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diff --git a/12346-h/12346-h.htm b/12346-h/12346-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d0502de --- /dev/null +++ b/12346-h/12346-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,11876 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" + content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of A Roman Singer, + by F. Marion Crawford. +</title> +<style type="text/css"> + <!-- + P { text-indent: 1em; + margin-left: 5%; + margin-right: 5%; + } + H1,H2,H3 { text-align: center; } + HR { width: 33%; } + .toc { margin-left: 15%; font-size: 0.9em; text-indent: 0em;} + .toc P { text-indent: 0em; } + // --> +</style> +</head> +<body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 12346 ***</div> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h1> + A ROMAN SINGER +</h1> +<h2> + F. MARION CRAWFORD +</h2> +<h3> +1909 +</h3> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<hr> +<div class="toc"> +<p><b><big>CONTENTS</big></b></p> +<p> +<a href="#chapter_1">CHAPTER I<br /></a> +<a href="#chapter_2">CHAPTER II<br /></a> +<a href="#chapter_3">CHAPTER III<br /></a> +<a href="#chapter_4">CHAPTER IV<br /></a> +<a href="#chapter_5">CHAPTER V<br /></a> +<a href="#chapter_6">CHAPTER VI<br /></a> +<a href="#chapter_7">CHAPTER VII<br /></a> +<a href="#chapter_8">CHAPTER VIII<br /></a> +<a href="#chapter_9">CHAPTER IX<br /></a> +<a href="#chapter_10">CHAPTER X<br /></a> +<a href="#chapter_11">CHAPTER XI<br /></a> +<a href="#chapter_12">CHAPTER XII<br /></a> +<a href="#chapter_13">CHAPTER XIII<br /></a> +<a href="#chapter_14">CHAPTER XIV<br /></a> +<a href="#chapter_15">CHAPTER XV<br /></a> +<a href="#chapter_16">CHAPTER XVI<br /></a> +<a href="#chapter_17">CHAPTER XVII<br /></a> +<a href="#chapter_18">CHAPTER XVIII<br /></a> +<a href="#chapter_19">CHAPTER XIX<br /></a> +<a href="#chapter_20">CHAPTER XX<br /></a> +<a href="#chapter_21">CHAPTER XXI<br /></a> +<a href="#chapter_22">CHAPTER XXII<br /></a> +<a href="#chapter_23">CHAPTER XXIII<br /></a> +<a href="#chapter_24">CHAPTER XXIV<br /></a> +</p></div> +<hr> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<center> + <a href="images/singer.jpg"> + <img src="images/singer_sm.jpg" width="386" height="600" border="0" + alt="Shut the door and double turned the lock."></a><br /> + 'Shut the door and double turned the lock.'—chap. XXI. +</center> +<a name="chapter_1"></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h3> + CHAPTER I +</h3> +<p> + I, Cornelio Grandi, who tell you these things, have a story of my own, + of which some of you are not ignorant. You know, for one thing, that I + was not always poor, nor always a professor of philosophy, nor a + scribbler of pedantic articles for a living. Many of you can remember + why I was driven to sell my patrimony, the dear castello in the + Sabines, with the good corn-land and the vineyards in the valley, and + the olives, too. For I am not old yet; at least, Mariuccia is older, + as I often tell her. These are queer times. It was not any fault of + mine. But now that Nino is growing to be a famous man in the world, + and people are saying good things and bad about him, and many say that + he did wrong in this matter, I think it best to tell you all the whole + truth and what I think of it. For Nino is just like a son to me; I + brought him up from a little child, and taught him Latin, and would + have made a philosopher of him. What could I do? He had so much voice + that he did not know what to do with it. +</p> +<p> + His mother used to sing. What a piece of a woman she was! She had a + voice like a man's, and when De Pretis brought his singers to the + festa once upon a time, when I was young, he heard her far down below, + as we walked on the terrace of the palazzo, and asked me if I would + not let him educate that young tenor. And when I told him it was one + of the contadine, the wife of a tenant of mine, he would not believe + it. But I never heard her sing after Serafino—that was her + husband—was killed at the fair in Genazzano. And one day the fevers + took her, and so she died, leaving Nino a little baby. Then you know + what happened to me, about that time, and how I sold Castel Serveti + and came to live here in Rome. Nino was brought to me here. One day in + the autumn a carrettiere from Serveti, who would sometimes stop at my + door and leave me a basket of grapes in the vintage, or a pitcher of + fresh oil in winter, because he never used to pay his house-rent when + I was his landlord—but he is a good fellow, Gigi—and so he tries to + make amends now; well, as I was saying, he came one day and gave me a + great basket of fine grapes, and he brought Nino with him, a little + boy of scarce six years—just to show him to me, he said. +</p> +<p> + He was an ugly little boy, with a hat of no particular shape and a + dirty face. He had great black eyes, with ink-saucers under them, + <i>calamai</i>, as we say, just as he has now. Only the eyes are bigger + now, and the circles deeper. But he is still sufficiently ugly. If it + were not for his figure, which is pretty good, he could never have + made a fortune with his voice. De Pretis says he could, but I do not + believe it. +</p> +<p> + Well, I made Gigi come in with Nino, and Mariuccia made them each a + great slice of toasted bread and spread it with oil, and gave Gigi a + glass of the Serveti wine, and little Nino had some with water. And + Mariuccia begged to have the child left with her till Gigi went back + the next day; for she is fond of children and comes from Serveti + herself. And that is how Nino came to live with us. That old woman has + no principles of economy, and she likes children. +</p> +<p> + "What does a little creature like that eat?" said she. "A bit of + bread, a little soup—macchè! You will never notice + it, I tell you. And the poor thing has been living on charity. + Just imagine whether you are not quite as able to feed him as Gigi + is!" So she persuaded me. But at first I did it to please her, for + I told her our proverb, which says there can be nothing so untidy + about a house as children and chickens. He was such a dirty little + boy, with only one shoe and a battered hat, and he was always + singing at the top of his voice, and throwing things into the well + in the cortile. +</p> +<p> + Mariuccia can read a little, though I never believed it until I found + her one day teaching Nino his letters out of the <i>Vite dei Santi</i>. + That was probably the first time that her reading was ever of any use + to her, and the last, for I think she knows the <i>Lives of the Saints</i> + by heart, and she will certainly not venture to read a new book at her + age. However, Nino very soon learned to know as much as she, and she + will always be able to say that she laid the foundation of his + education. He soon forgot to throw handfuls of mud into the well, and + Mariuccia washed him, and I bought him a pair of shoes, and we made + him look very decent. After a time he did not even remember to pull + the cat's tail in the morning, so as to make her sing with him, as he + said. When Mariuccia went to church she would take him with her, and + he seemed very fond of going, so that I asked him one day if he would + like to be a priest when he grew up, and wear beautiful robes, and + have pretty little boys to wait on him with censers in their hands. +</p> +<p> + "No," said the little urchin, stoutly, "I won't be a priest." He + found in his pocket a roast chestnut Mariuccia had given him, and + began to shell it. +</p> +<p> + "Why are you always so fond of going to church then?" I asked. +</p> +<p> + "If I were a big man," quoth he, "but really big, I would sing in + church, like Maestro De Pretis." +</p> +<p> + "What would you sing, Nino?" said I, laughing. He looked very grave, + and got a piece of brown paper and folded it up. Then he began to beat + time on my knees and sang out boldly, <i>Cornu ejus exaltabitur</i>. +</p> +<p> + It was enough to make one laugh, for he was only seven years old, and + ugly too. But Mariuccia, who was knitting in the hall-way, called out + that it was just what Maestro Ercole had sung the day before at + vespers, every syllable. +</p> +<p> + I have an old piano in my sitting-room. It is a masterpiece of an + instrument, I can tell you; for one of the legs is gone and I propped + it up with two empty boxes, and the keys are all black except those + that have lost the ivory—and those are green. It has also five + pedals, disposed as a harp underneath; but none of them make any + impression on the sound, except the middle one, which rings a bell. + The sound-board has a crack in it somewhere, Nino says, and two of the + notes are dumb since the great German maestro came home with my boy + one night, and insisted on playing an accompaniment after supper. We + had stewed chickens and a flask of Cesanese, I remember, and I knew + something would happen to the piano. But Nino would never have any + other, for De Pretis had a very good one; and Nino studies without + anything—just a common tuning-fork that he carries in his pocket. But + the old piano was the beginning of his fame. He got into the + sitting-room one day, by himself, and found out that he could make a + noise by striking the keys, and then he discovered that he could make + tunes, and pick out the ones that were always ringing in his head. + After that he could hardly be dragged away from it, so that I sent him + to school to have some quiet in the house. +</p> +<p> + He was a clever boy, and I taught him Latin and gave him our poets to + read; and as he grew up I would have made a scholar of him, but he + would not. At least, he was willing to learn and to read; but he was + always singing too. Once I caught him declaiming "Arma virumque cano" + to an air from Trovatore, and I knew he could never be a scholar then, + though he might know a great deal. Besides, he always preferred Dante + to Virgil, and Leopardi to Horace. +</p> +<p> + One day, when he was sixteen or thereabouts, he was making a noise, as + usual, shouting some motive or other to Mariuccia and the cat, while I + was labouring to collect my senses over a lecture I had to prepare. + Suddenly his voice cracked horribly and his singing ended in a sort of + groan. It happened again once or twice, the next day, and then the + house was quiet. I found him at night asleep over the old piano, his + eyes all wet with tears. +</p> +<p> + "What is the matter, Nino?" I asked. "It is time for youngsters like + you to be in bed." +</p> +<p> + "Ah, Messer Cornelio," he said, when he was awake, "I had better go to + bed, as you say. I shall never sing again, for my voice is all broken + to pieces"; and he sobbed bitterly. +</p> +<p> + "The saints be praised," thought I; "I shall make a philosopher of you + yet!" +</p> +<p> + But he would not be comforted, and for several months he went about as + if he were trying to find the moon, as we say; and though he read his + books and made progress, he was always sad and wretched, and grew + much thinner, so that Mariuccia said he was consuming himself, and I + thought he must be in love. But the house was very quiet. +</p> +<p> + I thought as he did, that he would never sing again, but I never + talked to him about it, lest he should try, now that he was as quiet + as a nightingale with its tongue cut out. But nature meant + differently, I suppose. One day De Pretis came to see me; it must have + been near the new year, for he never came often at that time. It was + only a friendly recollection of the days when I had a castello and a + church of my own at Serveti, and used to have him come from Rome to + sing at the festa, and he came every year to see me; and his head grew + bald as mine grew grey, so that at last he wears a black skull-cap + everywhere, like a priest, and only takes it off when he sings the + Gloria Patri, or at the Elevation. However, he came to see me, and + Nino sat mutely by, as we smoked a little and drank the syrup of + violets with water that Mariuccia brought us. It was one of her + eternal extravagances, but somehow, though she never understood the + value of economy, my professorship brought in more than enough for us, + and it was not long after this that I began to buy the bit of vineyard + out of Porta Salara, by instalments from my savings. And since then we + have our own wine. +</p> +<p> + De Pretis was talking to me about a new opera that he had heard. He + never sang except in church, of course, but he used to go to the + theatre of an evening; so it was quite natural that he should go to + the piano and begin to sing a snatch of the tenor air to me, + explaining the situation as he went along, between his singing. +</p> +<p> + Nino could not sit still, and went and leaned over Sor Ercole, as we + call the maestro, hanging on the notes, not daring to try and sing, + for he had lost his voice, but making the words with his lips. +</p> +<p> + "Dio mio!" he cried at last, "how I wish I could sing that!" +</p> +<p> + "Try it," said De Pretis, laughing and half interested by the boy's + earnest look. "Try it—I will sing it again." But Nino's face fell. +</p> +<p> + "It is no use," he said. "My voice is all broken to pieces now, + because I sang too much before." +</p> +<p> + "Perhaps it will come back," said the musician kindly, seeing the + tears in the young fellow's eyes. "See, we will try a scale." He + struck a chord. "Now, open your mouth—so—Do-o-o-o!" He sang a long + note. Nino could not resist any longer, whether he had any voice or + not. He blushed red and turned away, but he opened his mouth and made + a sound. +</p> +<p> + "Do-o-o-o!" He sang like the master, but much weaker. +</p> +<p> + "Not so bad; now the next, Re-e-e!" Nino followed him. And so on, up + the scale. +</p> +<p> + After a few more notes, De Pretis ceased to smile, and cried, "Go on, + go on!" after every note, authoritatively, and in quite a different + manner from his first kindly encouragement. Nino, who had not sung for + months, took courage and a long breath, and went on as he was bid, his + voice gaining volume and clearness as he sang higher. Then De Pretis + stopped and looked at him earnestly. +</p> +<p> + "You are mad," he said. "You have not lost your voice at all." +</p> +<p> + "It was quite different when I used to sing before," said the boy. +</p> +<p> + "Per Bacco, I should think so," said the maestro. "Your voice has + changed. Sing something, can't you?" +</p> +<p> + Nino sang a church air he had caught somewhere. I never heard such a + voice, but it gave me a queer sensation that I liked—it was so true, + and young, and clear. De Pretis sat open-mouthed with astonishment + and admiration. When the boy had finished, he stood looking at the + maestro, blushing very scarlet, and altogether ashamed of himself. The + other did not speak. +</p> +<p> + "Excuse me," said Nino, "I cannot sing. I have not sung for a long + time. I know it is not worth anything." De Pretis recovered himself. +</p> +<p> + "You do not sing," said he, "because you have not learned. But you + can. If you will let me teach you, I will do it for nothing." +</p> +<p> + "Me!" screamed Nino, "you teach <i>me</i>! Ah, if it were any use—if you + only would!" +</p> +<p> + "Any use?" repeated De Pretis half aloud, as he bit his long black + cigar half through in his excitement. "Any use? My dear boy, do + you know that you have a very good voice? A remarkable voice," he + continued, carried away by his admiration, "such a voice as I have + never heard. You can be the first tenor of your age, if you please—in + three years you will sing anything you like, and go to London and + Paris, and be a great man. Leave it to me." +</p> +<p> + I protested that it was all nonsense, that Nino was meant for a + scholar and not for the stage, and I was quite angry with De Pretis + for putting such ideas into the boy's head. But it was of no use. You + cannot argue with women and singers, and they always get their own way + in the end. And whether I liked it or not, Nino began to go to Sor + Ercole's house once or twice a week, and sang scales and exercises + very patiently, and copied music in the evening, because he said he + would not be dependent on me, since he could not follow my wishes in + choosing a profession. De Pretis did not praise him much to his face + after they had begun to study, but he felt sure he would succeed. +</p> +<p> + "Caro Conte,"—he often calls me Count, though I am only plain + Professore, now—"he has a voice like a trumpet and the patience of + all the angels. He will be a great singer." +</p> +<p> + "Well, it is not my fault," I used to answer; for what could I do? +</p> +<p> + When you see Nino now, you cannot imagine that he was ever a dirty + little boy from the mountains, with one shoe, and that infamous little + hat. I think he is ugly still, though you do not think so when he is + singing, and he has good strong limbs and broad shoulders, and carries + himself like a soldier. Besides, he is always very well dressed, + though he has no affectations. He does not wear his hair plastered + into a love-lock on his forehead, like some of our dandies, nor is he + eternally pulling a pair of monstrous white cuffs over his hands. + Everything is very neat about him and very quiet, so that you would + hardly think he was an artist after all; and he talks but little, + though he can talk very well when he likes, for he has not forgotten + his Dante nor his Leopardi. De Pretis says the reason he sings so well + is because he has a mouth like the slit in an organ pipe, as wide as a + letter-box at the post-office. But I think he has succeeded because he + has great square jaws like Napoleon. People like that always succeed. + My jaw is small, and my chin is pointed under my beard—but then, with + the beard, no one can see it. But Mariuccia knows. +</p> +<p> + Nino is a thoroughly good boy, and until a year ago he never cared for + anything but his art; and now he cares for something, I think, a great + deal better than art, even than art like his. But he is a singer + still, and always will be, for he has an iron throat, and never was + hoarse in his life. All those years when he was growing up, he never + had a love-scrape, or owed money, or wasted his time in the caffè. +</p> +<p> + "Take care," Mariuccia used to say to me, "if he ever takes a fancy to + some girl with blue eyes and fair hair he will be perfectly crazy. Ah, + Sor Conte, <i>she</i> had blue eyes, and her hair was like the corn-silk. + How many years is that, Sor Conte mio?" Mariuccia is an old witch. +</p> +<p> + I am writing this story to tell you why Mariuccia is a witch, and why + my Nino, who never so much as looked at the beauties of the generone, + as they came with their fathers and brothers and mothers to eat + ice-cream in the Piazza Colonna, and listen to the music of a summer's + evening,—Nino, who stared absently at the great ladies as they rolled + over the Pincio, in their carriages, and was whistling airs to himself + for practice when he strolled along the Corso, instead of looking out + for pretty faces,—Nino, the cold in all things save in music, why he + fulfilled Mariuccia's prophecy, little by little, and became perfectly + crazy about blue eyes and fair hair. That is what I am going to tell + you, if you have the leisure to listen. And you ought to know it, + because evil tongues are more plentiful than good voices in Rome, + as elsewhere, and people are saying many spiteful things about + him—though they clap loudly enough at the theatre when he sings. +</p> +<p> + He is like a son to me, and perhaps I am reconciled, after all, to his + not having become a philosopher. He would never have been so famous + as he is now, and <i>he</i> really knows so much more than Maestro De + Pretis—in other ways than music—that he is very presentable indeed. + What is blood, nowadays? What difference does it make to society + whether Nino Cardegna, the tenor was the son of a vine-dresser? Or + what does the University care for the fact that I, Cornelio Grandi, am + the last of a race as old as the Colonnas, and quite as honourable? + What does Mariuccia care? What does anybody care? Corpo di Bacco! if + we begin talking of race we shall waste as much time as would make us + all great celebrities! I am not a celebrity—I never shall be now, + for a man must begin at that trade young. It is a profession—being + celebrated—and it has its signal advantages. Nino will tell you so, + and he has tried it. But one must begin young, very young! I cannot + begin again. +</p> +<p> + And then, as you all know, I never began at all. I took up life in the + middle, and am trying hard to twist a rope of which I never held the + other end. I feel sometimes as though it must be the life of another + that I have taken, leaving my own unfinished, for I was never meant to + be a professor. That is the way of it; and if I am sad and inclined to + melancholy humours, it is because I miss my old self, and he seems to + have left me without even a kindly word at parting. I was fond of my + old self, but I did not respect him much. And my present self I + respect, without fondness. Is that metaphysics? Who knows? It is + vanity in either case, and the vanity of self-respect is perhaps a + more dangerous thing than the vanity of self-love, though you may call + it pride if you like, or give it any other high-sounding title. But + the heart of the vain man is lighter than the heart of the proud. + Probably Nino has always had much self-respect, but I doubt if it has + made him very happy—until lately. True, he has genius, and does what + he must by nature do or die, whereas I have not even talent, and I + make myself do for a living what I can never do well. What does it + serve, to make comparisons? I could never have been like Nino, though + I believe half my pleasure of late has been in fancying how I should + feel in his place, and living through his triumphs by my imagination. + Nino began at the very beginning, and when all his capital was one + shoe and a ragged hat, and certainly not more than a third of a shirt, + he said he would be a great singer; and he is, though he is scarcely + of age yet. I wish it had been something else than a singer, but since + he is the first already, it was worth while. He would have been great + in anything, though, for he has such a square jaw, and he looks so + fierce when anything needs to be overcome. Our forefathers must have + looked like that, with their broad eagle noses and iron mouths. They + began at the beginning, too, and they went to the very end. I wish + Nino had been a general, or a statesman, or a cardinal, or all three + like Richelieu. +</p> +<p> + But you want to hear of Nino, and you can pass on your ways, all of + you, without hearing my reflections and small-talk about goodness, + and success, and the like. Moreover, since I respect myself now, I + must not find so much fault with my own doings, or you will say that + I am in my dotage. And, truly, Nino Cardegna is a better man, for all + his peasant blood, than I ever was; a better lover, and perhaps a + better hater. There is his guitar, that he always leaves here, and it + reminds me of him and his ways. Fourteen years he lived here with me, + from child to boy and from boy to man, and now he is gone, never to + live here any more. The end of it will be that I shall go and live + with him, and Mariuccia will take her cat and her knitting, and her + <i>Lives of the Saints</i> back to Serveti, to end her life in peace, + where there are no professors and no singers. For Mariuccia is older + than I am, and she will die before me. At all events, she will take + her tongue with her, and ruin herself at her convenience without + ruining me. I wonder what life would be without Mariuccia? Would + anybody darn my stockings, or save the peel of the mandarins to make + cordial? I certainly would not have the mandarins if she were + gone—it is a luxury. No, I would not have them. But then, there + would be no cordial, and I should have to buy new stockings every + year or two. No, the mandarins cost less than the stockings—and—well, + I suppose I am fond of Mariuccia. +</p> +<a name="chapter_2"></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h3> + CHAPTER II +</h3> +<p> + It was really not so long ago—only one year. The sirocco was blowing + up and down the streets, and about the corners, with its sickening + blast, making us all feel like dead people, and hiding away the sun + from us. It is no use trying to do anything when it blows sirocco, at + least for us who are born here. But I had been persuaded to go with + Nino to the house of Sor Ercole to hear my boy sing the opera he had + last studied, and so I put my cloak over my shoulders, and wrapped its + folds over my breast, and covered my mouth, and we went out. For it + was a cold sirocco, bringing showers of tepid rain from the south, and + the drops seemed to chill themselves as they fell. One moment you are + in danger of being too cold, and the next minute the perspiration + stands on your forehead, and you are oppressed with a moist heat. Like + the prophet, when it blows a real sirocco you feel as if you were + poured out like water, and all your bones were out of joint. + Foreigners do not feel it until they have lived with us a few years, + but Romans are like dead men when the wind is in that quarter. +</p> +<p> + I went to the maestro's house and sat for two hours listening to the + singing. Nino sang very creditably, I thought, but I allow that I + was not as attentive as I might have been, for I was chilled and + uncomfortable. Nevertheless, I tried to be very appreciative, and I + complimented the boy on the great progress he had made. When I thought + of it, it struck me that I had never heard anybody sing like that + before; but still there was something lacking; I thought it sounded a + little unreal, and I said to myself that he would get admiration, but + never any sympathy. So clear, so true, so rich it was, but wanting a + ring to it, the little thrill that goes to the heart. He sings very + differently now. +</p> +<p> + Maestro Ercole De Pretis lives in the Via Paola, close to the Ponte + Sant' Angelo, in a most decent little house—that is, of course, on a + floor of a house, as we all do. But De Pretis is well-to-do, and he + has a marble door plate, engraved in black with his name, and two + sitting-rooms. They are not very large rooms, it is true, but in + one of them he gives his lessons, and the grand piano fills it up + entirely, so that you can only sit on the little black horsehair sofa + at the end, and it is very hard to get past the piano on either side. + Ercole is as broad as he is long, and takes snuff when he is not + smoking. But it never hurts his voice. +</p> +<p> + It was Sunday, I remember, for he had to sing in St. Peter's in the + afternoon; and it was so near, we walked over with him. Nino had never + lost his love for church music, though he had made up his mind that it + was a much finer thing to be a primo tenore assoluto at the Apollo + Theatre than to sing in the Pope's choir for thirty scudi a month. We + walked along over the bridge, and through the Borgo Nuovo, and across + the Piazza Rusticucci, and then we skirted the colonnade on the left, + and entered the church by the sacristy, leaving De Pretis there to put + on his purple cassock and his white cotta. Then we went into the + Capella del Coro to wait for the vespers. +</p> +<p> + All sorts of people go to St. Peter's on Sunday afternoon, but they + are mostly foreigners, and bring strange little folding chairs, and + arrange themselves to listen to the music as though it were a concert. + Now and then one of the young gentlemen-in-waiting from the Vatican + strolls in and says his prayers, and there is an old woman, very + ragged and miserable, who has haunted the chapel of the choir for many + years, and sits with perfect unconcern, telling her beads at the foot + of the great reading-desk that stands out in the middle and is never + used. Great ladies crowd in through the gate when Raimondi's hymn is + to be sung, and disreputable artists make sketches surreptitiously + during the benediction, without the slightest pretence at any devotion + that I can see. The lights shine out more brightly as the day wanes, + and the incense curls up as the little boys swing the censers, and the + priests and canons chant, and the choir answers from the organ loft; + and the crowd looks on, some saying their prayers, some pretending to, + and some looking about for the friend or lover they have come to meet. +</p> +<p> + That evening when we went over together I found myself pushed against + a tall man with an immense gray moustache standing out across his face + like the horns of a beetle. He looked down on me from time to time, + and when I apologised for crowding him his face flushed a little, and + he tried to bow as well as he could in the press, and said something + with a German accent which seemed to be courteous. But I was separated + from Nino by him. Maestro Ercole sang, and all the others, turn and + turn about, and so at last it came to the benediction. The tall old + foreigner stood erect and unbending, but most of the people around him + kneeled. As the crowd sank down I saw that on the other side of him + sat a lady on a small folding stool, her feet crossed one over the + other, and her hands folded on her knees. She was dressed entirely in + black, and her fair face stood out wonderfully clear and bright + against the darkness. Truly she looked more like an angel than a + woman, though perhaps you will think she is not so beautiful after + all, for she is so unlike our Roman ladies. She has a delicate nose, + full of sentiment, and pointed a little downward for pride; she has + deep blue eyes, wide apart and dreamy, and a little shaded by brows + that are quite level and even, with a straight pencilling over them, + that looks really as if it were painted. Her lips are very red and + gentle, and her face is very white, so that the little ringlet that + has escaped control looks like a gold tracery on a white marble + ground. +</p> +<p> + And there she sat with the last light from the tall windows and the + first from the great wax candles shining on her, while all around + seemed dark by contrast. She looked like an angel; and quite as cold, + perhaps most of you would say. Diamonds are cold things, too, but they + shine in the dark; whereas a bit of glass just lets the light through + it, even if it is coloured red and green and put in a church window, + and looks ever so much warmer than the diamond. +</p> +<p> + But though I saw her beauty and the light of her face, all in a + moment, as though it had been a dream, I saw Nino, too; for I had + missed him, and had supposed he had gone to the organ loft with De + Pretis. But now, as the people kneeled to the benediction, imagine a + little what he did; he just dropped on his knees with his face to the + white lady, and his back to the procession; it was really disgraceful, + and if it had been lighter I am sure everyone would have noticed it. + At all events, there he knelt, not three feet from the lady, looking + at her as if his heart would break. But I do not believe she saw him, + for she never looked his way. Afterwards everybody got up again, and + we hurried to get out of the Chapel; but I noticed that the tall old + foreigner gave his arm to the beautiful lady, and when they had pushed + their way through the gate that leads into the body of the church, + they did not go away but stood aside for the crowd to pass. Nino + said he would wait for De Pretis, and immediately turned his whole + attention to the foreign girl, hiding himself in the shadow and never + taking his eyes from her. +</p> +<p> + I never saw Nino look at a woman before as though she interested him + in the least, or I would not have been surprised now to see him lost + in admiration of the fair girl. I was close to him and could see his + face, and it had a new expression on it that I did not know. The + people were almost gone and the lights were being extinguished when De + Pretis came round the corner, looking for us. But I was astonished to + see him bow low to the foreigner and the young lady, and then stop and + enter into conversation with them. They spoke quite audibly, and it + was about a lesson that the young lady had missed. She spoke like a + Roman, but the old gentleman made himself understood in a series of + stiff phrases, which he fired out of his mouth like discharges of + musketry. +</p> +<p> + "Who are they?" whispered Nino to me, breathless with excitement and + trembling from head to foot. "Who are they, and how does the maestro + know them?" +</p> +<p> + "Eh, caro mio, what am I to know?" I answered indifferently. "They are + some foreigners, some pupil of De Pretis, and her father. How should I + know?" +</p> +<p> + "She is a Roman," said Nino between his teeth. "I have heard + foreigners talk. The old man is a foreigner, but she—she is Roman," + he repeated with certainty. +</p> +<p> + "Eh," said I, "for my part she may be Chinese. The stars will not fall + on that account." You see, I thought he had seen her before, and I + wanted to exasperate him by my indifference so that he should tell me; + but he would not, and indeed I found out afterwards that he had + really never seen her before. +</p> +<p> + Presently the lady and gentleman went away, and we called De Pretis, + for he could not see us in the gloom. Nino became very confidential + and linked an arm in his as we went away. +</p> +<p> + "Who are they, caro maestro, these enchanting people?" inquired the + boy when they had gone a few steps, and I was walking by Nino's side, + and we were all three nearing the door. +</p> +<p> + "Foreigners—my foreigners," returned the singer proudly, as he took a + colossal pinch of snuff. He seemed to say that he in his profession + was constantly thrown with people like that, whereas I—oh, I, of + course, was always occupied with students and poor devils who had no + voice, nothing but brains. +</p> +<p> + "But she," objected Nino,—"she is Roman, I am sure of it." +</p> +<p> + "Eh," said Ercole, "you know how it is. These foreigners marry and + come here and live, and their children are born here; and they grow up + and call themselves Romans, as proudly as you please. But they are not + really Italians, any more than the Shah of Persia." The maestro smiled + a pitying smile. He is a Roman of Rome, and his great nose scorns + pretenders. In his view Piedmontese, Tuscans, and Neapolitans are as + much foreigners as the Germans or the English. More so, for he likes + the Germans and tolerates the English, but he can call an enemy by no + worse name than "Napoletano" or "Piemontese." +</p> +<p> + "Then they live here?" cried Nino in delight. +</p> +<p> + "Surely." +</p> +<p> + "In fine, maestro mio, who are they?" +</p> +<p> + "What a diavolo of a boy! Dio mio!" and Ercole laughed under his big + moustache, which is black still. But he is bald, all the same, and + wears a skull-cap. +</p> +<p> + "Diavolo as much as you please, but I will know," said Nino sullenly. +</p> +<p> + "Oh bene! Now do not disquiet yourself, Nino—I will tell you all + about them. She is a pupil of mine, and I go to their house in the + Corso and give her lessons." +</p> +<p> + "And then?" asked Nino impatiently. +</p> +<p> + "Who goes slowly goes surely," said the maestro sententiously; and he + stopped to light a cigar as black and twisted as his moustache. Then + he continued, standing still in the middle of the piazza to talk at + his ease, for it had stopped raining and the air was moist and sultry, + "They are Prussians, you must know. The old man is a colonel, retired, + pensioned, everything you like, wounded at Königgratz by the + Austrians. His wife was delicate, and he brought her to live here long + before he left the service, and the signorina was born here. He has + told me about it, and he taught me to pronounce the name Königgratz, + so—Conigherazzo," said the maestro proudly, "and that is how I know." +</p> +<p> + "Capperi! What a mouthful," said I. +</p> +<p> + "You may well say that, Sor Conte, but singing teaches us all + languages. You would have found it of great use in your studies." I + pictured to myself a quarter of an hour of Schopenhauer, with a piano + accompaniment and some one beating time. +</p> +<p> + "But their name, their name I want to know," objected Nino, as he + stepped aside and flattened himself against the pillar to let a + carriage pass. As luck would have it, the old officer and his daughter + were in that very cab, and Nino could just make them out by the + evening twilight. He took off his hat, of course, but I am quite sure + they did not see him. +</p> +<p> + "Well, their name is prettier than Conigherazzo," said Ercole. "It is + Lira—Erre Gheraffe fonne Lira." (Herr Graf von Lira, I suppose he + meant. And he has the impudence to assert that singing has taught him + to pronounce German.) "And that means," he continued, "Il Conte di + Lira, as we should say." +</p> +<p> + "Ah! what a divine appellation!" exclaimed Nino enthusiastically, + pulling his hat over his eyes to meditate upon the name at his + leisure. +</p> +<p> + "And her name is Edvigia," volunteered the maestro. That is the + Italian for Hedwig, or Hadwig, you know. But we should shorten it and + call her Gigia just as though she were Luisa. Nino does not think it + so pretty. Nino was silent. Perhaps he was always shy of repeating the + familiar name of the first woman he had ever loved. Imagine! At twenty + he had never been in love! It is incredible to me,—and one of our own + people, too, born at Serveti. +</p> +<p> + Meanwhile the maestro's cigar had gone out, and he lit it with a + blazing sulphur match before he continued; and we all walked on again. + I remember it all very distinctly, because it was the beginning + of Nino's madness. Especially I call to mind his expression of + indifference when Ercole began to descant upon the worldly possessions + of the Lira household. It seemed to me that if Nino so seriously cast + his eyes on the Contessina Edvigia, he might at least have looked + pleased to hear she was so rich; or he might have looked disappointed, + if he thought that her position was an obstacle in his way. But he did + not care about it at all, and walked straight on, humming a little + tune through his nose with his mouth shut, for he does everything to a + tune. +</p> +<p> + "They are certainly gran' signor," Ercole said. "They live on the + first floor of the Palazzo Carmandola,—you know, in the Corso—and + they have a carriage, and keep two men in livery, just like a Roman + prince. Besides, the count once sent me a bottle of wine at Christmas. + It was as weak as water, and tasted like the solfatara of Tivoli, but + it came from his own vineyard in Germany, and was at least fifty years + old. If he has a vineyard, he has a castello, of course. And if he has + a castello, he is a gran' signor,—eh? what do you think, Sor Conte? + You know about such things." +</p> +<p> + "I did once, maestro mio. It is very likely." +</p> +<p> + "And as for the wine being sour, it was because it was so old. I am + sure the Germans cannot make wine well. They are not used to drinking + it good, or they would not drink so much when they come here." We were + crossing the bridge, and nearing Ercole's house. +</p> +<p> + "Maestro," said Nino, suddenly. He had not spoken for some time, and + he had finished his tune. +</p> +<p> + "Well?" +</p> +<p> + "Is not to-morrow our day for studying?" +</p> +<p> + "Diavolo! I gave you two hours to-day. Have you forgotten?" +</p> +<p> + "Ah,—it is true. But give me a lesson to-morrow, like a good maestro + as you are. I will sing like an angel if you will give me a lesson + to-morrow." +</p> +<p> + "Well, if you like to come at seven in the morning, and if you promise + to sing nothing but solfeggi of Bordogni for an hour, and not to + strain your voice, or put too much vinegar in your salad at supper, I + will think about it. Does that please you? Conte, don't let him eat + too much vinegar." +</p> +<p> + "I will do all that if I may come," said Nino readily, though he would + rather not sing at all, at most times, than sing Bordogni, De Pretis + tells me. +</p> +<p> + "Meglio cosi,—so much the better. Good-night, Sor Conte. Good-night, + Nino." And so he turned down the Via Paola, and Nino and I went our + way. I stopped to buy a cigar at the little tobacco shop just opposite + the Tordinona Theatre. They used to be only a baiocco apiece, and I + could get one at a time. But now they are two for three baiocchi; and + so I have to get two always, because there are no half baiocchi any + more—nothing but centimes. That is one of the sources of my + extravagance. Mariuccia says I am miserly; she was born poor, and + never had to learn the principles of economy. +</p> +<p> + "Nino mio," I said, as we went along, "you really make me laugh." +</p> +<p> + "Which is to say—" He was humming a tune again, and was cross because + I interrupted him. +</p> +<p> + "You are in love. Do not deny it. You are already planning how you can + make the acquaintance of the foreign contessa. You are a fool. Go + home, and get Mariuccia to give you some syrup of tamarind to cool + your blood." +</p> +<p> + "Well? Now tell me, were you never in love with anyone yourself?" he + asked, by way of answer; and I could see the fierce look come into his + eyes in the dark as he said it. +</p> +<p> + "Altro,—that is why I laugh at you. When I was your age I had been in + love twenty times. But I never fell in love at first sight—and with a + doll; really a wax doll, you know, like the Madonna in the presepio + that they set up at the Ara Coeli, at Epiphany." +</p> +<p> + "A doll!" he cried. "Who is a doll, if you please?" We stopped at the + corner of the street to argue it out. +</p> +<p> + "Do you think she is really alive?" I asked, laughing. Nino disdained + to answer me, but he looked savagely from under the brim of his hat. + "Look here," I continued, "women like that are only made to be looked + at. They never love, for they have no hearts. It is lucky if they + have souls, like Christians." +</p> +<p> + "I will tell you what I think," said he stoutly; "she is an angel." +</p> +<p> + "Oh! is that all? Did you ever hear of an angel being married?" +</p> +<p> + "You shall hear of it, Sor Cornelio, and before long. I swear to you, + here, that I will marry the Contessina di Lira—if that is her + name—before two years are out. Ah, you do not believe me. Very well. + I have nothing more to say." +</p> +<p> + "My dear son," said I,—for he is a son to me,—"you are talking + nonsense. How can anybody in your position hope to marry a great lady, + who is an heiress? Is it not true that it is all stuff and nonsense?" +</p> +<p> + "No, it is not true," cried Nino, setting his square jaw like a bit + and speaking through his teeth. "I am ugly, you say; I am dark, and I + have no position, or wealth, or anything of the kind. I am the son of + a peasant and of a peasant's wife. I am anything you please, but I + will marry her if I say I will. Do you think it is for nothing that + you have taught me the language of Dante, of Petrarca, of Silvio + Pellico? Do you think it is for nothing that Heaven has given me my + voice? Do not the angels love music, and cannot I make as good songs + as they? Or do you think that because I am bred a singer my hand is + not as strong as a fine gentleman's—contadino as I am? I will—I will + and I will, Basta!" +</p> +<p> + I never saw him look like that before. He had folded his arms, and he + nodded his head a little at each repetition of the word, looking at me + so hard, as we stood under the gas lamp in the street, that I was + obliged to turn my eyes away. He stared me out of countenance—he, a + peasant boy! Then we walked on. +</p> +<p> + "And as for her being a wax doll, as you call her," he continued + after a little time, "that is nonsense, if you want the word to be + used. Truly, a doll! And the next minute you compare her to the + Madonna! I am sure she has a heart as big as this," and he stretched + out his hands into the air. "I can see it in her eyes. Ah, what eyes!" +</p> +<p> + I saw it was no use arguing on that tack, and I felt quite sure that + he would forget all about it, though he looked so determined, and + talked so grandly about his will. +</p> +<p> + "Nino," I said, "I am older than you." I said this to impress him, of + course, for I am not really so very old. +</p> +<p> + "Diamini!" he cried impertinently, "I believe it!" +</p> +<p> + "Well, well, do not be impatient. I have seen something in my time, + and I tell you those foreign women are not like ours, a whit. I fell + in love, once, with a northern fairy,—she was not German, but she + came from Lombardy, you see,—and that is the reason why I lost + Serveti and all the rest." +</p> +<p> + "But I have no Serveti to lose," objected Nino. +</p> +<p> + "You have a career as a musician to lose. It is not much of a career + to be stamping about with a lot of figuranti and scene-shifters, and + screaming yourself hoarse every night." I was angry because he laughed + at my age. "But it is a career, after all, that you have chosen for + yourself. If you get mixed up in an intrigue now, you may ruin + yourself. I hope you will." +</p> +<p> + "Grazie! And then?" +</p> +<p> + "Eh, it might not be such a bad thing after all. For if you could be + induced to give up the stage—" +</p> +<p> + "I—<i>I</i> give up singing?" he cried, indignantly. +</p> +<p> + "Oh, such things happen, you know. If you were to give it up, as I was + saying, you might then possibly use your mind. A mind is a much + better thing than a throat, after all." +</p> +<p> + "Ebbene! talk as much as you please, for, of course, you have the + right, for you have brought me up, and you have certainly opposed my + singing enough to quiet your conscience. But, dear professor, I will + do all that I say, and if you will give me a little help in this + matter, you will not repent it." +</p> +<p> + "Help? Dio mio! What do you take me for? As if I could help you, or + would! I suppose you want money to make yourself a dandy, a piano, to + go and stand at the corner of the Piazza Colonna and ogle her as she + goes by! In truth! You have fine projects." +</p> +<p> + "No," said Nino quietly, "I do not want any money or anything else at + present, thank you. And do not be angry, but come into the caffè and + drink some lemonade; and I will invite you to it, for I have been paid + for my last copying that I sent in yesterday." He put his arm in mine, + and we went in. There is no resisting Nino when he is affectionate. + But I would not let him pay for the lemonade. I paid for it myself. + What extravagance! +</p> +<a name="chapter_3"></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h3> + CHAPTER III +</h3> +<p> + Now I ought to tell you that many things in this story were only told + me quite lately, for at first I would not help Nino at all, thinking + it was but a foolish fancy of his boy's heart and would soon pass. I + have tried to gather and to order all the different incidents into one + harmonious whole, so that you can follow the story; and you must not + wonder that I can describe some things that I did not see, and that I + know how some of the people felt; for Nino and I have talked over the + whole matter very often, and the baroness came here and told me her + share, though I wonder how she could talk so plainly of what must have + given her so much pain. But it was very kind of her to come; and she + sat over there in the old green arm-chair by the glass case that has + the artificial flowers under it, and the sugar lamb that the padre + curato gave Nino when he made his first communion at Easter. However, + it is not time to speak of the baroness yet, but I cannot forget her. +</p> +<p> + Nino was very amusing when he began to love the young countess, and + the very first morning—the day after we had been to St. Peter's—he + went out at half-past six, though it was only just sunrise, for we + were in October. I knew very well that he was going for his extra + lesson with De Pretis, but I had nothing to say about it, and I only + recommended him to cover himself well, for the sirocco had passed and + it was a bright morning, with a clear tramontana wind blowing fresh + from the north. I can always tell when it is a tramontana wind before + I open my window, for Mariuccia makes such a clattering with the + coffee-pot in the kitchen, and the goldfinch in the sitting-room sings + very loud; which he never does if it is cloudy. Nino, then, went off + to Maestro Ercole's house for his singing, and this is what happened + there. +</p> +<p> + De Pretis knew perfectly well that Nino had only asked for the extra + lesson in order to get a chance of talking about the Contessina di + Lira, and so, to tease him, as soon as he appeared, the maestro made a + great bustle about singing scales, and insisted on beginning at once. + Moreover, he pretended to be in a bad humour; and that is always + pretence with him. +</p> +<p> + "Ah, my little tenor," he began; "you want a lesson at seven in the + morning, do you? That is the time when all the washerwomen sing at the + fountain! Well, you shall have a lesson, and by the body of Bacchus it + shall be a real lesson! Now, then! Andiamo—Do-o-o!" and he roared out + a great note that made the room shake, and a man who was selling + cabbage in the street stopped his hand-cart and mimicked him for five + minutes. +</p> +<p> + "But I am out of breath, maestro," protested Nino, who wanted to talk. +</p> +<p> + "Out of breath? A singer is never out of breath. Absurd! What would + you do if you got out of breath, say, in the last act of <i>Lucia</i>, + so—Bell'alma ado—?? Then your breath ends, eh? Will you stay with + the 'adored soul' between your teeth? A fine singer you will make! + Andiamo! Do-o-o!" +</p> +<p> + Nino saw he must begin, and he set up a shout, much against his will, + so that the cabbage-vendor chimed in, making so much noise that the + old woman who lives opposite opened her window and emptied a great + dustpan full of potato peelings and refuse leaves of lettuce right on + his head. And then there was a great noise. But the maestro paid no + attention, and went on with the scale, hardly giving Nino time to + breathe. Nino, who stood behind De Pretis while he sang, saw the copy + of Bordogni's solfeggi lying on a chair, and managed to slip it under + a pile of music near by, singing so lustily all the while that the + maestro never looked round. +</p> +<p> + When he got to the end of the scale Ercole began hunting for the + music, and as he could not find it, Nino asked him questions. +</p> +<p> + "Can she sing,—this contessina of yours, maestro?" De Pretis was + overturning everything in his search. +</p> +<p> + "An apoplexy on those solfeggi and on the man who made them!" he + cried. "Sing, did you say? Yes, a great deal better than you ever + will. Why can you not look for your music, instead of chattering?" + Nino began to look where he knew it was not. +</p> +<p> + "By the by, do you give her lessons every day?" asked the boy. +</p> +<p> + "Every day? Am I crazy, to ruin people's voices like that?" +</p> +<p> + "Caro maestro, what is the matter with you this morning? You have + forgotten to say your prayers!" +</p> +<p> + "You are a donkey, Nino; here he is, this blessed Bordogni,—now + come." +</p> +<p> + "Sor Ercole mio," said Nino in despair, "I must really know something + about this angel, before I sing at all." Ercole sat down on the piano + stool, and puffed up his cheeks, and heaved a tremendous sigh, to show + how utterly bored he was by his pupil. Then he took a large pinch of + snuff, and sighed again. +</p> +<p> + "What demon have you got into your head?" he asked, at length. +</p> +<p> + "What angel, you mean," answered Nino, delighted at having forced the + maestro to a parley. "I am in love with her—crazy about her," he + cried, running his fingers through his curly hair, "and you must help + me to see her. You can easily take me to her house to sing duets as + part of her lesson. I tell you I have not slept a wink all night for + thinking of her, and unless I see her I shall never sleep again as + long as I live. Ah!" he cried, putting his hands on Ercole's + shoulders, "you do not know what it is to be in love! How everything + one touches is fire, and the sky is like lead, and one minute you are + cold and one minute you are hot, and you may turn and turn on your + pillow all night and never sleep, and you want to curse everybody you + see, or to embrace them, it makes no difference—anything to express + the—" +</p> +<p> + "Devil! and may he carry you off!" interrupted Ercole, laughing. But + his manner changed. "Poor fellow," he said presently, "it appears to + me you are in love." +</p> +<p> + "It appears to you, does it? 'Appears'—a beautiful word, in faith. I + can tell you it appears to me so, too. Ah! it 'appears' to you—very + good indeed!" And Nino waxed wroth. +</p> +<p> + "I will give you some advice, Ninetto mio. Do not fall in love with + anyone. It always ends badly." +</p> +<p> + "You come late with your counsel, Sor Ercole. In truth, a very good + piece of advice when a man is fifty, and married, and wears a + skull-cap. When I wear a skull-cap and take snuff I will follow your + instructions." He walked up and down the room, grinding his teeth, and + clapping his hands together. Ercole rose and stopped him. +</p> +<p> + "Let us talk seriously," he said. +</p> +<p> + "With all my heart; as seriously as you please." +</p> +<p> + "You have only seen this signorina once." +</p> +<p> + "Once!" cried Nino,—"as if once were not—" +</p> +<p> + "Diavolo; let me speak. You have only seen her once. She is noble, an + heiress, a great lady—worse than all, a foreigner; as beautiful as a + statue, if you please, but twice as cold. She has a father who knows + the proprieties, a piece of iron, I tell you, who would kill you just + as he would drink a glass of wine, with the greatest indifference, if + he suspected you lifted your eyes to his daughter." +</p> +<p> + "I do not believe your calumnies," said Nino still hotly, "She is not + cold, and if I can see her she will listen to me. I am sure of it." +</p> +<p> + "We will speak of that by and by. You—what are you? Nothing but a + singer, who has not even appeared before the public, without a baiocco + in the world or anything else but your voice. You are not even + handsome." +</p> +<p> + "What difference does that make to a woman of heart?" retorted Nino + angrily. "Let me only speak to her—" +</p> +<p> + "A thousand devils!" exclaimed De Pretis impatiently; "what good will + you do by speaking to her? Are you Dante, or Petrarca, or a + preacher—what are you? Do you think you can have a great lady's hand + for the asking? Do you flatter yourself that you are so eloquent that + nobody can withstand you?" +</p> +<p> + "Yes," said Nino, boldly. "If I could only speak to her—" +</p> +<p> + "Then in heaven's name, go and speak to her. Get a new hat and a pair + of lavender gloves, and walk about the Villa Borghese until you meet + her, and then throw yourself on your knees and kiss her feet, and the + dust from her shoes; and say you are dying for her, and will she be + good enough to walk as far as Santa Maria del Popolo and be married to + you! That is all; you see it is nothing you ask—a mere politeness on + her part—oh, nothing, nothing." And De Pretis rubbed his hands and + smiled, and seeing that Nino did not answer, he blew his nose with his + great blue cotton handkerchief. +</p> +<p> + "You have no heart at all, maestro," said Nino at last. "Let us sing." +</p> +<p> + They worked hard at Bordogni for half an hour, and Nino did not open + his mouth except to produce the notes. But as his blood was up from + the preceding interview he took great pains, and Ercole, who makes him + sing all the solfeggi he can from a sense of duty, himself wearied of + the ridiculous old-fashioned runs and intervals. +</p> +<p> + "Bene," he said; "let us sing a piece now, and then you will have done + enough." He put an opera on the piano, and Nino lifted up his voice + and sang, only too glad to give his heart passage to his lips. Ercole + screwed up his eyes with a queer smile he has when he is pleased. +</p> +<p> + "Capperi!" he ejaculated, when Nino had done. +</p> +<p> + "What has happened?" asked the latter. +</p> +<p> + "I cannot tell you what has happened," said Ercole, "but I will tell + you that you had better always sing like that, and you will be + applauded. Why have you never sung that piece in that way before?" +</p> +<p> + "I do not know. Perhaps it is because I am unhappy." +</p> +<p> + "Very well, never dare to be happy again, if you mean to succeed. You + can make a statue shed tears if you please." Ercole took a pinch of + snuff, and turned round to look out of the window. Nino leaned on the + piano, drumming with his fingers and looking at the back of the + maestro's head. The first rays of the sun just fell into the room and + gilded the red brick floor. +</p> +<p> + "Then instead of buying lavender kid gloves," said Nino at last, his + face relaxing a little, "and going to the Villa Borghese, you advise + me to borrow a guitar and sing to my statue? Is that it?" +</p> +<p> + "Che Diana! I did not say that!" said Ercole, still facing the window + and finishing his pinch of snuff with a certain satisfaction. "But if + you want the guitar, take it—there it lies. I will not answer for + what you do with it." His voice sounded kindly, for he was so much + pleased. Then he made Nino sing again, a little love song of Tosti, + who writes for the heart and sings so much better without a voice than + all your stage tenors put together. And the maestro looked long at + Nino when he had done, but he did not say anything. Nino put on his + hat gloomily enough, and prepared to go. +</p> +<p> + "I will take the guitar, if you will lend it to me," he said. +</p> +<p> + "Yes, if you like, and I will give you a handkerchief to wrap it up + with," said De Pretis, absently, but he did not get up from his seat. + He was watching Nino, and he seemed to be thinking. Just as the boy + was going with the instrument under his arm he called him back. +</p> +<p> + "Ebbene?" said Nino, with his hand on the lock of the door. +</p> +<p> + "I will make you a song to sing to your guitar," said Ercole. +</p> +<p> + "You?" +</p> +<p> + "Yes—but without music. Look here, Nino—sit down. What a hurry you + are in. I was young myself, once upon time." +</p> +<p> + "Once upon a time! Fairy stories—once upon a time there was a king, + and so on." Nino was not to be easily pacified. +</p> +<p> + "Well, perhaps it is a fairy tale, but it is in the future. I have an + idea." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, is that all? But it is the first time. I understand." +</p> +<p> + Listen. Have you read Dante?" +</p> +<p> + "I know the <i>Vita Nuova</i> by heart, and some of the <i>Commedia</i>. But how + the diavolo does Dante enter into this question?" +</p> +<p> + "And Silvio Pellico, and a little literature?" continued Ercole, not + heeding the comment. +</p> +<p> + "Yes, after a fashion. And you? Do you know them?" +</p> +<p> + "Che c'entro io?" cried Ercole, impatiently; "what do I want to know + such things for? But I have heard of them." +</p> +<p> + "I congratulate you," replied Nino, ironically. +</p> +<p> + "Have patience. You are no longer an artist. You are a professor of + literature." +</p> +<p> + "I—a professor of literature? What nonsense are you talking?" +</p> +<p> + "You are a great stupid donkey, Nino. Supposing I obtain for you an + engagement to read literature with the Contessina di Lira, will you + not be a professor? If you prefer singing—" But Nino comprehended in + a flash the whole scope of the proposal, and threw his arm round + Ercole's neck and embraced him. +</p> +<p> + "What a mind! Oh, maestro mio, I will die for you! Command me, and + I will do anything for you; I will run errands for you, black + your boots, anything—" he cried in the ecstasy of delight that + overmastered him. +</p> +<p> + "Piano, piano," objected the maestro, disengaging himself from his + pupil's embrace. "It is not done yet. There is much, much to think of + first." Nino retreated, a little disconcerted at not finding his + enthusiasm returned, but radiant still. +</p> +<p> + "Calm yourself," said Ercole, smiling. "If you do this thing you must + act a part. You must manage to conceal your occupation entirely. You + must look as solemn as an undertaker and be a real professor. They + will ultimately find you out, and throw you out of the window, and + dismiss me for recommending you. But that is nothing." +</p> +<p> + "No," said Nino, "that is of no importance." And he ran his fingers + through his hair, and looked delighted. +</p> +<p> + "You shall know all about it this evening, or to-morrow—" +</p> +<p> + "This evening, Sor Ercole, this evening, or I shall die. Stay, let me + go to the house with you, when you give your lesson, and wait for you + at the door." +</p> +<p> + "Pumpkin-head! I will have nothing to do with you," said De Pretis. +</p> +<p> + "Ah, I will be as quiet as you please. I will be like a lamb, and wait + until this evening." +</p> +<p> + "If you will really be quiet, I will do what you wish. Come to me + this evening about the Ave Maria—or a little earlier. Yes, come at + twenty-three hours. In October that is about five o'clock, by French + time. +</p> +<p> + "And I may take the guitar?" said Nino, as he rose to go. +</p> +<p> + "With all my heart. But do not spoil everything by singing to her, and + betraying yourself." +</p> +<p> + So Nino thanked the maestro enthusiastically and went away, humming a + tune, as he now and again struck the strings of the guitar that he + carried under his arm, to be sure it was there. +</p> +<p> + Do not think that because De Pretis suddenly changed his mind, and + even proposed to Nino a plan for making the acquaintance of the young + countess, he is a man to veer about like a weather-cock, nor yet a bad + man, willing to help a boy to do mischief. That is not at all like + Ercole de Pretis. He has since told me he was much astonished at the + way Nino sang the love song at his lesson; and he was instantly + convinced that in order to be a great artist Nino must be in love + always. Besides, the maestro is as liberal in his views of life as he + is conservative in his ideas about government. Nino is everything the + most straight-laced father could wish him to be, and as he was then + within a few months of making his first appearance on the stage, De + Pretis, who understands those things, could very well foresee the + success he has had. Now De Pretis is essentially a man of the people, + and I am not; therefore he saw no objection in the way of a match + between a great singer and a noble damigelia. But had I known what was + going on, I would have stopped the whole affair at that point, for I + am not so weak as Mariuccia seems to think. I do not mean now that + everything is settled I would wish it undone. Heaven forbid! But I + would have stopped it then, for it is a most incongruous thing, a + peasant boy making love to a countess. +</p> +<p> + Nino, however, has one great fault, and that is his reticence. It is + true, he never does anything he would not like me, or all the world, + to know. But I would like to know, all the same. It is a habit I have + fallen into, from having to watch that old woman, for fear she should + be too extravagant. All that time he never said anything, and I + supposed he had forgotten all about the contessina, for I did not + chance to see De Pretis; and when I did he talked of nothing but + Nino's <i>début</i> and the arrangements that were to be made. So that I + knew nothing about it, though I was pleased to see him reading so + much. He took a sudden fancy for literature, and read when he was not + singing, and even made me borrow Ambrosoli, in several volumes, from a + friend. He read every word of it, and talked very intelligently about + it too. I never thought there was any reason. +</p> +<p> + But De Pretis thinks differently. He believes that a man may be the + son of a ciociaro—a fellow who ties his legs up in rags and thongs, + and lives on goats' milk in the mountains—and that if he has brains + enough, or talent enough, he may marry any woman he likes without ever + thinking whether she is noble or not. De Pretis must be old-fashioned, + for I am sure I do not think in that way, and I know a hundred times + as much as he—a hundred times. +</p> +<p> + I suppose it must have been the very day when Nino had been to De + Pretis in the morning that he had instructions to go to the house of + Count von Lira on the morrow; for I remember very well that Nino acted + strangely in the evening, singing and making a noise for a few + minutes, and then burying himself in a book. However that may be, it + was very soon afterwards that he went to the Palazzo Carmandola, + dressed in his best clothes, he tells me, in order to make a + favourable impression on the count. The latter had spoken to De Pretis + about the lessons in literature, to which he attached great + importance, and the maestro had turned the idea to account for his + pupil. But Nino did not expect to see the young contessa on this first + day, or at least he did not hope he would be able to speak to her. And + so it turned out. +</p> +<p> + The footman, who had a red waistcoat, and opened the door with + authority, as if ready to close it again on the smallest provocation, + did not frighten Nino at all, though he eyed him suspiciously enough, + and after ascertaining his business departed to announce him to the + count. Meanwhile, Nino, who was very much excited at the idea of being + under the same roof with the object of his adoration, set himself down + on one of the carved chests that surrounded the hall. The green baize + door at the other end swung noiselessly on its hinges, closing itself + behind the servant, and the boy was left alone. He might well be + frightened, if not at the imposing appearance of the footman, at + least at the task he had undertaken. But a boy like Nino is afraid of + nothing when he is in love, and he simply looked about him, realising + that he was without doubt in the house of a gran' signor, and from + time to time brushing a particle of dust from his clothes, or trying + to smooth his curly black hair, which he had caused to be clipped a + little for the occasion; a very needless expense, for he looks better + with his hair long. +</p> +<p> + Before many moments the servant returned, and with some condescension + said that the count awaited him. Nino would rather have faced the + mayor, or the king himself, than Graf von Lira, though he was not at + all frightened—he was only very much excited, and he strove to calm + himself, as he was ushered through the apartments to the small + sitting-room where he was expected. +</p> +<p> + Graf von Lira, as I have already told you, is a foreigner of rank, who + had been a Prussian colonel, and was wounded in the war of 1866. He is + very tall, very thin, and very grey, with wooden features and a huge + moustache that stands out like the beaks on the colonna rostrata. His + eyes are small and very far apart, and fix themselves with terrible + severity when he speaks, even if he is only saying "good-morning." His + nails are very long and most carefully kept, and though he is so lame + that he could not move a step without the help of his stick, he is + still an upright and military figure. I remember well how he looked, + for he came to see me under peculiar circumstances, many months after + the time of which I am now speaking; and, besides, I had stood next to + him for an hour in the chapel of the choir in St. Peter's. +</p> +<p> + He speaks Italian intelligibly, but with the strangest German + constructions, and he rolls the letter <i>r</i> curiously in his throat. + But he is an intelligent man for a soldier, though he thinks talent is + a matter of education, and education a matter of drill. He is the most + ceremonious man I ever saw; and Nino says he rose from his chair to + meet him, and would not sit down again until Nino was seated. +</p> +<p> + "The signore is the professor of Italian literature recommended to + me by Signor De Pretis?" inquired the colonel in iron tones, as he + scrutinised Nino. +</p> +<p> + "Yes, Signor Conte," was the answer. +</p> +<p> + "You are a singularly young man to be a professor." Nino trembled. + "And how have you the education obtained in order the obligations and + not-to-be-avoided responsibilities of this worthy-of-all-honour career + to meet?" +</p> +<p> + "I went to school here, Signor Conte, and the Professor Grandi, in + whose house I always have lived, has taught me everything else I + know." +</p> +<p> + "What do you know?" inquired the count, so suddenly that Nino was + taken off his guard. He did not know what to answer. The count looked + very stern and pulled his moustaches. "You have not here come," + he continued, seeing that Nino made no answer, "without knowing + something. Evident is it, that, although a man young be, if he nothing + knows, he cannot a professor be." +</p> +<p> + "You speak justly, Signor Conte," Nino answered at last, "and I do + know some things. I know the <i>Commedia</i> of Alighieri, and Petrarca, + and I have read the <i>Gerusalemme Liberata</i> with Professor Grandi, and + I can repeat all of the <i>Vita Nuova</i> by heart, and some of the—" +</p> +<p> + "For the present that is enough," said the count. "If you nothing + better to do have, will you so kind be as to begin?" +</p> +<p> + "Begin?" said Nino, not understanding. +</p> +<p> + "Yes, signore; it would unsuitable be if I my daughter to the hands of + a man committed unacquainted with the matter he to teach her proposes. + I desire to be satisfied that you all these things really know." +</p> +<p> + "Do I understand, Signor Conte, that you wish me to repeat to you some + of the things I know by heart?" +</p> +<p> + "You have me understood," said the count severely, "I have all the + books bought of which you speak. You will repeat, and I will in the + book follow. Then shall we know each other much better." +</p> +<p> + Nino was not a little astonished at this mode of procedure, and + wondered how far his memory would serve him in such an unexpected + examination. +</p> +<p> + "It will take a long time to ascertain in this way—" he began. +</p> +<p> + "This," said the count coldly, as he opened a volume of Dante, "is the + celestial play by Signor Alighieri. If you anything know, you will it + repeat." +</p> +<p> + Nino resigned himself and began repeating the first canto of the + "Inferno." When he had finished it he paused. +</p> +<p> + "Forwards," said the count, without any change of manner. +</p> +<p> + "More?" inquired Nino. +</p> +<p> + "March!" said the old gentleman in military tone, and the boy went on + with the second canto. +</p> +<p> + "Apparently know you the beginning." The count opened the book at + random in another place. "The thirtieth canto of 'Purgatory.' You will + now it repeat." +</p> +<p> + "Ah!" cried Nino, "that is where Dante meets Beatrice." +</p> +<p> + "My hitherto not-by-any-means-extensive, but always from-the-conscience-undertaken + reading, reaches not so far. You will it repeat. So shall we + know." Nino passed his hand inside his collar as though to free his + throat, and began again, losing all consciousness of his tormentor in + his own enjoyment of the verse. +</p> +<p> + "When was the Signor Alighieri born?" inquired Graf von Lira, very + suddenly, as though to catch him. +</p> +<p> + "May 1265, in Florence," answered the other, as quickly. +</p> +<p> + "I said when, not where. I know he was in Florence born. When <i>and</i> + where died he?" The question was asked fiercely. +</p> +<p> + "Fourteenth of September 1321, at Ravenna." +</p> +<p> + "I think really you something of Signor Alighieri know," said the + count, and shut up the volume of the poet and the dictionary of dates + he had been obliged to consult to verify Nino's answers. "We will + proceed." +</p> +<p> + Nino is fortunately one of those people whose faculties serve them + best at their utmost need, and during the three hours—three blessed + hours—that Graf von Lira kept him under his eye, asking questions and + forcing him to repeat all manner of things, he acquitted himself + fairly well. +</p> +<p> + "I have now myself satisfied that you something know," said the count, + in his snappish military fashion, and he shut the last book, and never + from that day referred in any manner to Nino's extent of knowledge, + taking it for granted that he had made an exhaustive investigation. + "And now," he continued, "I desire you to engage for the reading of + literature with my daughter, upon the usual terms." Nino was so much + pleased that he almost lost his self-control, but a moment restored + his reflection. +</p> +<p> + "I am honoured—" he began. +</p> +<p> + "You are not honoured at all," interrupted the count, coldly. "What + are the usual terms?" +</p> +<p> + "Three or four francs a lesson," suggested Nino. +</p> +<p> + "Three or four francs are not the usual terms. I have inquiries made. + Five francs are the usual terms. Three times in the week, at eleven. + You will on the morrow begin. Allow me to offer you some cigars." And + he ended the interview. +</p> +<a name="chapter_4"></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h3> + CHAPTER IV +</h3> +<p> + In a sunny room overlooking the great courtyard of the Palazzo + Carmandola, Nino sat down to give Hedwig von Lira her first lesson in + Italian literature. He had not the remotest idea what the lesson would + be like, for in spite of the tolerably wide acquaintance with the + subject which he owed to my care and my efforts to make a scholar of + him, he knew nothing about teaching. Nevertheless, as his pupil spoke + the language fluently, though with the occasional use of words of low + origin, like all foreigners who have grown up in Rome and have learned + to speak from their servants, he anticipated little difficulty. He + felt quite sure of being able to interpret the hard places, and he had + learned from me to know the best and finest passages in a number of + authors. +</p> +<p> + But imagine the feelings of a boy of twenty, perfectly in love, + without having the smallest right to be, suddenly placed by the side + of the object of his adoration, and told to teach her all he + knows—with her father in the next room and the door open between! I + have always thought it was a proof of Nino's determined character, + that he should have got over this first lesson without accident. +</p> +<p> + Hedwig von Lira, the contessina, as we always call her, is just Nino's + age, but she seemed much younger, as the children of the North always + do. I have told you what she was like to look at, and you will not + wonder that I called her a statue. She looked as cold as a statue, + just as I said, and so I should hardly describe her as beautiful. But + then I am not a sculptor, nor do I know anything about those arts, + though I can tell a good work when I see it. I do not wish to appear + prejudiced, and so I will not say anything more about it. I like life + in living things, and sculptors may, if it please them, adore straight + noses, and level brows, and mouths that no one could possibly eat + with. I do not care in the least, and if you say that I once thought + differently, I answer that I do not wish to change your opinion, but + that I will change my own as often as I please. Moreover, if you say + that the contessina did not act like a statue in the sequel, I will + argue that if you put marble in the fire it will take longer to heat + and longer to cool than clay; only clay is made to be put into the + fire, and marble is not. Is not that a cunning answer? +</p> +<p> + The contessina is a foreigner in every way, although she was born + under our sun. They have all sorts of talents, these people, but so + little ingenuity in using them that they never accomplish anything. It + seems to amuse them to learn to do a great many things, although they + must know from the beginning that they can never excel in any one of + them. I dare say the contessina plays on the piano very creditably, + for even Nino says she plays well; but is it of any use to her? +</p> +<p> + Nino very soon found out that she meant to read literature very + seriously, and, what is more, she meant to read it in her own way. She + was as different from her father as possible in everything else, but + in a despotic determination to do exactly as she liked, she resembled + him. Nino was glad that he was not called upon to use his own + judgment, and there he sat, content to look at her, twisting his hands + together below the table to concentrate his attention and master + himself; and he read just what she told him to read, expounding the + words and phrases she could not understand. I dare say that with his + hair well brushed, and his best coat, and his eyes on the book, he + looked as proper as you please. But if the high-born young lady had + returned the glances he could not refrain from bending upon her now + and then, she would have seen a lover, if she could see at all. +</p> +<p> + She did not see. The haughty Prussian damsel hardly noticed the man, + for she was absorbed by the professor. Her small ears were all + attention, and her slender fingers made notes with a common pencil, so + that Nino wondered at the contrast between the dazzling white hand and + the smooth, black, varnished instrument of writing. He took no account + of time that day, and was startled by the sound of the mid-day gun and + the angry clashing of the bells. The contessina looked up suddenly and + met his eyes, but it was the boy that blushed. +</p> +<p> + "Would you mind finishing the canto?" she asked. "There are only ten + lines more—" Mind! Nino flushed with pleasure. +</p> +<p> + "Anzi—by all means," he cried. "My time is yours, signorina." +</p> +<p> + When they had done he rose, and his face was sad and pale again. He + hated to go, but he was only a teacher, and at his first lesson, too. + She also rose, and waited for him to leave the room. He could not hold + his tongue. +</p> +<p> + "Signorina—" he stammered, and checked himself. She looked at him, to + listen, but his heart smote him when he had thus arrested her attention. + What could he say as he stood bowing? It was sufficiently stupid, what + he said. +</p> +<p> + "I shall have the honour of returning to-morrow, the day after + to-morrow, I would say." +</p> +<p> + "Yes," said she, "I believe that is the arrangement. Good-morning, + Signor Professore." The title of professor rang strangely in his ear. + Was there the slightest tinge of irony in her voice? Was she laughing + at his boyish looks? Ugh! the thought tingled. He bowed himself out. +</p> +<p> + That was the first lesson, and the second was like it, I suppose, and + a great many others about which I knew nothing, for I was always + occupied in the middle of the day, and did not ask where he went. It + seemed to me that he was becoming a great dandy, but as he never asked + me for any money from the day he learnt to copy music I never put any + questions. He certainly had a new coat before Christmas, and gloves, + and very nice boots, that made me smile when I thought of the day when + he arrived, with only one shoe—and it had a hole in it as big as half + his foot. But now he grew to be so careful of his appearance that + Mariuccia began to call him the "signorino." De Pretis said he was + making great progress, and so I was contented, though I always thought + it was a sacrifice for him to be a singer. +</p> +<p> + Of course, as he went three times a week to the Palazzo Carmandola, he + began to be used to the society of the contessina. I never understood + how he succeeded in keeping up the comedy of being a professor. A real + Roman would have discovered him in a week. But foreigners are + different. If they are satisfied they pay their money and ask no + questions. Besides, he studied all the time, saying that if he ever + lost his voice he would turn man of letters; which sounded so prudent + that I had nothing to say. Once, we were walking in the Corso, and the + contessina with her father passed in the carriage. Nino raised his + hat, but they did not see him, for there is always a crowd in the + Corso. +</p> +<p> + "Tell me," he cried, excitedly, as they went by, "is it not true that + she is beautiful?" +</p> +<p> + "A piece of marble, my son," said I, suspecting nothing; and I turned + into a tobacconist's to buy a cigar. +</p> +<p> + One day—Nino says it was in November—the contessina began asking him + questions about the Pantheon, it was in the middle of the lesson, and + he wondered at her stopping to talk. But you may imagine whether he + was glad or not to have an opportunity of speaking about something + besides Dante. +</p> +<p> + "Yes, signorina," he answered, "Professor Grandi says it was built for + public baths; but, of course, we all think it was a temple." +</p> +<p> + "Were you ever there at night?" asked she, indifferently, and the sun + through the window so played with her golden hair that Nino wondered + how she could ever think of night at all. +</p> +<p> + "At night, signorina? No indeed! What should I go there at night to + do, in the dark! I was never there at night." +</p> +<p> + "I will go there at night," she said briefly. +</p> +<p> + "Ah—you would have it lit up with torches, as they do the Coliseum?" +</p> +<p> + "No. Is there no moon in Italy, professore?" +</p> +<p> + "The moon, there is. But there is such a little hole in the top of the + Rotonda"—that is our Roman name for the Pantheon—"that it would be + very dark." +</p> +<p> + "Precisely," said she. "I will go there at night, and see the moon + shining through the hole in the dome." +</p> +<p> + "Eh," cried Nino laughing, "you will see the moon better outside in + the piazza. Why should you go inside, where you can see so little of + it?" +</p> +<p> + "I will go," replied the contessina. "The Italians have no sense of + the beautiful—the mysterious." Her eyes grew dreamy as she tried to + call up the picture she had never seen. +</p> +<p> + "Perhaps," said Nino humbly. "But," he added, suddenly brightening at + the thought, "it is very easy, if you would like to go. I will arrange + it. Will you allow me?" +</p> +<p> + "Yes, arrange it. Let us go on with our lesson." +</p> +<p> + I would like to tell you all about it; how Nino saw the sacristan + of the Pantheon that evening, and ascertained from his little + almanac—which has all kinds of wonderful astrological predictions, as + well as the calendar—when it would be full moon. And perhaps what + Nino said to the sacristan, and what the sacristan said to Nino, might + be amusing. I am very fond of these little things, and fond of talking + too. For since it is talking that distinguishes us from other animals, + I do not see why I should not make the most of it. But you who are + listening to me have seen very little of the Contessina Hedwig as yet, + and unless I quickly tell you more, you will wonder how all the + curious things that happened to her could possibly have grown out of + the attempt of a little singer like Nino to make her acquaintance. + Well, Nino is a great singer now, of course, but he was little once; + and when he palmed himself off on the old count for an Italian master + without my knowledge, nobody had ever heard of him at all. +</p> +<p> + Therefore since I must satisfy your curiosity before anything else, + and not dwell too long on the details—the dear, commonplace + details—I will simply say that Nino succeeded without difficulty in + arranging with the sacristan of the Pantheon to allow a party of + foreigners to visit the building at the full moon, at midnight. I have + no doubt he even expended a franc with the little man, who is very old + and dirty, and keeps chickens in the vestibule—but no details! +</p> +<p> + Oh the appointed night Nino, wrapped in that old cloak of mine (which + is very warm, though it is threadbare), accompanied the party to the + temple, or church, or whatever you like to call it. The party were + simply the count and his daughter, an Austrian gentleman of their + acquaintance, and the dear baroness—that sympathetic woman who broke + so many hearts and cared not at all for the chatter of the people. + Everyone has seen her, with her slim, graceful ways, and her face that + was like a mulatto peach for darkness and fineness, and her dark eyes + and tiger-lily look. They say she lived entirely on sweetmeats and + coffee, and it is no wonder she was so sweet and so dark. She called + me "count"—which is very foolish now, but if I were going to fall in + love, I would have loved her. I would not love a statue. As for the + Austrian gentleman, it is not of any importance to describe him. +</p> +<p> + These four people Nino conducted to the little entrance at the back of + the Pantheon, and the sacristan struck a light to show them the way to + the door of the church. Then he put out his taper, and let them do as + they pleased. +</p> +<p> + Conceive if you can the darkness of Egypt, the darkness that can be + felt, impaled and stabbed through its whole thickness by one mighty + moonbeam, clear and clean and cold, from the top to the bottom. All + around, in the circle of the outer black, lie the great dead in their + tombs, whispering to each other of deeds that shook the world; + whispering in a language all their own as yet—the language of the + life to come—the language of a stillness so dread and deep that the + very silence clashes against it, and makes dull, muffled beatings + in ears that strain to catch the dead men's talk: the shadow of + immortality falling through the shadow of death, and bursting back + upon its heavenward course from the depth of the abyss; climbing + again upon its silver self to the sky above, leaving behind the horror + of the deep. +</p> +<p> + So in that lonely place at midnight falls the moon upon the floor, and + through the mystic shaft of rays ascend and descend the souls of the + dead. Hedwig stood out alone upon the white circle on the pavement + beneath the dome, and looked up as though she could see the angels + coming and going. And, as she looked, the heavy lace veil that covered + her head fell back softly, as though a spirit wooed her and would fain + look on something fairer than he, and purer. The whiteness clung to + her face, and each separate wave of hair was like spun silver. And she + looked steadfastly up. For a moment she stood, and the hushed air + trembled about her. Then the silence caught the tremor, and quivered, + and a thrill of sound hovered and spread its wings, and sailed forth + from the night. +</p> +<p> + "Spirto gentil dei sogni miei—" +</p> +<p> + Ah, Signorina Edvigia, you know that voice now, but you did not know + it then. How your heart stopped, and beat, and stopped again, when you + first heard that man sing out his whole heartful—you in the light and + he in the dark! And his soul shot out to you upon the sounds, and + died fitfully, as the magic notes dashed their soft wings against + the vaulted roof above you, and took new life again and throbbed + heavenward in broad, passionate waves, till your breath came thick and + your blood ran fiercely—ay, even your cold northern blood—in very + triumph that a voice could so move you. A voice in the dark. For a + full minute after it ceased you stood there, and the others, wherever + they might be in the shadow, scarcely breathed. +</p> +<p> + That was how Hedwig first heard Nino sing. When at last she recovered + herself enough to ask aloud the name of the singer, Nino had moved + quite close to her. +</p> +<p> + "It is a relation of mine, signorina, a young fellow who is going to + be an artist. I asked him as a favour to come here and sing to you + to-night. I thought it might please you." +</p> +<p> + "A relation of yours!" exclaimed the contessina. And the others + approached so that they all made a group in the disc of moonlight. + "Just think, my dear baroness, this wonderful voice is a relation of + Signor Cardegna, my excellent Italian master!" There was a little + murmur of admiration; then the old count spoke. +</p> +<p> + "Signore," said he, rolling in his gutturals, "it is my duty to very + much thank you. You will now, if you please, me the honour do, me to + your all-the-talents-possible-possessing relation to present." Nino + had foreseen the contingency and disappeared into the dark. Presently + he returned. +</p> +<p> + "I am so sorry, Signor Conte," he said. "The sacristan tells me that + when my cousin had finished he hurried away, saying he was afraid of + taking some ill if he remained here where it is so damp. I will tell + him how much you appreciated him." +</p> +<p> + "Curious is it," remarked the count. "I heard him not going off." +</p> +<p> + "He stood in the doorway of the sacristy, by the high altar, Signor + Conte." +</p> +<p> + "In that case is it different." +</p> +<p> + "I am sorry," said Nino. "The signorina was so unkind as to say, + lately, that we Italians have no sense of the beautiful, the + mysterious—" +</p> +<p> + "I take it back," said Hedwig, gravely, still standing in the + moonlight. "Your cousin has a very great power over the beautiful." +</p> +<p> + "And the mysterious," added the baroness, who had not spoken, "for his + departure without showing himself has left me the impression of a + sweet dream. Give me your arm, Professore Cardegna. I will not stay + here any longer, now that the dream is over." Nino sprang to her side + politely, though, to tell the truth, she did not attract him at first + sight. He freed one arm from the old cloak, and reflected that she + could not tell in the dark how very shabby it was. +</p> +<p> + "You give lessons to the Signora von Lira?" she asked, leading him + quickly away from the party. +</p> +<p> + "Yes—in Italian literature, signora." +</p> +<p> + "Ah—she tells me great things of you. Could you not spare me an hour + or two in the week, professore?" +</p> +<p> + Here was a new complication. Nino had certainly not contemplated + setting up for an Italian teacher to all the world when he undertook + to give lessons to Hedwig. +</p> +<p> + "Signora—" he began, in a protesting voice. +</p> +<p> + "You will do it to oblige me, I am sure," she said, eagerly, and her + slight hand just pressed upon his arm a little. Nino had found time to + reflect that this lady was intimate with Hedwig, and that he might + possibly gain an opportunity of seeing the girl he loved if he + accepted the offer. +</p> +<p> + "Whenever it pleases you, signora," he said at length. +</p> +<p> + "Can you come to me to-morrow at eleven?" she asked. +</p> +<p> + "At twelve, if you please, signora, or half past. Eleven is the + contessina's hour to-morrow." +</p> +<p> + "At half-past twelve, then, to-morrow," said she, and she gave him her + address, as they went out into the street. "Stop," she added, "where + do you live?" +</p> +<p> + "Number twenty-seven Santa Catarina dei Funari," he answered, + wondering why she asked. The rest of the party came out, and Nino + bowed to the ground, as he bid the contessina good-night. +</p> +<p> + He was glad to be free of that pressure on his arm, and he was glad to + be alone, to wander through the streets under the moonlight, and to + think over what he had done. +</p> +<p> + "There is no risk of my being discovered," he said to himself, + confidently. "The story of the near relation was well imagined, and + besides, it is true. Am I not my own nearest relation? I certainly + have no others that I know of. And this baroness—what can she want of + me? She speaks Italian like a Spanish cow, and indeed she needs a + professor badly enough. But why should she take a fancy for me as a + teacher. Ah! those eyes! Not the baroness'. Edvigia—Edvigia di + Lira—Edvigia Ca—Cardegna! Why not?" He stopped to think, and looked + long at the moonbeams playing on the waters of the fountain. "Why not? + But the baroness—may the diavolo fly away with her! What should I + do—I indeed! with a pack of baronesses? I will go to bed and + dream—not of a baroness! Macchè, never a baroness in my dreams, with + eyes like a snake, and who cannot speak three words properly in the + only language under the sun worth speaking! Not I—I will dream of + Edvigia di Lira—she is the spirit of my dreams. Spirto gentil—" and + away he went, humming the air from the "Favorita" in the top of his + head, as is his wont. +</p> +<p> + The next day the contessina could talk of nothing during her lesson + but the unknown singer who had made the night so beautiful for her, + and Nino flushed red under his dark skin and ran his fingers wildly + through his curly hair, with pleasure. But he set his square jaw, that + means so much, and explained to his pupil how hard it would be for her + to hear him again. For his friend, he said, was soon to make his + appearance on the stage, and of course he could not be heard singing + before that. And as the young lady insisted, Nino grew silent, and + remarked that the lesson was not progressing. Thereupon Hedwig + blushed—the first time he had ever seen her blush—and did not + approach the subject again. +</p> +<p> + After that he went to the house of the baroness, where he was + evidently expected, for the servant asked his name and immediately + ushered him into her presence. She was one of those lithe, dark women + of good race, that are to be met with all over the world, and she has + broken many a heart. But she was not like a snake at all, as Nino had + thought at first. She was simply a very fine lady who did exactly what + she pleased, and if she did not always act rightly, yet I think she + rarely acted unkindly. After all, the buon Dio has not made us all + paragons of domestic virtue. Men break their hearts for so very + little, and, unless they are ruined, they melt the pieces at the next + flame and join them together again like bits of sealing wax. +</p> +<p> + The baroness sat before a piano in a boudoir, where there was not very + much light. Every part of the room was crowded with fans, ferns, + palms, Oriental carpets and cushions, books, porcelain, majolica, and + pictures. You could hardly move without touching some ornament, and + the heavy curtains softened the sunshine, and a small open fire of + wood helped the warmth. There was also an odour of Russian tobacco. + The baroness smiled and turned on the piano seat. +</p> +<p> + "Ah, professore! You come just in time," said she. "I am trying to + sing such a pretty song to myself, and I cannot pronounce the words. + Come and teach me." Nino contrasted the whole air of this luxurious + retreat with the prim, soldierly order that reigned in the count's + establishment. +</p> +<p> + "Indeed, signora, I come to teach you whatever I can. Here I am. I + cannot sing, but I will stand beside you and prompt the words." +</p> +<p> + Nino is not a shy boy at all, and he assumed the duties required of + him immediately. He stood by her side, and she just nodded and began + to sing a little song that stood on the desk of the piano. She did not + sing out of tune, but she made wrong notes and pronounced horribly. +</p> +<p> + "Pronounce the words for me," she repeated every now and then. +</p> +<p> + "But pronouncing in singing is different from speaking," he objected + at last, and, fairly forgetting himself and losing patience, he began + softly to sing the words over. Little by little, as the song pleased + him, he lost all memory of where he was, and stood beside her singing + just as he would have done to De Pretis, from the sheet, with all + the accuracy and skill that were in him. At the end, he suddenly + remembered how foolish he was. But, after all, he had not sung to the + power of his voice, and she might not recognise in him the singer of + last night. The baroness looked up with a light laugh. +</p> +<p> + "I have found you out," she cried, clapping her hands. "I have found + you out!" +</p> +<p> + "What, signora?" +</p> +<p> + "You are the tenor of the Pantheon—that is all. I knew it. Are you + so sorry that I have found you out?" she asked, for Nino turned very + white, and his eyes flashed at the thought of the folly he had + committed. +</p> +<a name="chapter_5"></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h3> + CHAPTER V +</h3> +<p> + Nino was thoroughly frightened, for he knew that discovery portended + the loss of everything most dear to him. No more lessons with Hedwig, + no more parties to the Pantheon, no more peace, no more anything. He + wrung his fingers together and breathed hard. +</p> +<p> + "Ah, signora!" he found voice to exclaim, "I am sure you cannot + believe it possible—" +</p> +<p> + "Why not, Signor Cardegna?" asked the baroness, looking up at him from + under her half-closed lids with a mocking glance. "Why not? Did you + not tell me where you lived? And does not the whole neighbourhood know + that you are no other than Giovanni Cardegna, commonly called Nino, + who is to make his <i>dĂ©but</i> in the Carnival season?" +</p> +<p> + "Dio mio!" ejaculated Nino in a hoarse voice, realising that he was + entirely found out, and that nothing could save him. He paced the room + in an agony of despair, and his square face was as white as a sheet. + The baroness sat watching him with a smile on her lips, amused at the + tempest she had created, and pretending to know much more than she + did. She thought it not impossible that Nino, who was certainly poor, + might be supporting himself by teaching Italian while studying for the + stage, and she inwardly admired his sense and twofold talent if that + were really the case. But she was willing to torment him a little, + seeing that she had the power. +</p> +<p> + "Signor Cardegna"—she called him in her soft voice. He turned + quickly, and stood facing her, his arms crossed. +</p> +<p> + "You look like Napoleon at Waterloo, when you stand like that," she + laughed. He made no answer, waiting to see what she would do with her + victory. "It seems that you are sorry I have discovered you," she + added presently, looking down at her hands. +</p> +<p> + "Is that all?" he said, with a bitter sneer on his pale young face. +</p> +<p> + "Then, since you are sorry, you must have a reason for concealment," + she went on, as though reflecting on the situation. It was deftly + done, and Nino took heart. +</p> +<p> + "Signora," he said, in a trembling voice, "it is natural that a man + should wish to live. I give lessons now, until I have appeared in + public, to support myself." +</p> +<p> + "Ah, I begin to understand," said the baroness. In reality she began + to doubt, reflecting that if this were the whole truth Nino would be + too proud—or any other Italian—to say it so plainly. She was subtle, + the baroness! +</p> +<p> + "And do you suppose," he continued, "that if once the Conte de Lira + had an idea that I was to be a public singer he would employ me as a + teacher for his daughter?" +</p> +<p> + "No, but others might," she objected. +</p> +<p> + "But not the count—" Nino bit his lip, fearing he had betrayed + himself. +</p> +<p> + "Nor the contessina," laughed the baroness, completing the sentence. + He saw at a glance what she suspected, and instead of keeping cool + grew angry. +</p> +<p> + "I came here, Signora Baronessa, not to be cross-examined, but to + teach you Italian. Since you do not desire to study, I will say + good-morning." He took his hat and moved proudly to the door. +</p> +<p> + "Come here," she said, not raising her voice, but still commanding. He + turned, hesitated, and came back. He thought her voice was changed. + She rose and swept her silken morning-gown between the chairs and + tables till she reached a deep divan on the other side of the room. + There she sat down. +</p> +<p> + "Come and sit beside me," she said, kindly, and he obeyed in silence. +</p> +<p> + "Do you know what would have happened," she continued, when he was + seated, "if you had left me just now? I would have gone to the Graf + von Lira and told him that you were not a fit person to teach his + daughter; that you are a singer, and not a professor at all; and that + you have assumed this disguise for the sake of seeing his daughter." + But I do not believe that she would have done it. +</p> +<p> + "That would have been a betrayal," said Nino fiercely, looking away + from her. She laughed lightly. +</p> +<p> + "Is it not natural," she asked, "that I should make inquiries about my + Italian teacher before I begin lessons with him? And if I find he is + not what he pretends to be should I not warn my intimate friends?" She + spoke so reasonably that he was fain to acknowledge that she was + right. +</p> +<p> + "It is just," he said, sullenly. "But you have been very quick to make + your inquiries, as you call them." +</p> +<p> + "The time was short, since you were to come this morning." +</p> +<p> + "That is true," he answered. He moved uneasily. "And now, signora, + will you be kind enough to tell me what you intend to do with me!" +</p> +<p> + "Certainly, since you are more reasonable. You see I treat you + altogether as an artist, and not at all as an Italian master. A great + artist may idle away a morning in a woman's boudoir; a simple teacher + of languages must be more industrious." +</p> +<p> + "But I am not a great artist," said Nino, whose vanity—we all have + it—began to flutter a little. +</p> +<p> + "You will be one before long, and one of the greatest. You are a boy + yet, my little tenor," said she, looking at him with her dark eyes, + "and I might almost be your mother. How old are you, Signor Nino?" +</p> +<p> + "I was twenty on my last birthday," he answered, blushing. +</p> +<p> + "You see! I am thirty—at least," she added, with a short laugh. +</p> +<p> + "Well, signora, what of that?" said Nino, half amused. "I wish I were + thirty myself." +</p> +<p> + "I am glad you are not," said she. "Now listen. You are completely in + my power, do you understand? Yes. And you are apparently very much in + love with my young friend, the Contessina di Lira"—Nino sprang to his + feet, his face white again, but with rage this time. +</p> +<p> + "Signora," he cried, "this is too much! It is insufferable! + Good-morning," and he made as though he would go. +</p> +<p> + "Very well," said the baroness; "then I will go to the Graf and + explain who you are. Ah—you are calm again in a moment? Sit down. Now + I have discovered you, and I have a right to you, do you see? It is + fortunate for you that I like you." +</p> +<p> + "You! You like me? In truth, you act as though you did! Besides, you + are a stranger, Signora Baronessa, and a great lady. I never saw you + till yesterday." But he resumed his seat. +</p> +<p> + "Good," said she. "Is not the Signorina Edvigia a great lady, and was + there never a day when she was a stranger too?" +</p> +<p> + "I do not understand your caprices, signora. In fine, what do you want + of me?" +</p> +<p> + "It is not necessary that you should understand me," answered the + dark-eyed baroness. "Do you think I would hurt you—or rather your + voice?" +</p> +<p> + "I do not know." +</p> +<p> + "You know very well that I would not; and as for my caprices, as you + call them, do you think it is a caprice to love music? No, of course + not. And who loves music loves musicians; at least," she added, with a + most enchanting smile, "enough to wish to have them near one. That is + all. I want you to come here often and sing to me. Will you come and + sing to me, my little tenor?" +</p> +<p> + Nino would not have been human had he not felt the flattery through + the sting. And I always say that singers are the vainest kind of + people. +</p> +<p> + "It is very like singing in a cage," he said, in protest. Nevertheless, + he knew he must submit; for, however narrow his experience might be, + this woman's smile and winning grace, even when she said the hardest + things, told him that she would have her own way. He had the sense to + understand, too, that whatever her plans might be, their object was to + bring him near to herself, a reflection which was extremely soothing + to his vanity. +</p> +<p> + "If you will come and sing to me—only to me, of course, for I would + not ask you to compromise your <i>dĂ©but</i>—but if you will come and sing + to me, we shall be very good friends. Does it seem to you such a + terrible penance to sing to me in my solitude?" +</p> +<p> + "It is never a penance to sing," said Nino simply. A shade of + annoyance crossed the baroness' face. +</p> +<p> + "Provided," she said, "it entails nothing. Well, we will not talk + about the terms." +</p> +<p> + They say women sometimes fall in love with a voice: <i>vox et proeterea + nihil</i>, as the poet has it. I do not know whether that is what + happened to the baroness at first, but it has always seemed strange to + me that she should have given herself so much trouble to secure Nino, + unless she had a very strong fancy for him. I, for my part, think that + when a lady of her condition takes such a sudden caprice into her + head, she thinks it necessary to maltreat the poor man a little at + first, just to satisfy her conscience, and to be able to say later + that she did not encourage him. I have had some experience, as + everybody is aware, and so I may speak boldly. On the other hand, a + man like Nino, when he is in love, is absolutely blind to other women. + There is only one idea in his soul that has any life, and everyone + outside that idea is only so much landscape; they are no better for + him—the other women—than a museum of wax dolls. +</p> +<p> + The baroness, as you have seen, had Nino in her power, and there was + nothing for it but submission; he came and went at her bidding, and + often she would send for him when he least expected it. He would do as + she commanded, somewhat sullenly and with a bad grace, but obediently, + for all that; she had his destiny in her hands, and could in a moment + frustrate all his hopes. But, of course, she knew that if she betrayed + him to the count, Nino would be lost to her also, since he came to her + only in order to maintain his relations with Hedwig. +</p> +<p> + Meanwhile the blue-eyed maiden of the North waxed fitful. Sometimes + two or three lessons would pass in severe study. Nino, who always took + care to know the passages they were reading, so that he might look at + her instead of at his book, had instituted an arrangement by which + they sat opposite each other at a small table. He would watch her + every movement and look, and carry away a series of photographs of + her,—a whole row, like the little books of Roman views they sell in + the streets, strung together on a strip of paper,—and these views of + her lasted with him for two whole days, until he saw her again. But + sometimes he would catch a glimpse of her in the interval driving with + her father. +</p> +<p> + There were other days when Hedwig could not be induced to study, but + would overwhelm Nino with questions about his wonderful cousin who + sang, so that he longed with his whole soul to tell her it was he + himself who had sung. She saw his reluctance to speak about it, and + she blushed when she mentioned the night at the Pantheon; but for her + life she could not help talking of the pleasure she had had. Her + blushes seemed like the promise of spring roses to her lover, who + drank of the air of her presence till that subtle ether ran like fire + through his veins. He was nothing to her, he could see; but the singer + of the Pantheon engrossed her thoughts and brought the hot blood to + her cheek. The beam of moonlight had pierced the soft virgin darkness + of her sleeping soul, and found a heart so cold and spotless that even + a moon ray was warm by comparison. And the voice that sang "Spirto + gentil dei sogni miei" had itself become by memory the gentle spirit + of her own dreams. She is so full of imagination, this statue of + Nino's, that she heard the notes echoing after her by day and night, + till she thought she must go mad unless she could hear the reality + again. As the great solemn statue of Egyptian Memnon murmurs sweet, + soft sounds to its mighty self at sunrise, a musical whisper in the + desert, so the pure white marble of Nino's living statue vibrated with + strange harmonies all the day long. +</p> +<p> + One night, as Nino walked homeward with De Pretis, who had come to + supper with us, he induced the maestro to go out of his way at least + half a mile, to pass the Palazzo Carmandola. It was a still night, + not over-cold for December, and there were neither stars nor moon. + As they passed the great house Nino saw a light in Hedwig's + sitting-room—the room where he gave her the lessons. It was late, + and she must be alone. On a sudden he stopped. +</p> +<p> + "What is the matter?" asked De Pretis. +</p> +<p> + For all answer, Nino, standing in the dark street below, lifted up his + voice and sang the first notes of the air he always associated with + his beautiful contessina. Before he had sung a dozen bars the window + opened, and the girl's figure could be seen, black against the light + within. He went on for a few notes, and then ceased suddenly. +</p> +<p> + "Let us go," he said in a low voice to Ercole; and they went away, + leaving the contessina listening in the stillness to the echo of their + feet. A Roman girl would not have done that; she would have sat + quietly inside, and never have shown herself. But foreigners are so + impulsive! +</p> +<p> + Nino never heard the last of those few notes, any more than the + contessina, literally speaking, ever heard the end of the song. +</p> +<p> + "Your cousin, about whom you make so much mystery, passed under my + window last night," said the young lady the next day, with the usual + display of carnation in her cheeks at the mention of him. +</p> +<p> + "Indeed, signorina?" said Nino, calmly, for he expected the remark. + "And since you have never seen him, pray how did you know it was he?" +</p> +<p> + "How should one know?" she asked, scornfully. "There are not two such + voices as his in Italy. He sang." +</p> +<p> + "He sang?" cried Nino, with an affectation of alarm. "I must tell the + maestro not to let him sing in the open air; he will lose his voice." +</p> +<p> + "Who is his master?" asked Hedwig, suddenly. +</p> +<p> + "I cannot remember the name just now," said Nino, looking away. "But + I will find out, if you wish." He was afraid of putting De Pretis to + any inconvenience by saying that the young singer was his pupil. + "However," he continued, "you will hear him sing as often as you + please, after he makes his <i>dĂ©but</i> next month." He sighed when he + thought that it would all so soon be over. For how could he disguise + himself any longer, when he should be singing in public every night? + But Hedwig clapped her hands. +</p> +<p> + "So soon?" she cried. "Then there will be an end of the mystery." +</p> +<p> + "Yes," said Nino, gravely "there will be an end of the mystery." +</p> +<p> + "At least you can tell me his name, now that we shall all know it." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, his name—his name is Cardegna, like mine. He is my cousin, you + know." And they went on with the lesson. But something of the kind + occurred almost every time he came, so that he felt quite sure that, + however indifferent he might be in her eyes, the singer, the Nino of + whom she knew nothing, interested her deeply. +</p> +<p> + Meanwhile he was obliged to go very often to the baroness' scented + boudoir, which smelled of incense and other Eastern perfumes, whenever + it did not smell of cigarettes; and there he sang little songs, and + submitted patiently to her demands for more and more music. She would + sit by the piano and watch him as he sang, wondering whether he were + handsome or ugly, with his square face and broad throat and the black + circles round his eyes. He had a fascination for her, as being + something utterly new to her. +</p> +<p> + One day she stood and looked over the music as he sang, almost + touching him, and his hair was so curly and soft to look at that she + was seized with a desire to stroke it, as Mariuccia strokes the old + gray cat for hours together. The action was quite involuntary, and her + fingers rested only a moment on his head. +</p> +<p> + "It is so curly," she said, half playfully, half apologetically. But + Nino started as though he had been stung, and his dark face grew pale. + A girl could not have seemed more hurt at a strange man's touch. +</p> +<p> + "Signora!" he cried, springing to his feet. The baroness, who is as + dark as he, blushed almost red, partly because she was angry, and + partly because she was ashamed. +</p> +<p> + "What a boy you are!" she said, carelessly enough, and turned away to + the window, pushing back one heavy curtain with her delicate hand, as + if she would look out. +</p> +<p> + "Pardon me, signora, I am not a boy," said Nino, speaking to the back + of her head as he stood behind her. "It is time we understood each + other better. I love like a man and I hate like a man. I love someone + very, much." +</p> +<p> + "Fortunate contessina!" laughed the baroness, mockingly, without + turning round. +</p> +<p> + "It does not concern you, signora, to know whom I love, nor, if you + know, to speak of her. I ask you a simple question. If you loved a man + with your whole soul and heart, would you allow another man to stand + beside you and stroke your hair, and say it was curly?" The baroness + burst out laughing. "Do not laugh," he continued. "Remember that I am + in your power only so long as it pleases me to submit to you. Do not + abuse your advantage, or I will be capable of creating for myself + situations quite as satisfactory as that of Italian master to the + Signorina di Lira." +</p> +<p> + "What do you mean?" she asked, turning suddenly upon him. "I suppose + you would tell me that you will make advantages for yourself which + you will abuse against me? What do you mean?" +</p> +<p> + "I do not mean that. I mean only that I may not wish to give lessons + to the contessina much longer." By this time the baroness had + recovered her equanimity; and as she would have been sorry to lose + Nino, who was a source of infinite pleasure and amusement to her, she + decided to pacify him instead of teasing him any more. +</p> +<p> + "Is it not very foolish for us to quarrel about your curly hair?" said + she. "We have been such good friends always." It might have been three + weeks, her "always." +</p> +<p> + "I think it is," answered Nino, gravely. "But do not stroke my hair + again, Signora Baronessa, or I shall be angry." He was quite serious, + if you believe it, though he was only twenty. He forthwith sat down to + the piano again and sang on. The baroness sat very silent and scarcely + looked at him; but she held her hands clasped on her knee, and seemed + to be thinking. After a time Nino stopped singing and sat silent also, + absently turning over the sheets of music. It was warm in the room, + and the sounds from the street were muffled and far away. +</p> +<p> + "Signor Nino," said the lady at last, in a different voice, "I am + married." +</p> +<p> + "Yes, signora," he replied, wondering what would come next. +</p> +<p> + "It would be very foolish of me to care for you." +</p> +<p> + "It would also be very wicked," he said, calmly; for he is well + grounded in religion. The baroness stared at him in some surprise, but + seeing he was perfectly serious, she went on. +</p> +<p> + "Precisely, as you say, very wicked. That being the case, I have + decided not to care for you any more—I mean not to care for you at + all. I have made up my mind to be your friend." +</p> +<p> + "I am much obliged to your ladyship," he answered, without moving a + muscle. For you see, he did not believe her. +</p> +<p> + "Now tell me, then, Signor Nino, are you in earnest in what you are + doing? Do you really set your heart on doing this thing?" +</p> +<p> + "What?" asked Nino, annoyed at the persistence of the woman. +</p> +<p> + "Why need you be afraid to understand me? Can you not forgive me? Can + you not believe in me that I will be your friend? I have always + dreamed of being the friend of a great artist. Let me be yours, and + believe me, the thing you have in your heart shall be done." +</p> +<p> + "I would like to hope so," he said. But he smiled incredulously. "I + can only say that if you can accomplish what it is in my heart to do, + I will go through fire and water at your bidding; and if you are not + mocking me, I am very grateful for the offer. But if you please, + signora, we will not speak any more of this at present. I may be a + great artist some day. Sometimes I feel sure that I shall. But now I + am simply Giovanni Cardegna, teacher of literature; and the highest + favour you can confer on me is not to deprive me of my means of + support by revealing to the Conte di Lira my other occupation. I may + fail hopelessly at the outset of my artistic career, and in that case + I shall certainly remain a teacher of language." +</p> +<p> + "Very well," said the baroness, in a subdued voice; for, in spite of + her will and wilfulness, this square-faced boy of mine was more than a + match for her. "Very well, you will believe me another day, and now I + will ask you to go, for I am tired." +</p> +<p> + I cannot be interrupted by your silly questions about the exact way in + which things happened. I must tell this story in my own way or not at + all; and I am sacrificing a great deal to your taste in cutting out + all the little things that I really most enjoy telling. Whether you + are astonished at the conduct of the baroness, after a three weeks' + acquaintance, or not, I care not a fig. It is just the way it + happened, and I daresay she was really madly in love with Nino. If I + had been Nino I should have been in love with her. But I would like + you to admire my boy's audacity, and to review the situation, before I + go on to speak of that important event in his life, his first + appearance on the boards of the opera. At the time of his <i>dĂ©but</i> he + was still disguised as a teacher of Italian to the young contessina. + She thought him interesting and intelligent, but that was all. Her + thoughts were entirely, though secretly, engrossed by the mysterious + singer whom she had heard twice but had not seen as far as she knew. + Nino, on the other hand, loved her to desperation, and would have + acted like a madman had he been deprived of his privilege of speaking + to her three times a week. He loved her with the same earnest + determination to win her that he had shown for years in the study of + his art, and with all the rest of his nature besides, which is saying + much—not to mention his soul, of which he thinks a great deal more + than I do. +</p> +<p> + Besides this, the baroness had apparently fallen in love with him, had + made him her intimate, and flattered him in a way to turn his head. + Then she seemed to have thought better of her passion, and had + promised him her friendship,—a promise which he himself considered of + no importance whatever. As for the old Conte de Lira, he read the + German newspapers, and cared for none of these things. De Pretis took + an extra pinch of his good snuff, when he thought that his liberal + ideas might yet be realised, and a man from the people marry a great + lady by fairly winning her. Do not, after this, complain that I have + left you in the dark, or that you do not know how it happened. It is + as clear as water, and it was about four months from the time Nino saw + Hedwig in St. Peter's to the time when he first sang in public. +</p> +<p> + Christmas passed by,—thank heaven the municipality has driven away + those most detestable pifferari who played on their discordant + bagpipes at every corner for a fortnight, and nearly drove me + crazy,—and the Befana, as we call the Epiphany in Rome, was gone, + with its gay racket, and the night fair in the Piazza Navona, and the + days for Nino's first appearance drew near. I never knew anything + about the business arrangements for the <i>dĂ©but</i>, since De Pretis + settled all that with Jacovacci, the impresario; but I know that there + were many rehearsals, and that I was obliged to stand security to the + theatrical tailor, together with De Pretis, in order that Nino might + have his dress made. As for the cowl in the last act, De Pretis has a + brother who is a monk, and between them they put together a very + decent friar's costume; and Mariuccia had a good piece of rope which + Nino used for a girdle. +</p> +<p> + "What does it matter?" he said, with much good sense. "For if I sing + well, they will not look at my monk's hood; and if I sing badly, I may + be dressed like the Holy Father and they will hiss me just the same. + But in the beginning I must look like a courtier, and be dressed like + one." +</p> +<p> + "I suppose so," said I; "but I wish you had taken to philosophy." +</p> +<a name="chapter_6"></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h3> + CHAPTER VI +</h3> +<p> + I shall never forget the day of Nino's first appearance. You may + imagine whether we were in a state of excitement or not, after all + these years of studying and waiting. There was much more trouble and + worry than if he had written a great book, and was just to publish it, + and receive the homage of all the learning and talent in Europe; which + is the kind of <i>dĂ©but</i> I had hoped he would make in life, instead + of putting on a foolish dress and stamping about on a stage, and + squalling love songs to a packed house, making pantomime with his + hands, and altogether behaving like an idiot,—a crowd of people ready + to hiss him at the slightest indication of weakness, or to carry him + on their shoulders if they fancied his voice to their taste. +</p> +<p> + No wonder Nino was sad and depressed all day, and when he tried his + voice in the afternoon thought it was less clear than usual, and + stared at himself in the looking-glass, wondering whether he were not + too ugly altogether, as I always told him. To tell the truth, he was + not so ugly as he had been; for the months with the contessina had + refined him singularly, and perhaps he had caught a certain grace of + manner from the baroness. He had grown more silent too, and seemed + always preoccupied, as well he might be: but he had concealed his + affair with the Lira family from me until that day, and I supposed him + anxious about his appearance. +</p> +<p> + Early in the morning came De Pretis, and suggested that it would be + better for Nino to take a walk and breathe the fresh air a little; so + I bade him go, and I did not see him again until the afternoon. De + Pretis said that the only cause for anxiety was from stage fright, and + went away taking snuff and flourishing his immense cotton + handkerchief. I thought a man must be a fool to work for years in + order to sing, and then, when he had learned to do it quite well, to + be afraid of showing what he knew. I did not think Nino would be + frightened. +</p> +<p> + Of course there was a final rehearsal at eleven, and Nino put off the + hour of the lesson with the contessina to three in the afternoon, by + some excuse or other. He must have felt very much pressed for time, + having to give her a lesson on the very day of his coming out; and + besides, he knew very well that it might be the last of his days with + her, and that a great deal would depend on the way he bore himself at + his trial. He sang badly, or thought he did, at the rehearsal, and + grew more and more depressed and grave as the day advanced. He came + out of the little stage door of the Apollo theatre at Tor di Nona, and + his eyes fell upon the broad bills and posters announcing the first + appearance of "Giovanni Cardegna, the most distinguished pupil of the + Maestro Ercole de Pretis, in Donizetti's opera the 'Favorita.'" His + heart sank at the sight of his own name, and he turned towards the + Bridge of Sant' Angelo to get away from it. He was the last to leave + the theatre, and De Pretis was with him. +</p> +<p> + At that moment he saw Hedwig von Lira sitting in an open carriage in + front of the box office. De Pretis bowed low; she smiled; and Nino + took off his hat, but would not go near her, escaping in the opposite + direction. He thought she looked somewhat surprised, but his only idea + was to get away, lest she should call him and put some awkward + question. +</p> +<p> + An hour and a half later he entered her sitting-room. There she sat, + as usual, with her books, awaiting him perhaps for the last time, a + fair, girlish figure with gold hair, but oh, so cold!—it makes me + shiver to think of how she used to look. Possibly there was a + dreaminess about her blue eyes that made up for her manner; but how + Nino could love her I cannot understand. It must have been like making + love to a pillar of ice. +</p> +<p> + "I am much indebted to you for allowing me to come at this hour, + signorina," he said, as he bowed. +</p> +<p> + "Ah, professore, it looks almost as though it were you yourself who + were to make your <i>dĂ©but</i>" said she, laughing and leaning back in her + chair. "Your name is on every corner in Rome, and I saw you coming out + of a side door of the theatre this morning." Nino trembled, but + reflected that if she had suspected anything she would not have made + so light of it. +</p> +<p> + "The fact is, signorina, my cousin is so nervous that he begged me + earnestly to be present at the rehearsal this morning; and as it is + the great event of his life, I could not easily refuse him. I presume + you are going to hear him, since I saw your carriage at the theatre." +</p> +<p> + "Yes. At the last minute my father wanted to change our box for one + nearer the stage, and so we went ourselves. The baroness—you know, + the lady who went with us to the Pantheon—is going with us to-night." + It was the first time Hedwig had mentioned her, and it was evident + that Nino's intimacy with the baroness had been kept a secret. How + long would it be so? Mechanically he proceeded with the lesson, + thinking mournfully that he should never give her another. But Hedwig + was more animated than he had ever seen her, and often stopped to ask + questions about the coming performance. It was evident that she was + entirely absorbed with the thought of at last hearing to its fullest + extent the voice that had haunted her dreams; most of all, with the + anticipation of what this wonderful singer would be like. Dwelling on + the echo of his singing for months had roused her interest and + curiosity to such a pitch that she could hardly be quiet a moment, or + think calmly of what she was to enjoy; and yet she looked so very cold + and indifferent at most times. But Nino had noticed all this, and + rejoiced at it; young as he was, however, he understood that the + discovery she was about to make would be a shock that would certainly + produce some palpable result, when she should see him from her box in + the theatre. He trembled for the consequences. +</p> +<p> + The lesson was over all too soon, and Nino lingered a moment to see + whether the very last drops of his cup of happiness might not still be + sweet. He did not know when he should see her again, to speak with + her; and though he determined it should not be long, the future seemed + very uncertain, and he would look on her loveliness while he might. +</p> +<p> + "I hope you will like my cousin's singing," he said, rather timidly. +</p> +<p> + "If he sings as he has sung before he is the greatest artist living," + she said calmly, as though no one would dispute it. "But I am curious + to see him as well as to hear him." +</p> +<p> + "He is not handsome," said Nino, smiling a little. "In fact, there is + a family resemblance; he is said to look like me." +</p> +<p> + "Why did you not tell me that before?" she asked quickly, and fixed + her blue eyes on Nino's face as though she wished to photograph the + features in her mind. +</p> +<p> + "I did not suppose the signorina would think twice about a singer's + appearance," said Nino quietly. Hedwig blushed and turned away, + busying herself with her books. At that moment Graf von Lira entered + from the next room. Nino bowed. +</p> +<p> + "Curious is it," said the count, "that you and the + about-to-make-his-appearance tenor should the same name have." +</p> +<p> + "He is a near relation, Signor Conte,—the same whom you heard sing in + the Pantheon. I hope you will like his voice." +</p> +<p> + "That is what we shall see, Signor Professore," answered the other + severely. He had a curious way of bowing, as though he were made only + in two pieces, from his waist to his heels, and from his waist to the + crown of his head. Nino went his way sadly, and wondering how Hedwig + would look when she should recognise him from her box in the theatre + that very evening. +</p> +<p> + It is a terrible and a heart-tearing thing to part from the woman one + loves. That is nothing new, you say. Everyone knows that, perhaps so, + though I think not. Only those can know it who have experienced it, + and for them no explanations are in any way at all necessary. The mere + word "parting" calls up such an infinity of sorrow that it is better + to draw a veil over the sad thing and bury it out of sight and put + upon it the seal on which is graven "No Hope." +</p> +<p> + Moreover, when a man only supposes, as Nino did, that he is leaving + the woman he loves, or is about to leave her, until he can devise some + new plan for seeing her, the case is not so very serious. + Nevertheless, Nino, who is of a very tender constitution of the + affections, suffered certain pangs which are always hard to bear, and + as he walked slowly down the street he hung his head low, and did not + look like a man who could possibly be successful in anything he might + undertake that day. Yet it was the most important day of his life, and + had it not been that he had left Hedwig with little hope of ever + giving her another lesson, he would have been so happy that the whole + air would have seemed dancing with sunbeams and angels and flowers. I + think that when a man loves he cares very little for what he does. + The greatest success is indifferent to him, and he cares not at all + for failure in the ordinary undertakings of life. These are my + reflections, and they are worth something, because I once loved very + much myself, and was parted from her I loved many times before the + last parting. +</p> +<p> + It was on this day that Nino came to me and told me all the history of + the past months, of which I knew nothing; but, as you know all about + it, I need not tell you what the conversation was like, until he had + finished. Then I told him he was the prince and chief of donkeys, + which was no more than the truth, as everybody will allow. He only + spread out his palms and shrugged his shoulders, putting his head on + one side, as though to say he could not help it. +</p> +<p> + "Is it perhaps my fault that you are a little donkey?" I asked; for + you may imagine whether I was angry or not. +</p> +<p> + "Certainly not, Sor Cornelio," he said. "It is entirely my own doing; + but I do not see that I am a donkey." +</p> +<p> + "Blood of Bacchus!" I ejaculated, holding up my hands. "He does not + believe he is a great stupid!" But Nino was not angry at all. He + busied himself a little with his costume, which was laid out on the + piano, with the sword and the tinsel collar and all the rest of it. +</p> +<p> + "I am in love," he said. "What would you have?" +</p> +<p> + "I would have you put a little giudizio, just a grain of judgment and + common sense, into your love affairs. Why, you go about it as though + it were the most innocent thing in the world to disguise yourself, and + present yourself as a professor in a nobleman's house, in order to + make love to his daughter! You, to make love to a noble damigella, a + young countess, with a fortune! Go back to Serveti, and marry the + first contadina girl you meet, it is much more fitting, if you must + needs marry at all. I repeat it, you are an ignorant donkey!" +</p> +<p> + "Eh!" cried Nino, perfectly unmoved, "if I am ignorant, it is not for + lack of your teaching; and as for being the beast of burden to which + you refer, I have heard it said that you were once in love yourself. + Meanwhile, I have told you this, because there will perhaps be + trouble, and I did not intend you to be surprised." +</p> +<p> + "Surprised?" said I. "I would not be surprised at anything you might + fancy doing now. No, I would not dream of being surprised!" +</p> +<p> + "So much the better," answered Nino, imperturbably. He looked sad and + weary, though, and as I am a prudent man I put my anger away to cool + for a little while, and indulged in a cigar until it should be time to + go to the theatre; for of course I went with him, and Mariuccia too, + to help him with his dress. Poor old Mariuccia! she had dressed him + when he was a ragged little boy, and she was determined to put the + finishing touches to his appearance now that he was about to be a + great man, she said. His dressing-room was a narrow little place, + sufficiently ill lighted, and there was barely space to turn round. + Mariuccia, who had brought the cat and had her pocket full of roasted + chestnuts, sat outside on a chair until he was ready for her; and I am + sure that if she had spent her life in the profession of adorning + players she could not have used her fingers more deftly in the + arrangement of the collar and sword. Nino had a fancy to wear a + moustache and a pointed beard through the first part of the opera; + saying that a courtier always had hair on his face, but that he would + naturally shave if he turned monk. I represented to him that it was + needless expense, since he must deposit the value of the false beard + with the theatre barber, who lives opposite; and it was twenty-three + francs. Besides, he would look like a different man—two separate + characters. +</p> +<p> + "I do not care a cabbage for that," said Nino. If they cannot + recognise me with their ears, they need not trouble themselves to + recognise me at all." +</p> +<p> + "It is a fact that their ears are quite long enough," said Mariuccia. +</p> +<p> + "Hush, Mariuccia!" I said. "The Roman public is the most intelligent + public in the world." And at this she grumbled. +</p> +<p> + But I knew well enough why he wanted to wear the beard. He had a fancy + to put off the evil moment as long as possible, so that Hedwig might + not recognise him till the last act,—a foolish fancy, in truth, for a + woman's eyes are not like a man's; and though Hedwig had never thought + twice about Nino's personality, she had not sat opposite him three + times a week for nearly four months without knowing all his looks and + gestures. It is an absurd idea, too, to attempt to fence with time, + when a thing must come in the course of an hour or two. What is it, + after all, the small delay you can produce? The click of a few more + seconds in the clock-work, before the hammer smites its angry warning + on the bell, and leaves echoes of pain writhing through the poor + bronze, that is Time. As for Eternity, it is a question of the + calculus, and does not enter into a singer's first appearance, nor + into the recognition of a lover. If it did, I would give you an + eloquent dissertation upon it, so that you would yawn and take snuff, + and wish me carried off by the diavolo to some place where I might + lecture on the infinite without fear of being interrupted, or of + keeping sinners like you unnecessarily long awake. There will be no + hurry then. Poor old diavolo! he must have a dull time of it amongst + all those heretics. Perhaps he has a little variety, for they say he + has written up on his door, "Ici l'on parle français," since Monsieur + de Voltaire died. But I must go on, or you will never be any wiser + than you are now, which is not saying overmuch. +</p> +<p> + I am not going to give you a description of the "Favorita," which you + may hear a dozen times a year at the theatre, for more or less + money—but it is only a franc if you stand; quite enough, too. I went + upon the stage before it began, and peeped through the curtain to see + what kind of an audience there was. It is an old curtain, and there is + a hole in it on the right-hand side, which De Pretis says was made by + a foreign tenor some years ago between the acts; and Jacovacci, the + impresario, tried to make him pay five francs to have it repaired, but + did not get the money. It is a better hole than the one in the middle, + which is so far from both sides of the house that you cannot see the + people well. So I looked through, and there, sure enough, in a box + very near to the stage, sat the Contessina di Lira and the baroness, + whom I had never seen before, but recognised from Nino's description; + and behind them sat the count himself, with his great gray moustaches + and a white cravat. They made me think of the time when I used to go + to the theatre myself and sit in a box, and applaud or hiss, just as I + pleased. Dio mio! what changes in this world! +</p> +<p> + I recognised also a great many of our noble ladies, with jewels and + other ornaments, and it seemed to me that some of them were much more + beautiful than the German contessina whom Nino had elected to worship, + though she was well enough, to be sure, in white silk and white fur, + with her little gold cross at her throat. To think that a statue like + that, brought up with all the proprieties, should have such a strange + chapter of life! But my eye began to smart from peering through the + little hole, and just then a rough-looking fellow connected with the + stage reminded me that, whatever relation I might be to the primo + tenore, I was not dressed to appear in the first act; then the + audience began to stamp and groan because the performance did not + begin, and I went away again to tell Nino that he had a packed house. + I found De Pretis giving him blackberry syrup, which he had brought + in a bottle, and entreating him to have courage. Indeed, it seemed + to me that Nino had the more courage of the two; for De Pretis + laughed and cried and blew his nose, and took snuff with his great + fat fingers, and acted altogether like a poor fool; while Nino sat on + a rush-bottomed chair and watched Mariuccia, who was stroking the old + cat and nibbling roasted chestnuts, declaring all the while that Nino + was the most beautiful object she had ever seen. Then the bass and the + baritone came together and spoke cheering words to Nino, and invited + him to supper afterwards; but he thanked them kindly, and told them + that he was expected at home, and would go with them after the next + performance—if there ever were a "next." He thought he might fail at + the last minute. +</p> +<p> + Nino had judged more rightly than I when he supposed that his beard + and moustaches would disguise him from Hedwig during the first two + acts. She recognised the wondrous voice, and she saw the strong + resemblance he had spoken of. Once or twice as he looked toward her, + it seemed indeed that the eyes must be his, with their deep circles + and serious gaze. But it was absurd to suppose it anything more than a + resemblance. As the opera advanced, it became evident that Nino was + making a success. Then in the second act it was clear that the success + was growing to be an ovation, and the ovation a furore, in which the + house became entirely demoralised, and vouchsafed to listen only so + long as Nino was singing—screaming with delight before he had + finished what he had to sing in each scene. People sent their servants + away in hot haste to buy flowers wherever they could, and he came back + to his dressing-room, from the second act, carrying bouquets by the + dozen, small bunches and big, such as people had been able to get or + had brought with them. His eyes shone like the coals in Mariuccia's + scaldino, as he entered, and he was pale through his paint. He could + hardly speak for joy; but, as old habits return unconsciously at great + moments in a man's life, he took the cat on his knee and pulled its + tail. +</p> +<p> + "Sing thou also, little beast," he said, gravely; and he pulled the + tail till the cat squeaked a little, and he was satisfied. +</p> +<p> + "Bene!" he cried; "and now for the tonsure and the frock." So + Mariuccia was turned out into the passage while he changed his dress. + De Pretis came back a moment later and tried to help him, but he was + so much overcome that he could only shed tears and give a last word of + advice for the next act. +</p> +<p> + "You must not sing it too loud, Nino mio," he said. +</p> +<p> + "Diavolo!" said Nino. "I should think not!" +</p> +<p> + "But you must not squeak it out in a little wee false voice, as small + as this"; the maestro held up his thumb and finger, with a pinch of + snuff between them. +</p> +<p> + "Bah? Sor Ercole, do you take me for a soprano?" cried the boy, + laughing, as he washed off the paint and the gum where the beard had + stuck. Presently he got into his frock, which, as I told you, was a + real one, provided by Ercole's brother, the Franciscan—quite quietly, + of course, for it would seem a dreadful thing to use a real monk's + frock in an opera. Then we fastened the rope round his waist, and + smoothed his curly hair a little to give him a more pious aspect. He + looked as white as a pillow when the paint was gone. +</p> +<p> + "Tell me a little, my father," said old Mariuccia, mocking him, "do + you fast on Sundays, that you look so pale?" Whereat Nino struck an + attitude, and began singing a love song to the ancient woman. Indeed, + she was joking about the fast, for she had expended my substance of + late in fattening Nino, as she called it, for his appearance, and + there was to be broiled chickens for supper that very night. He was + only pale because he was in love. As for me, I made up my mind to + stand in the slides, so that I could see the contessina; for Nino had + whispered to me that she had not yet recognised him, though she stared + hard across the footlights. Therefore I took up a good position on the + left of the stage, facing the Lira box, which was on the right. +</p> +<p> + The curtain went up, and Nino stood there, looking like a real monk, + with a book in his hand and his eyes cast down, as he began to walk + slowly along. I saw Hedwig von Lira's gaze rest on his square, pale + face at least one whole minute. Then she gave a strange little cry, so + that many people in the house looked towards her; and she leaned far + back in the shadow of the deep box, while the reflected glare of the + footlights just shone faintly on her features, making them look more + like marble than ever. The baroness was smiling to herself, amused at + her companion's surprise, and the old count stared stolidly for a + moment or two, and then turned suddenly to his daughter. +</p> +<p> + "Very curious is it," he was probably saying, "that this tenor should + so much your Italian professor resemble." I could almost see his gray + eyes sparkle angrily across the theatre. But as I looked, a sound + rose on the heated air, the like of which I have never known. To tell + the truth, I had not heard the first two acts, for I did not suppose + there was any great difference between Nino's singing on the stage and + his singing at home, and I still wished he might have chosen some + other profession. But when I heard this I yielded, at least for the + time, and I am not sure that my eyes were as clear as usual. +</p> +<p> + "Spirto gentil dei sogni miei"—the long sweet notes sighed themselves + to death on his lips, falling and rising magically like a mystic angel + song, and swaying their melody out into the world of lights and + listeners; so pathetic, so heart-breaking, so laden with death and + with love, that it was as though all the sorrowing souls in our poor + Rome breathed in one soft sigh together. Only a poor monk dying of + love in a monastery, tenderly and truly loving to the bitter end. Dio + mio! there are perhaps many such. But a monk like this, with a face + like a conqueror, set square in its whiteness, and yet so wretched to + see in his poor patched frock and his bare feet; a monk, too, not + acting love, but really and truly ready to die for a beautiful woman + not thirty feet from him in the house; above all, a monk with a voice + that speaks like the clarion call of the day of judgment in its wrath, + and murmurs more plaintively and sadly in sorrow than ever the poor + Peri sighed at the gates of Paradise—such a monk, what could he not + make people feel? +</p> +<p> + The great crowd of men and women sat utterly stilled and intent till + he had sung the very last note. Not a sound was heard to offend the + sorrow that spoke from the boy's lips. Then all those people seemed to + draw three long breaths of wonder—a pause, a thrilling tremor in the + air, and then there burst to the roof such a roar of cries, such a + huge thunder of hands and voices, that the whole house seemed to rock + with it, and even in the street outside they say the noise was + deafening. +</p> +<p> + Alone on the stage stood Nino, his eyes fixed on Hedwig von Lira in + her box. I think that she alone of all that multitude made no sound, + but only gripped the edge of the balcony hard in her white hands, and + leaned far forward with straining eyes and beating heart to satisfy + her wonder. She knew well enough, now, that there was no mistake. The + humble little Professor Cardegna, who had patiently explained Dante + and Leopardi to her for months, bowing to the ground in her presence, + and apologising when he corrected her mistakes, as though his whole + life was to be devoted to teaching foreigners his language; the + decently clad young man, who was always pale, and sometimes pathetic + when he spoke of himself, was no other than Giovanni Cardegna the + tenor, singing aloud to earth and heaven with his glorious great + voice—a man on the threshold of a European fame, such as falls only + to the lot of a singer or a conqueror. More, he was the singer of her + dreams, who had for months filled her thoughts with music and her + heart with a strange longing, being until now a voice Only. There he + stood looking straight at her,—she was not mistaken,—as though to + say, "I have done it for you, and for you only." A woman must be more + than marble to feel no pride in the intimate knowledge that a great + public triumph has been gained solely for her sake. She must be colder + than ice if she cannot see her power when a conqueror loves her. +</p> +<p> + The marble had felt the fire, and the ice was in the flame at last. + Nino, with his determination to be loved, had put his statue into a + very fiery furnace, and in the young innocence of his heart had + prepared such a surprise for his lady as might have turned the head of + a hardened woman of the world, let alone an imaginative German girl, + with a taste for romance—or without; it matters little. All Germans + are full of imagination, and that is the reason they know so much. For + they not only know all that is known by other people, but also all + that they themselves imagine, which nobody else can possibly know. And + if you do not believe this, you had better read the works of one + Fichte, a philosopher. +</p> +<p> + I need not tell you any more about Nino's first appearance. It was one + of those really phenomenal successes that seem to cling to certain + people through life. He was very happy and very silent when it was + over; and we were the last to leave the theatre, for we feared the + enthusiasm of the crowd. So we waited till everyone had gone, and then + marched home together, for it was a fine night. I walked on one side + of Nino and De Pretis on the other, all of us carrying as many flowers + as we could; Mariuccia came behind, with the cat under her shawl. I + did not discover until we reached home why she had brought the beast. + Then she explained that, as there was so much food in the kitchen in + anticipation of our supper, she had been afraid to leave the cat alone + in the house, lest we should find nothing left to eat when we + returned. This was sufficiently prudent for a scatter-brained old + spendthrift like Mariuccia. +</p> +<p> + That was a merry supper, and De Pretis became highly dramatic when we + got to the second flask. +</p> +<a name="chapter_7"></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h3> + CHAPTER VII +</h3> +<p> + On the day following Nino's <i>dĂ©but</i>, Maestro Ercole de Pretis found + himself in hot water, and the choristers at St. Peter's noticed that + his skull-cap was awry, and that he sang out of tune; and once he + tried to take a pinch of snuff when there was only three bars' rest in + the music, so that instead of singing C sharp he sneezed very loud. + Then all the other singers giggled, and said, "Salute!"—which we + always say to a person who sneezes—quite audibly. +</p> +<p> + It was not that Ercole had heard anything from the Graf von Lira as + yet; but he expected to hear, and did not relish the prospect. Indeed, + how could the Prussian gentleman fail to resent what the maestro had + done in introducing to him a singer disguised as a teacher? It + chanced, also, that the contessina took a singing lesson that very day + in the afternoon, and it was clear that the reaping of his evil deeds + was not far off. His conscience did not trouble him at all, it is + true, for I have told you that he has liberal ideas about the right + of marriage; but his vanity was sorely afflicted at the idea of + abandoning such a very noble and creditable pupil as the Contessina di + Lira. He applauded himself for furthering Nino's wild schemes, and he + blamed himself for being so reckless about his own interests. Every + moment he expected a formal notice from the count to discontinue the + lessons. But still it did not come, and at the appointed hour Ercole's + wife helped him to put on his thick winter coat, and wrapped his + comforter about his neck, and pulled his big hat over his eyes—for + the weather was threatening, and sent him trudging off to the Palazzo + Carmandola. +</p> +<p> + Though Ercole is stout of heart, and has broad shoulders to bear such + burdens as fall to his lot, he lingered long on the way, for his + presentiments were gloomy; and at the great door of the Palazzo he + even stopped to inquire of the porter whether the contessina had been + seen to go out yet, half hoping that she would thus save him the + mortification of an interview. But it turned out otherwise: the + contessina was at home, and De Pretis was expected, as usual, to give + the lesson. Slowly he climbed the great staircase, and was admitted. +</p> +<p> + "Good-day, Sor Maestro," said the liveried footman, who knew him well. + "The Signor Conte desires to speak with you to-day before you go to + the signorina." +</p> +<p> + The maestro's heart sank, and he gripped hard the roll of music in his + hand as he followed the servant to the count's cabinet. There was to + be a scene of explanation after all. +</p> +<p> + The count was seated in his great arm-chair, in a cloud of tobacco + smoke, reading a Prussian military journal. His stick leaned against + the table by his side, in painful contrast with the glittering cavalry + sabres crossed upon the dark red wall opposite. The tall windows + looked out on the piazza, and it was raining, or just beginning to + rain. The great inkstand on the table was made to represent a + howitzer, and the count looked as though he were ready to fire it + point blank at any intruder. There was an air of disciplined luxury in + the room that spoke of a rich old soldier who fed his fancy with + tit-bits from a stirring past. De Pretis felt very uncomfortable, but + the nobleman rose to greet him, as he rose to greet everything above + the rank of a servant, making himself steady with his stick. When De + Pretis was seated he sat down also. The rain pattered against the + window. +</p> +<p> + "Signor De Pretis," began the count, in tones as hard as chilled + steel, "you are an honourable man." There was something interrogative + in his voice. +</p> +<p> + "I hope so," answered the maestro modestly; "like other Christians, I + have a soul—" +</p> +<p> + "You will your soul take care of in your leisure moments," interrupted + the count. "At present you have no leisure." +</p> +<p> + "As you command, Signor Conte." +</p> +<p> + "I was yesterday evening at the theatre. The professor you recommended + for my daughter is with the new tenor one person." De Pretis spread + out his hands and bowed, as if to deprecate any share in the + transaction. The count continued, "You are of the profession, Signor + De Pretis. Evidently, you of this were aware." +</p> +<p> + "It is true," assented Ercole, not knowing what to say. +</p> +<p> + "Of course it is true. I am therefore to hear your explanation + disposed." His grey eyes fastened sternly on the maestro. But the + latter was prepared, for he had long foreseen that the count would one + day be disposed to hear an explanation, as he expressed it. +</p> +<p> + "It is quite true," repeated De Pretis. "The young man was very poor, + and desired to support himself while he was studying music. He was + well fitted to teach our literature, and I recommended him. I hope + that, in consideration of his poverty, and because he turned out a + very good teacher, you will forgive me, Signor Conte." +</p> +<p> + "This talented singer I greatly applaud," answered the count stiffly. + "As a with-the-capacity-and-learning-requisite-for-teaching-endowed + young man deserves he also some commendation. Also will I remember + his laudable-and-not-lacking independence character. Nevertheless, + unfitting would it be should I pay the first tenor of the opera five + francs an hour to teach my daughter Italian literature." De Pretis + breathed more freely. +</p> +<p> + "Then you will forgive me, Signor Conte, for endeavouring to promote + the efforts of this worthy young man in supporting himself?" +</p> +<p> + "Signor De Pretis," said the count, with a certain quaint geniality, + "I have my precautions observed. I examined Signor Cardegna in Italian + literature in my own person, and him proficient found. Had I found him + to be ignorant, and had I his talents as an operatic singer later + discovered, I would you out of that window have projected." De Pretis + was alarmed, for the old count looked as though he would have carried + out the threat. "As it is," he concluded, "you are an honourable man, + and I wish you good-morning. Lady Hedwig awaits you as usual." He rose + courteously, leaning on his stick, and De Pretis bowed himself out. +</p> +<p> + He expected that the contessina would immediately begin talking of + Nino, but he was mistaken; she never once referred to the opera or the + singer, and except that she looked pale and transparent, and sang with + a trifle less interest in her music than usual, there was nothing + noticeable in her manner. Indeed, she had every reason to be silent. +</p> +<p> + Early that morning Nino received by messenger a pretty little note, + written in execrable Italian, begging him to come and breakfast with + the baroness at twelve, as she much desired to speak with him after + his stupendous triumph of the previous night. +</p> +<p> + Nino is a very good boy, but he is mortal, and after the excitement of + the evening he thought nothing could be pleasanter than to spend a few + hours in that scented boudoir, among the palms and the beautiful + objects and the perfumes, talking with a woman who professed herself + ready to help him in his love affair. We have no perfumes or cushions + or pretty things at number twenty-seven Santa Catarina dei Funari, + though everything is very bright and neat and most proper, and the cat + is kept in the kitchen, for the most part. So it is no wonder that he + should have preferred to spend the morning with the baroness. +</p> +<p> + She was half lying, half sitting, in a deep arm-chair, when Nino + entered; and she was reading a book. When she saw him she dropped the + volume on her knee, and looked up at him from under her lids, without + speaking. She must have been a bewitching figure. Nino advanced toward + her, bowing low, so that his dark curling hair shaded his face. +</p> +<p> + "Good-day, signora," said he softly, as though fearing to hurt the + quiet air. "I trust I do not interrupt you?" +</p> +<p> + "You never interrupt me, Nino," she said, "except—except when you go + away." +</p> +<p> + "You are very good, signora." +</p> +<p> + "For heaven's sake, no pretty speeches," said she, with a little + laugh. +</p> +<p> + "It seems to me," said Nino, seating himself, "that it was you who + made the pretty speech, and I who thanked you for it." There was a + pause. +</p> +<p> + "How do you feel!" asked the baroness at last, turning her head to + him. +</p> +<p> + "Grazie—I am well," he answered, smiling. +</p> +<p> + "Oh, I do not mean that,—you are always well. But how do you enjoy + your first triumph?" +</p> +<p> + "I think," said Nino, "that a real artist ought to have the capacity + to enjoy a success at the moment, and the good sense to blame his + vanity for enjoying it after it is passed." +</p> +<p> + "How old are you, Nino?" +</p> +<p> + "Did I never tell you?" he asked innocently. "I shall be twenty-one + soon." +</p> +<p> + "You talk as though you were forty, at least." +</p> +<p> + "Heaven save us!" quoth Nino. +</p> +<p> + "But really, are you not immensely flattered at the reception you + had?" +</p> +<p> + "Yes." +</p> +<p> + "You did not look at all interested in the public at the time," said + she, "and that Roman nose of yours very nearly turned up in disdain of + the applause, I thought. I wonder what you were thinking of all the + while." +</p> +<p> + "Can you wonder, baronessa?" She knew what he meant, and there was a + little look of annoyance in her face when she answered. +</p> +<p> + "Ah, well, of course not, since <i>she</i> was there." Her ladyship rose, + and taking a stick of Eastern pastil from a majolica dish in a corner + made Nino light it from a wax taper. +</p> +<p> + "I want the smell of the sandal-wood this morning," said she; "I have + a headache." She was enchanting to look at as she bent her + softly-shaded face over the flame to watch the burning perfume. She + looked like a beautiful lithe sorceress making a love spell,—perhaps + for her own use. Nino turned from her. He did not like to allow the + one image he loved to be even for a moment disturbed by the one he + loved not, however beautiful. She moved away, leaving the pastil on + the dish. Suddenly she paused, and turned back to look at him. +</p> +<p> + "Why did you come to-day?" she asked. +</p> +<p> + "Because you desired it," answered Nino, in some astonishment. +</p> +<p> + "You need not have come," she said, bending down to lean on the back + of a silken chair. She folded her hands and looked at him as he stood + not three paces away. "Do you not know what has happened?" she asked, + with a smile that was a little sad. +</p> +<p> + "I do not understand," said Nino simply. He was facing the entrance to + the room, and saw the curtains parted by the servant. The baroness had + her back to the door, and did not hear. +</p> +<p> + "Do you not know," she continued, "that you are free now? Your + appearance in public has put an end to it all. You are not tied to me + any longer,—unless you wish it." +</p> +<p> + As she spoke these words Nino turned white, for under the heavy + curtain, lifted to admit her, stood Hedwig von Lira, like a statue, + transfixed and immovable from what she had heard. The baroness noticed + Nino's look, and springing back to her height from the chair on which + she had been leaning, faced the door. +</p> +<p> + "My dearest Hedwig!" she cried, with a magnificent readiness. "I am so + very glad you have come. I did not expect you in the least. Do take + off your hat, and stay to breakfast. Ah, forgive me; this is Professor + Cardegna. But you know him? Yes; now that I think, we all went to the + Pantheon together." Nino bowed low, and Hedwig bent her head. +</p> +<p> + "Yes," said the young girl coldly. "Professor Cardegna gives me + lessons." +</p> +<p> + "Why, of course; how <i>bĂŞte</i> I am! I was just telling him that, since + he has been successful, and is enrolled among the great artists, it is + a pity he is no longer tied to giving Italian lessons,—tied to coming + here three times a week to teach me literature." Hedwig smiled a + strange icy smile, and sat down by the window. Nino was still utterly + astonished, but he would not allow the baroness's quibble to go + entirely uncontradicted. +</p> +<p> + "In truth," he said, "the Signora Baronessa's lessons consisted + chiefly—" +</p> +<p> + "In teaching me pronunciation," interrupted the baroness, trying to + remove Hedwig's veil and hat, somewhat against the girl's inclination. + "Yes, you see how it is. I know a little of singing, but I cannot + pronounce—not in the least. Ah, these Italian vowels will be the + death of me! But if there is anyone who can teach a poor dilettante to + pronounce them," she added, laying the hat away on a chair, and + pushing a footstool to Hedwig's feet, "that someone is Signor + Cardegna." +</p> +<p> + By this time Nino had recognised the propriety of temporising; that is + to say, of letting the baroness's fib pass for what it was worth, lest + the discussion of the subject should further offend Hedwig, whose eyes + wandered irresolutely toward him, as though she would say something if + he addressed her. +</p> +<p> + "I hope, signorina," he said, "that it is not quite as the baroness + says. I trust our lessons are not at an end?" He knew very well that + they were. +</p> +<p> + "I think, Signor Cardegna," said Hedwig, with more courage than would + have been expected from such a mere child,—she is twenty, but + Northern people are not grown up till they are thirty, at least,—"I + think it would have been more obliging if, when I asked you so much + about your cousin, you had acknowledged that you had no cousin, and + that the singer was none other than yourself." She blushed, perhaps, + but the curtain of the window hid it. +</p> +<p> + "Alas, signorina," answered Nino, still standing before her, "such a + confession would have deprived me of the pleasure—of the honour of + giving you lessons." +</p> +<p> + "And pray, Signor Cardegna," put in the baroness, "what are a few + paltry lessons compared with the pleasure you ought to have + experienced in satisfying the Contessina di Lira's curiosity. Really, + you have little courtesy." +</p> +<p> + Nino shrank into himself, as though he were hurt, and he gave the + baroness a look which said worlds. She smiled at him, in joy of her + small triumph, for Hedwig was looking at the floor again and could not + see. But the young girl had strength in her, for all her cold looks + and white cheek. +</p> +<p> + "You can atone, Signor Cardegna," she said. Nino's face brightened. +</p> +<p> + "How, signorina?" he asked. +</p> +<p> + "By singing to us now," said Hedwig. The baroness looked grave, for + she well knew what a power Nino wielded with his music. +</p> +<p> + "Do not ask him," she protested. "He must be tired,—tired to death, + with all he went through last night." +</p> +<p> + "Tired?" ejaculated Nino, with some surprise. "I tired? I was never + tired in my life of singing. I will sing as long as you will listen." + He went to the piano. As he turned, the baroness laid her hand on + Hedwig's affectionately, as though sympathising with something she + supposed to be passing in the girl's mind. But Hedwig was passive, + unless a little shudder at the first touch of the baroness's fingers + might pass for a manifestation of feeling. Hedwig had hitherto liked + the baroness, finding in her a woman of a certain artistic sense, + combined with a certain originality. The girl was an absolute contrast + to the woman, and admired in her the qualities she thought lacking in + herself, though she possessed too much self-respect to attempt to + acquire them by imitation. Hedwig sat like a Scandinavian fairy + princess on the summit of a glass hill; her friend roamed through life + like a beautiful soft-footed wild animal, rejoicing in the sense of + being, and sometimes indulging in a little playful destruction by the + way. The girl had heard a voice in the dark singing, and ever since + then she had dreamed of the singer; but it never entered her mind to + confide to the baroness her strange fancies. An undisciplined + imagination, securely shielded from all outward disturbing causes, + will do much with a voice in the dark,—a great deal more than such a + woman as the baroness might imagine. +</p> +<p> + I do not know enough about these blue-eyed German girls to say whether + or not Hedwig had ever before thought of her unknown singer as an + unknown lover. But the emotions of the previous night had shaken her + nerves a little, and had she been older than she was she would have + known that she loved her singer, in a distant and maidenly fashion, as + soon as she heard the baroness speak of him as having been her + property. And now she was angry with herself, and ashamed of feeling + any interest in a man who was evidently tied to another woman by some + intrigue she could not comprehend. Her coming to visit the baroness + had been as unpremeditated as it was unexpected that morning, and she + bitterly repented it; but being of good blood and heart, she acted as + boldly as she could, and showed no little tact in making Nino sing, + and thus cutting short a painful conversation. Only when the baroness + tried to caress her and stroke her hand she shrank away, and the blood + mantled up to her cheeks. Add to all this the womanly indignation she + felt at having been so long deceived by Nino, and you will see that + she was in a very vacillating frame of mind. +</p> +<p> + The baroness was a subtle woman, reckless and diplomatic by turns, and + she was not blind to the sudden repulse she met with from Hedwig, + unspoken though it was. But she merely withdrew her hand, and sat + thinking over the situation. What she thought, no one knows; or at + least, we can only guess it from what she did afterwards. As for me, I + have never blamed her at all, for she is the kind of woman I should + have loved. In the meantime Nino carolled out one love song after + another. He saw, however, that the situation was untenable, and after + a while he rose to go. Strange to say, although the baroness had asked + Nino to breakfast and the hour was now at hand, she made no effort to + retain him. But she gave him her hand, and said many flattering and + pleasing things, which, however, neither flattered nor pleased him. As + for Hedwig, she bent her head a little, but said nothing, as he bowed + before her. Nino therefore went home with a heavy heart, longing to + explain to Hedwig why he had been tied to the baroness,—that it was + the price of her silence and of the privilege he had enjoyed of giving + lessons to the contessina; but knowing also that all explanation was + out of the question for the present. When he was gone Hedwig and the + baroness were left together. +</p> +<p> + "It must have been a great surprise to you, my dear," said the elder + lady kindly. +</p> +<p> + "What?" +</p> +<p> + "That your little professor should turn out a great artist in + disguise. It was a surprise to me, too,—ah, another illusion + destroyed. Dear child! You have still so many illusions,—beautiful, + pure illusions. Dieu! how I envy you!" They generally talked French + together, though the baroness knows German. Hedwig laughed bravely. +</p> +<p> + "I was certainly astonished," she said. "Poor man! I suppose he did it + to support himself. He never told me he gave you lessons too." The + baroness smiled, but it was from genuine satisfaction this time. +</p> +<p> + "I wonder at that, since he knew we were intimate, or, at least, that + we were acquainted. Of course I would not speak of it last night, + because I saw your father was angry." +</p> +<p> + "Yes, he was angry. I suppose it was natural," said Hedwig. +</p> +<p> + "Perfectly natural. And you, my dear, were you not angry too,—just a + little?" +</p> +<p> + "I? No. Why should I be angry? He was a very good teacher, for he + knows whole volumes by heart; and he understands them too." +</p> +<p> + Soon they talked of other things, and the baroness was very + affectionate. But though Hedwig saw that her friend was kind and most + friendly, she could not forget the words that were in the air when she + chanced to enter, nor could she quite accept the plausible explanation + of them which the baroness had so readily invented. For jealousy is + the forerunner of love, and sometimes its awakener. She felt a rival + and an enemy, and all the hereditary combativeness of her Northern + blood was roused. +</p> +<p> + Nino, who was in no small perplexity, reflected. He was not old enough + or observant enough to have seen the breach that was about to be + created between the baroness and Hedwig. His only thought was to clear + himself in Hedwig's eyes from the imputation of having been tied to + the dark woman in any way save for his love's sake. He at once began + to hate the baroness with all the ferocity of which his heart was + capable, and with all the calm his bold square face outwardly + expressed. But he was forced to take some action at once, and he could + think of nothing better to do than to consult De Pretis. +</p> +<p> + To the maestro he poured out his woes and his plans. He exhibited to + him his position toward the baroness and toward Hedwig in the clearest + light. He conjured him to go to Hedwig and explain that the baroness + had threatened to unmask him, and thus deprive him of his means of + support,—he dared not put it otherwise,—unless he consented to sing + for her and come to her as often as she pleased. To explain, to + propitiate, to smooth,—in a word, to reinstate Nino in her good + opinion. +</p> +<p> + "Death of a dog!" exclaimed De Pretis; "you do not ask much! After you + have allowed your lady-love, your inamorata, to catch you saying you + are bound body and soul to another woman,—and such a woman! ye + saints, what a beauty!—you ask me to go and set matters right! What + the diavolo did you want to go and poke your nose into such a + mousetrap for? Via! I am a fool to have helped you at all." +</p> +<p> + "Very likely," said Nino calmly. "But meanwhile there are two of us, + and perhaps I am the greater. You will do what I ask, maestro; is it + not true? And it was not I who said it; it was the baroness." +</p> +<p> + "The baroness—yes—and may the maledictions of the inferno overtake + her," said De Pretis, casting up his eyes and feeling in his coat-tail + pockets for his snuff-box. Once, when Nino was younger, he filled + Ercole's snuff-box with soot and pepper, so that the maestro had a + black nose and sneezed all day. +</p> +<p> + What could Ercole do? It was true that he had hitherto helped Nino. + Was he not bound to continue that assistance? I suppose so; but if the + whole affair had ended then, and this story with it, I would not have + cared a button. Do you suppose it amuses me to tell you this tale? Or + that if it were not for Nino's good name I would ever have turned + myself into a common storyteller? Bah! you do not know me. A page of + quaternions gives me more pleasure than all this rubbish put together, + though I am not averse to a little gossip now and then of an evening, + if people will listen to my details and fancies. But those are just + the things people will not listen to. Everybody wants sensation + nowadays. What is a sensation compared with a thought? What is the + convulsive gesticulation of a dead frog's leg compared with the + intellect of the man who invented the galvanic battery, and thus gave + fictitious sensation to all the countless generations of dead frogs' + legs that have since been the objects of experiment? Or if you come + down to so poor a thing as mere feeling, what are your feelings in + reading about Nino's deeds compared with what he felt in doing them? I + am not taking all this trouble to please you, but only for Nino's + sake, who is my dear boy. You are of no more interest or importance to + me than if you were so many dead frogs; and if I galvanise your + sensations, as you call them, into an activity sufficient to make you + cry or laugh, that is my own affair. You need not say "thank you" to + me. I do not want it. Ercole will thank you, and perhaps Nino will + thank me, but that is different. +</p> +<p> + I will not tell you about the interview that Ercole had with Hedwig, + nor how skilfully he rolled up his eyes and looked pathetic when he + spoke of Nino's poverty and of the fine part he had played in the + whole business. Hedwig is a woman, and the principal satisfaction she + gathered from Ercole's explanation was the knowledge that her friend + the baroness had lied to her in explaining those strange words she had + overheard. She knew it, of course, by instinct; but it was a great + relief to be told the fact by someone else, as it always is, even when + one is not a woman. +</p> +<a name="chapter_8"></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h3> + CHAPTER VIII +</h3> +<p> + Several days passed after the <i>dĂ©but</i> without giving Nino an + opportunity of speaking to Hedwig. He probably saw her, for he mingled + in the crowd of dandies in the Piazza Colonna of an afternoon, hoping + she would pass in her carriage and give him a look. Perhaps she did; + he said nothing about it, but looked calm when he was silent and + savage when he spoke, after the manner of passionate people. His face + aged and grew stern in those few days, so that he seemed to change on + a sudden from boy to man. But he went about his business, and sang at + the theatre when he was obliged to; gathering courage to do his best + and to display his powers from the constant success he had. The papers + were full of his praises, saying that he was absolutely without rival + from the very first night he sang, matchless and supreme from the + moment he first opened his mouth, and all that kind of nonsense. I + dare say he is now, but he could not have been really the greatest + singer living, so soon. However, he used to bring me the newspapers + that had notices of him, though he never appeared to care much for + them, nor did he ever keep them himself. He said he hankered for an + ideal which he would never attain, and I told him that if he was never + to attain it he had better abandon the pursuit of it at once. But he + represented to me that the ideal was confined to his imagination, + whereas the reality had a great financial importance, since he daily + received offers from foreign managers to sing for them, at large + advantage to himself, and was hesitating only in order to choose the + most convenient. This seemed sensible, and I was silent. Soon + afterwards he presented me with a box of cigars and a very pretty + amber mouthpiece. The cigars were real Havanas, such as I had not + smoked for years, and must have cost a great deal. +</p> +<p> + "You may not be aware, Sor Cornelio," he said one evening, as he mixed + the oil and vinegar with the salad, at supper, "that I am now a rich + man, or soon shall be. An agent from the London opera has offered me + twenty thousand francs for the season in London this spring." +</p> +<p> + "Twenty thousand francs!" I cried, in amazement. "You must be + dreaming, Nino. That is just about seven times what I earn in a year + with my professorship and my writing." +</p> +<p> + "No dreams, caro mio. I have the offer in my pocket." He apparently + cared no more about it than if he had twenty thousand roasted + chestnuts in his pocket. +</p> +<p> + "When do you leave us?" I asked, when I was somewhat recovered. +</p> +<p> + "I am not sure that I will go," he answered, sprinkling some pepper on + the lettuce. +</p> +<p> + "Not sure! Body of Diana, what a fool you are!" +</p> +<p> + "Perhaps," said he, and he passed me the dish. Just then Mariuccia + came in with a bottle of wine, and we said no more about it, for + Mariuccia is indiscreet. +</p> +<p> + Nino thought nothing about his riches, because he was racking his + brains for some good expedient whereby he might see the contessina and + speak with her. He had ascertained from De Pretis that the count was + not so angry as he had expected, and that Hedwig was quite satisfied + with the explanations of the maestro. The day after the foregoing + conversation he wrote a note to her, wherein he said that if the + Contessina de Lira would deign to be awake at midnight that evening + she would have a serenade from a voice she was said to admire. He had + Mariuccia carry the letter to the Palazzo Cormandola. +</p> +<p> + At half-past eleven, at least two hours after supper, Nino wrapped + himself in my old cloak and took the guitar under his arm. Rome is not + a very safe place for midnight pranks, and so I made him take a good + knife in his waistbelt; for he had confided to me where he was going. + I tried to dissuade him from the plan, saying he might catch cold; but + he laughed at me. +</p> +<p> + A serenade is an everyday affair, and in the street one voice sounds + about as well as another. He reached the palace, and his heart sank + when he saw Hedwig's window dark and gloomy. He did not know that she + was seated behind it in a deep chair, wrapped in white things, and + listening for him against the beatings of her heart. The large moon + seemed to be spiked on the sharp spire of the church that is near her + house, and the black shadows cut the white light as clean as with a + knife. Nino had tuned his guitar in the other street, and stood ready, + waiting for the clocks to strike. Presently they clanged out wildly, + as though they had been waked from their midnight sleep, and were + angry; one clock answering the other, and one convent bell following + another in the call to prayers. For two full minutes the whole air was + crazy with ringing, and then it was all still. Nino struck a single + chord. Hedwig almost thought he might hear her heart beating all the + way down the street. +</p> +<p> + "Ah, del mio dolce ardor bramato ogetto," he sang,—an old air in one + of Gluck's operas that our Italian musicians say was composed by + Alessandro Stradella, the poor murdered singer. It must be a very good + air, for it pleases me; and I am not easily pleased with music of any + kind. As for Hedwig, she pressed her ear to the glass of the window + that she might not lose any note. But she would not open nor give any + sign. Nino was not so easily discouraged, for he remembered that once + before she had opened her window for a few bars he had begun to sing. + He played a few chords, and breathed out the "Salve, dimora casta e + pura," from <i>Faust</i>, high and soft and clear. There is a point in that + song, near to the end, where the words say, "Reveal to me the maiden," + and where the music goes away to the highest note that anyone can + possibly sing. It always appears quite easy for Nino, and he does not + squeak like a dying pig as all the other tenors do on that note. He + was looking up as he sang it, wondering whether it would have any + effect. Apparently Hedwig lost her head completely, for she gently + opened the casement and looked out at the moonlight opposite, over the + carved stone mullions of her window. The song ended, he hesitated + whether to go or to sing again. She was evidently looking towards him; + but he was in the light, for the moon had risen higher, and she, on + the other side of the street, was in the dark. +</p> +<p> + "Signorina!" he called softly. No answer. "Signorina!" he said again, + coming across the empty street and standing under the window, which + might have been thirty feet from the ground. +</p> +<p> + "Hush!" came a whisper from above. +</p> +<p> + "I thank you with all my soul for listening to me," he said, in a low + voice. "I am innocent of that of which you suspect me. I love you, ah, + I love you!" But at this she left the window very quickly. She did + not close it, however, and Nino stood long, straining his eyes for a + glimpse of the white face that had been there. He sighed, and, + striking a chord, sang out boldly the old air from the <i>Trovatore</i>, + "Ah, che la morte ognora è tarda nel venir." Every blind fiddler in + the streets plays it, though he would be sufficiently scared if death + came any the quicker for his fiddling. But old and worn as it is it + has a strain of passion in it, and Nino threw more fire and voice into + the ring of it than ever did famous old Boccardè, when he sang it at + the first performance of the opera, thirty and odd years ago. As he + played the chords after the first strophe, the voice from above + whispered again: +</p> +<p> + "Hush! for Heaven's sake!" Just that, and something fell at his feet, + with a soft little padded sound on the pavement. He stooped to pick it + up, and found a single rose; and at that instant the window closed + sharply. Therefore he kissed the rose and hid it, and presently he + strode down the street, finishing his song as he went, but only + humming it, for the joy had taken his voice away. I heard him let + himself in and go to bed, and he told me about it in the morning. That + is how I know. +</p> +<p> + Since the day after the <i>dĂ©but</i> Nino had not seen the baroness. He did + not speak of her, and I am sure he wished she were at the very bottom + of the Tiber. But on the morning after the serenade he received a note + from her, which was so full of protestations of friendship and so + delicately couched that he looked grave, and reflected that it was his + duty to be courteous, and to answer such a call as that. She begged + him earnestly to come at one o'clock; she was suffering from headache, + she said, and was very weak. Had Nino loved Hedwig a whit the less he + would not have gone. But he felt himself strong enough to face + anything and everything, and therefore he determined to go. +</p> +<p> + He found her, indeed, with the manner of a person who is ill, but not + with the appearance. She was lying on a huge couch, pushed to the + fireside, and there were furs about her. A striped scarf of rich + Eastern silk was round her throat, and she held in her hand a new + novel, of which she carelessly cut the pages with a broad-hafted + Persian knife. But there was colour in her dark cheek, and a sort of + angry fire in her eyes. Nino thought the clean steel in her hand + looked as though it might be used for something besides cutting + leaves, if the fancy took her. +</p> +<p> + "So at last you have honoured me with a visit, signore," she said, not + desisting from her occupation. Nino came to her, and she put out her + hand. He touched it, but could not bear to hold it, for it burned him. +</p> +<p> + "You used to honour my hand differently from that," she half + whispered. Nino sat himself down a little way from her, blushing + slightly. It was not at what she had said, but at the thought that he + should ever have kissed her fingers. +</p> +<p> + "Signora," he replied, "there are customs, chivalrous and gentle in + themselves, and worthy for all men to practise. But from the moment a + custom begins to mean what it should not, it ought to be abandoned. + You will forgive me if I no longer kiss your hand." +</p> +<p> + "How cold you are!—how formal! What should it mean?" +</p> +<p> + "It is better to say too little than too much," he answered. +</p> +<p> + "Bah!" she cried, with a bitter little laugh. "Words are silver, but + silence—is very often nothing but silver-plated brass. Put a little + more wood on the fire; you make me cold." Nino obeyed. +</p> +<p> + "How literal you are!" said the baroness petulantly. "There is fire + enough on the hearth." +</p> +<p> + "Apparently, signora, you are pleased to be enigmatical," said Nino. +</p> +<p> + "I will be pleased to be anything I please," she answered, and looked + at him rather fiercely. "I wanted you to drive away my headache, and + you only make it worse." +</p> +<p> + "I am sorry, signora. I will leave you at once. Permit me to wish you + a very good-morning." He took his hat and went towards the door. + Before he reached the heavy curtain, she was at his side with a rush + like a falcon on the wing, her eyes burning darkly between anger and + love. +</p> +<p> + "Nino!" She laid hold of his arm, and looked into his face. +</p> +<p> + "Signora," he protested coldly, and drew back. +</p> +<p> + "You will not leave me so?" +</p> +<p> + "As you wish, signora. I desire to oblige you." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, how cold you are!" she cried, leaving his arm, and sinking into a + chair by the door, while he stood with his hand on the curtain. She + hid her eyes. "Nino, Nino! You will break my heart!" she sobbed; and a + tear, perhaps more of anger than of sorrow, burst through her fingers, + and coursed down her cheek. +</p> +<p> + Few men can bear to see a woman shed tears. Nino's nature rose up in + his throat, and bade him console her. But between him and her was a + fair, bright image that forbade him to move hand or foot. +</p> +<p> + "Signora," he said, with all the calm he could command, "if I were + conscious of having by word or deed of mine given you cause to speak + thus, I would humbly implore your forgiveness. But my heart does not + accuse me. I beg you to allow me to take leave of you. I will go + away, and you shall have no further cause to think of me." He moved + again, and lifted the curtain. But she was like a panther, so quick + and beautiful. Ah, how I could have loved that woman! She held him, + and would not let him go, her smooth fingers fastening round his + wrists like springs. +</p> +<p> + "Please to let me go," he said, between his teeth, with rising anger. +</p> +<p> + "No! I will not let you!" she cried fiercely, tightening her grasp on + him. Then the angry fire in her tearful eyes seemed suddenly to melt + into a soft flame, and the colour came faster to her cheeks. "Ah, how + can you let me so disgrace myself! how can you see me fallen so low as + to use the strength of my hands, and yet have no pity? Nino, Nino, do + not kill me!" +</p> +<p> + "Indeed, it would be the better for you if I should," he answered + bitterly, but without attempting to free his wrists from the strong, + soft grip. +</p> +<p> + "But you will," she murmured, passionately. "You are killing me by + leaving me. Can you not see it?" Her voice melted away in the tearful + cadence. But Nino stood gazing at her as stonily as though he were the + Sphinx. How could he have the heart? I cannot tell. Long she looked + into his eyes, silently; but she might as well have tried to animate a + piece of iron, so stern and hard he was. Suddenly, with a strong + convulsive movement, she flung his hands from her. +</p> +<p> + "Go!" she cried hoarsely. "Go to that wax doll you love, and see + whether she will love you, or care whether you leave her or not! Go, + go, go! Go to her!" She had sprung far back from him, and now pointed + to the door, drawn to her full height and blazing in her wrath. +</p> +<p> + "I would advise you, madam, to speak with proper respect of any lady + with whom you choose to couple my name." His lips opened and shut + mechanically, and he trembled from head to foot. +</p> +<p> + "Respect!" She laughed wildly. "Respect for a mere child whom you + happen to fancy! Respect, indeed, for anything you choose to do! + I—I—respect Hedwig von Lira? Ha! ha!" and she rested her hand on the + table behind her, as she laughed. +</p> +<p> + "Be silent, madam," said Nino, and he moved a step nearer, and stood + with folded arms. +</p> +<p> + "Ah! You would silence me now, would you? You would rather not hear me + speak of your midnight serenades, and your sweet letters dropped from + the window of her room at your feet?" But her rage overturned itself, + and with a strange cry she fell into a deep chair, and wept bitterly, + burying her face in her two hands. "Miserable woman that I am!" she + sobbed, and her whole lithe body was convulsed. +</p> +<p> + "You are indeed," said Nino, and he turned once more to go. But as he + turned, the servant threw back the curtain. +</p> +<p> + "The Signor Conte di Lira," he announced, in distinct tones. For a + moment there was a dead silence, during which, in spite of his + astonishment at the sudden appearance of the count, Nino had time to + reflect that the baroness had caused him to be watched during the + previous night. It might well be, and the mistake she made in + supposing the thing Hedwig had dropped to be a letter told him that + her spy had not ventured very near. +</p> +<p> + The tall count came forward under the raised curtains, limping and + helping himself with his stick. His face was as gray and wooden as + ever, but his moustaches had an irritated, crimped look that Nino did + not like. The count barely nodded to the young man as he stood aside + to let the old gentleman pass; his eyes turned mechanically to where + the baroness sat. She was a woman who had no need to simulate passion + in any shape, and it must have cost her a terrible effort to control + the paroxysm of anger and shame and grief that had overcome her. There + was something unnatural and terrifying in her sudden calm, as she + forced herself to rise and greet her visitor. +</p> +<p> + "I fear I come out of season," he said, apologetically, as he bent + over her hand. +</p> +<p> + "On the contrary," she answered; "but forgive me if I speak one word + to Professor Cardegna." She went to where Nino was standing. +</p> +<p> + "Go into that room," she said, in a very low voice, glancing towards a + curtained door opposite the windows, "and wait till he goes. You may + listen if you choose." She spoke authoritatively. +</p> +<p> + "I will not," answered Nino, in a determined whisper. +</p> +<p> + "You will not?" Her eyes flashed again. He shook his head. +</p> +<p> + "Count von Lira," she said aloud, turning to him, "do you know this + young man?" She spoke in Italian, and Von Lira answered in the same + language; but as what he said was not exactly humorous, I will spare + you the strange construction of his sentences. +</p> +<p> + "Perfectly," he answered. "It is precisely concerning this young man + that I desire to speak with you." The count remained standing because + the baroness had not told him to be seated. +</p> +<p> + "That is fortunate," replied the baroness, "for I wish to inform you + that he is a villain, a wretch, a miserable fellow!" Her anger was + rising again, but she struggled to control it. When Nino realised what + she said he came forward and stood near the count, facing the + baroness, his arms folded on his breast, as though to challenge + accusation. The count raised his eyebrows. +</p> +<p> + "I am aware that he concealed his real profession so long as he gave + my daughter lessons. That, however, has been satisfactorily explained, + though I regret it. Pray inform me why you designate him as a + villain." Nino felt a thrill of sympathy for this man whom he had so + long deceived. +</p> +<p> + "This man, sir," said she, in measured tones, "this low-born singer, + who has palmed himself off on us as a respectable instructor in + language, has the audacity to love your daughter. For the sake of + pressing his odious suit he has wormed himself into your house as into + mine; he has sung beneath your daughter's window, and she has dropped + letters to him,—love-letters, do you understand? And now,"—her voice + rose more shrill and uncontrollable at every word, as she saw Lira's + face turn white, and her anger gave desperate utterance to the + lie,—"and now he has the effrontery to come to me—to me—to me of + all women—and to confess his abominable passion for that pure angel, + imploring me to assist him in bringing destruction upon her and you. + Oh, it is execrable, it is vile, it is hellish!" She pressed her hands + to her temples as she stood, and glared at the two men. The count was + a strong man, easily petulant, but hard to move to real anger. Though + his face was white and his right hand clutched his crutch-stick, he + still kept the mastery of himself. +</p> +<p> + "Is what you tell me true, madam?" he asked in a strange voice. +</p> +<p> + "Before God, it is true!" she cried, desperately. +</p> +<p> + The old man looked at her for one moment, and then, as though he had + been twenty years younger, he made at Nino, brandishing his stick to + strike. But Nino is strong and young, and he is almost a Roman. He + foresaw the count's action, and his right hand stole to the table and + grasped the clean, murderous knife; the baroness had used it so + innocently to cut the leaves of her book half an hour before. With one + wrench he had disarmed the elder man, forced him back upon a lounge, + and set the razor edge of his weapon against the count's throat. +</p> +<p> + "If you speak one word, or try to strike me, I will cut off your + head," he said quietly, bringing his cold, marble face close down to + the old man's eyes. There was something so deathly in his voice, in + spite of its quiet sound, that the count thought his hour was come, + brave man as he was. The baroness tottered back against the opposite + wall, and stood staring at the two, dishevelled and horrified. +</p> +<p> + "This woman," said Nino, still holding the cold thing against the + flesh, "lies in part, and in part tells the truth I love your + daughter, it is true." The poor old man quivered beneath Nino's + weight, and his eyes rolled wildly, searching for some means of + escape. But it was of no use. "I love her, and have sung beneath her + window; but I never had a written word from her in my life, and I + neither told this woman of my love nor asked her assistance. She + guessed it at the first; she guessed the reason of my disguise, and + she herself offered to help me. You may speak now. Ask her." Nino + relaxed his hold, and stood off, still grasping the knife. The old + count breathed, shook himself and passed his handkerchief over his + face before he spoke. The baroness stood as though she were petrified. +</p> +<p> + "Thunder weather, you are a devilish young man!" said Von Lira, still + panting. Then he suddenly recovered his dignity. "You have caused me + to assault this young man by what you told me," he said, struggling to + his feet. "He defended himself, and might have killed me, had he + chosen. Be good enough to tell me whether he has spoken the truth or + you." +</p> +<p> + "He has spoken—the truth," answered the baroness, staring vacantly + about her. Her fright had taken from her even the faculty of lying. + Her voice was low, but she articulated the words distinctly. Then, + suddenly, she threw up her hands, with a short quick scream, and fell + forward, senseless, on the floor. Nino looked at the count, and + dropped his knife on a table. The count looked at Nino. +</p> +<p> + "Sir," said the old gentleman, "I forgive you for resisting my + assault. I do not forgive you for presuming to love my daughter, and I + will find means to remind you of the scandal you have brought on my + house." He drew himself up to his full height. Nino handed him his + crutch-stick civilly. +</p> +<p> + "Signor Conte," he said simply, but with all his natural courtesy, "I + am sorry for this affair, to which you forced me,—or rather the + Signora Baronessa forced us both. I have acted foolishly, perhaps, but + I am in love. And permit me to assure you, sir, that I will yet marry + the Signorina di Lira, if she consents to marry me." +</p> +<p> + "By the name of Heaven," swore the old count, "if she wants to marry a + singer, she shall." He limped to the door in sullen anger, and went + out. Nino turned to the prostrate figure of the poor baroness. The + continued strain on her nerves had broken her down, and she lay on the + floor in a dead faint. Nino put a cushion from the lounge under her + head, and rang the bell. The servant appeared instantly. +</p> +<p> + "Bring water quickly!" he cried. "The signora has fainted." He stood + looking at the senseless figure of the woman, as she lay across the + rich Persian rugs that covered the floor. +</p> +<p> + "Why did you not bring salts, cologne, her maid—run, I tell you!" he + said to the man, who brought the glass of water on a gilded tray. He + had forgotten that the fellow could not be expected to have any sense. + When her people came at last, he had sprinkled her face, and she had + unconsciously swallowed enough of the water to have some effect in + reviving her. She began to open her eyes, and her fingers moved + nervously. Nino found his hat, and, casting one glance around the room + that had just witnessed such strange doings, passed through the door + and went out. The baroness was left with her servants. Poor woman! She + did very wrong, perhaps, but anybody would have loved her—except + Nino. She must have been terribly shaken, one would have thought, and + she ought to have gone to lie down, and should have sent for the + doctor to bleed her. But she did nothing of the kind. +</p> +<p> + She came to see me. I was alone in the house, late in the afternoon, + when the sun was just gilding the tops of the houses. I heard the + door-bell ring, and I went to answer it myself. There stood the + beautiful baroness, alone, with all her dark soft things around her, + as pale as death, and her eyes swollen sadly with weeping. Nino had + come home and told me something about the scene in the morning, and I + can tell you I gave him a piece of my mind about his follies. +</p> +<p> + "Does Professor Cornelio Grandi live here?" she asked, in a low, sad + voice. +</p> +<p> + "I am he, signora," I answered. "Will you please to come in?" And so + she came into our little sitting-room, and sat over there in the old + green arm-chair. I shall never forget it as long as I live. +</p> +<p> + I cannot tell you all she said in that brief half-hour, for it pains + me to think of it. She spoke as though I were her confessor, so humbly + and quietly,—as though it had all happened ten years ago. There is + no stubbornness in those tiger women when once they break down. +</p> +<p> + She said she was going away; that she had done my boy a great wrong, + and wished to make such reparation as she could, by telling me, at + least, the truth. She did not scruple to say that she had loved him, + nor that she had done everything in her power to keep him; though he + had never so much as looked at her, she added, pathetically. She + wished to have me know exactly how it happened, no matter what I might + think of her. +</p> +<p> + "You are a nobleman, count," she said to me at last, "and I can trust + you as one of my own people, I am sure. Yes, I know: you have been + unfortunate, and are now a professor. But that does not change the + blood. I can trust you. You need not tell him I came, unless you wish + it. I shall never see him again. I am glad to have been here, to see + where he lives." She rose, and moved to go. I confess that the tears + were in my eyes. There was a pile of music on the old piano. There was + a loose leaf on the top, with his name written on it. She took it in + her hand, and looked inquiringly at me out of her sad eyes. I knew she + wanted to take it, and I nodded. +</p> +<p> + "I shall never see him again, you know." Her voice was gentle and + weak, and she hastened to the door; so that almost before I knew it + she was gone. The sun had left the red-tiled roofs opposite, and the + goldfinch was silent in his cage. So I sat down in the chair where she + had rested, and folded my hands, and thought, as I am always thinking + ever since, how I could have loved such a woman as that; so + passionate, so beautiful, so piteously sorry for what she had done + that was wrong. Ah me! for the years that are gone away so cruelly, + for the days so desperately dead! Give me but one of those golden + days, and I would make the pomp of emperors ridiculous. +</p> +<p> + A greater man than I said that,—a man over the seas, with a great + soul, who wrote in a foreign tongue, but spoke a language germane to + all human speech. But even he cannot bring back one of those dear + days. I would give much to have that one day back, when she came and + told me all her woes. But that is impossible. +</p> +<p> + When they came to wake her in the morning—the very morning after + that—she was dead in her bed; the colour gone for ever from those + velvet cheeks, the fire quenched out of those passionate eyes, past + power of love or hate to rekindle. <i>Requiescat in pace</i>, and may God + give her eternal rest and forgiveness for all her sins. Poor, + beautiful, erring woman! +</p> +<a name="chapter_9"></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h3> + CHAPTER IX +</h3> +<p> + At nine o'clock on the morning of the baroness' death, as Nino was busy + singing scales, there was a ring at the door, and presently Mariuccia + came running in as fast as her poor old legs could carry her, and + whiter than a pillow-case, to say that there was a man at the door + with two gendarmes, asking for Nino; and before I could question her + the three men walked unbidden into the room, demanding which was + Giovanni Cardegna, the singer. Nino started, and then said quietly + that he was the man. I have had dealings with these people, and I know + what is best to be done. They were inclined to be rough and very + peremptory. I confess I was frightened; but I think I am more cunning + when I am a little afraid. +</p> +<p> + "Mariuccia," I said, as she stood trembling in the door-way, waiting + to see what would happen, "fetch a flask of that old wine, and serve + these gentlemen,—and a few chestnuts, if you have some. Be seated, + signori," I said to them, "and take one of these cigars. My boy is a + singer, and you would not hurt his voice by taking him out so early on + this raw morning. Sit down, Nino, and ask these gentlemen what they + desire." They all sat down, somewhat sullenly, and the gendarmes' + sabres clanked on the brick floor. +</p> +<p> + "What do you wish from me?" asked Nino, who was not much moved after + the first surprise. +</p> +<p> + "We regret to say," answered the man in plain clothes, "that we are + here to arrest you." +</p> +<p> + "May I inquire on what charge?" I asked. "But first let me fill + your glasses. Dry throats make surly answers, as the proverb says." + They drank. It chanced that the wine was good, being from my own + vineyard,—my little vineyard that I bought outside of Porta + Salara,—and the men were cold and wet, for it was raining. +</p> +<p> + "Well," said the man who had spoken before,—he was clean-shaved and + fat, and he smacked his lips over the wine,—"It is not our way to + answer questions. But since you are so civil, I will tell you that you + are arrested on suspicion of having poisoned that Russian baroness, + with the long name, at whose house you have been so intimate." +</p> +<p> + "Poisoned? The baroness poisoned? Is she very ill, then?" asked Nino, + in great alarm. +</p> +<p> + "She is dead," said the fat mat, wiping his mouth and twisting the + empty glass in his hand. +</p> +<p> + "Dead!" cried Nino and I together. +</p> +<p> + "Dead—yes; as dead as St. Peter," he answered, irreverently. "Your + wine is good, Signor Professore. Yes, I will take another glass—and + my men, too. Yes, she was found dead this morning, lying in her bed. + You were there yesterday, Signor Cardegna, and her servant says he saw + you giving her something in a glass of water." He drank a long draught + from his glass. "You would have done better to give her some of this + wine, my friend. She would certainly be alive to-day." But Nino was + dark and thoughtful. He must have been pained and terribly shocked at + the sudden news, of course, but he did not admire her as I did. +</p> +<p> + "Of course this thing will soon be over," he said at last. "I am very + much grieved to hear of the lady's death, but it is absurd to suppose + that I was concerned in it, however it happened. She fainted suddenly + in the morning when I was there, and I gave her some water to drink, + but there was nothing in it." He clasped his hands on his knee, and + looked much distressed. +</p> +<p> + "It is quite possible that you poisoned her," remarked the fat man, + with annoying indifference. "The servant says he overheard high words + between you—" +</p> +<p> + "He overheard?" cried Nino, springing to his feet. "Cursed beast, to + listen at the door!" He began to walk about excitedly, "How long is + this affair to keep me?" he asked, suddenly; "I have to sing + to-night—and that poor lady lying there dead—oh, I cannot!" +</p> +<p> + "Perhaps you will not be detained more than a couple of hours," said + the fat man. "And perhaps you will be detained until the Day of + Judgment," he added, with a sly wink at the gendarmes, who laughed + obsequiously. "By this afternoon, the doctors will know of what she + died; and if there was no poison, and she died a natural death, you + can go to the theatre and sing, if you have the stomach. I would, I am + sure. You see, she is a great lady, and the people of her embassy are + causing everything to be done very quickly. If you had poisoned that + old lady who brought us this famous wine a minute ago, you might have + had to wait till next year, innocent or guilty." It struck me that the + wine was producing its effect. +</p> +<p> + "Very well," said Nino, resolutely; "let us go. You will see that I am + perfectly ready, although the news has shaken me much; and so you will + permit me to walk quietly with you, without attracting any attention?" +</p> +<p> + "Oh, we would not think of incommoding you," said the fat man. "The + orders were expressly to give you every convenience, and we have + a private carriage below. Signor Grandi, we thank you for your + civility. Good-morning—a thousand excuses." He bowed, and the + gendarmes rose to their feet, refreshed and ruddy with the good wine. + Of course I knew I could not accompany them, and I was too much + frightened to have been of any use. Poor Mariuccia was crying in the + kitchen. +</p> +<p> + "Send word to Jacovacci, the manager, if you do not hear by twelve + o'clock," Nino called back from the landing, and the door closed + behind them all. I was left alone, sad and frightened, and I felt very + old—much older than I am. +</p> +<p> + It was tragic. Mechanically I sank into the old green arm-chair, where + she had sat but yesterday evening—she whom I had seen but twice, once + in the theatre and once here, but of whom I had heard so much. And she + was dead, so soon. If Nino could only have heard her last words and + seen her last look he would have been more hurt when he heard of her + sudden death. But he is of stone, that man, save for his love and his + art. He seems to have no room left for sympathy with human ills, nor + even for fear on his own account. Fear!—how I hate the word! Nino + did not seem frightened at all when they took him away. But as for + me—well, it was not for myself this time, at least. That is some + comfort. I think one may be afraid for other people. +</p> +<p> + Mariuccia was so much disturbed that I was obliged to go myself to + get De Pretis, who gave up all his lessons that day and came to give + me his advice. He looked grave and spoke very little, but he is a + broad-shouldered, genial man, and very comforting. He insisted on + going himself at once to see Nino, to give him all the help he could. + He would not hear of my going, for he said I ought to be bled and have + some tea of mallows to calm me. And when I offered him a cigar from + the box of good ones Nino had given me he took six or seven, and put + them in his pocket without saying a word. But I did not grudge them to + him; for though he is very ridiculous, with his skull-cap and his + snuff-box, he is a leal man, as we say, who stands by his friends and + snaps his fingers at the devil. +</p> +<p> + I cannot describe to you the anxiety I felt through all that day. I + could not eat, nor drink, nor write. I could not smoke, and when I + tried to go to sleep that cat—an apoplexy on her!—climbed up on my + shoulder and clawed my hair, Mariuccia sat moaning in the kitchen and + could not cook at all, so that I was half starved. +</p> +<p> + At three o'clock De Pretis came back. +</p> +<p> + "Courage, conte mio!" he cried; and I knew it was all right. "Courage! + Nino is at liberty again, and says he will sing to-night to show them + he is not a clay doll, to be broken by a little knocking about. Ah, + what a glorious boy Nino is!" +</p> +<p> + "But where is he!" I asked, when I could find voice to speak, for I + was all trembling. +</p> +<p> + "He is gone for a good walk, to freshen his nerves, poverino. I wonder + he has any strength left. For Heaven's sake, give me a match that I + may light my cigar, and then I will tell you all about it. Thank you. + And I will sit down comfortably—so. Now you must know that the + baroness—<i>requiescat</i>!—was not poisoned by Nino, or by anyone else." +</p> +<p> + "Of course not! Go on." +</p> +<p> + "Piano—slow and sure. They had a terrific scene yesterday. You know? + Yes. Then she went out and tired herself, poor soul, so that when she + got home she had an attack of the nerves. Now these foreigners, who + are a pack of silly people, do not have themselves bled and drink + malva water as we do when we get a fit of anger. But they take opium; + that is, a thing they call chloral. God knows what it is made of, but + it puts them to sleep, like opium. When the doctors came to look at + the poor lady they saw at once what was the matter, and called the + maid. The maid said her mistress certainly had some green stuff in a + little bottle which she often used to take; and when they inquired + further they heard that the baroness had poured out much more than + usual the night before, while the maid was combing her hair, for she + seemed terribly excited and restless. So they got the bottle and found + it nearly empty. Then the doctors said, 'At what time was this young + man who is now arrested seen to give her the glass of water?' The + man-servant said it was about two in the afternoon. So the doctors + knew that if Nino had given her the chloral she could not have gone + out afterwards, and have been awake at eleven in the evening when her + maid was with her, and yet have been hurt by what he gave her. And so, + as Jacovacci was raising a thousand devils in every corner of Rome + because they had arrested his principal singer on false pretences, and + was threatening to bring suits against everybody, including the + Russian embassy, the doctors, and the Government, if Nino did not + appear in <i>Faust</i> to-night, according to his agreement, the result was + that, half an hour ago, Nino was conducted out of the police precincts + with ten thousand apologies, and put into the arms of Jacovacci, who + wept for joy, and carried him off to a late breakfast at Morteo's. And + then I came here. But I made Nino promise to take a good walk for his + digestion, since the weather has changed. For a breakfast at three in + the afternoon may be called late, even in Rome. And that reminds me to + ask you for a drop of wine; for I am still fasting, and this talking + is worse for the throat than a dozen high masses." +</p> +<p> + Mariuccia had been listening at the door, as usual, and she + immediately began crying for joy; for she is a weak-minded old thing, + and dotes on Nino. I was very glad myself, I can tell you; but I + could not understand how Nino could have the heart to sing, or should + lack heart so much as to be fit for it. Before the evening he came + home, silent and thoughtful. I asked him whether he were not glad to + be free so easily. +</p> +<p> + "That is not a very intelligent question for a philosopher like you to + ask," he answered. "Of course I am glad of my liberty; any man would + be. But I feel that I am as much the cause of that poor lady's death + as though I had killed her with my own hands. I shall never forgive + myself." +</p> +<p> + "Diana!" I cried, "it is a horrible tragedy; but it seems to me that + you could not help it if she chose to love you." +</p> +<p> + "Hush!" said he, so sternly that he frightened me. "She is dead. God + give her soul rest. Let us not talk of what she did." +</p> +<p> + "But," I objected, "if you feel so strongly about it, how can you sing + at the opera to-night?" +</p> +<p> + "There are plenty of reasons why I should sing. In the first place, I + owe it to my engagement with Jacovacci. He has taken endless trouble + to have me cleared at once, and I will not disappoint him. Besides, I + have not lost my voice, and might be half ruined by breaking contract + so early. Then, the afternoon papers are full of the whole affair, + some right and some wrong, and I am bound to show the Contessina di + Lira that this unfortunate accident does not touch my heart, however + sorry I may be. If I did not appear all Rome would say it was because + I was heart-broken. If she does not go to the theatre, she will at + least hear of it. Therefore I will sing." It was very reasonable of + him to think so. +</p> +<p> + "Have any of the papers got hold of the story of your giving lessons?" +</p> +<p> + "No, I think not; and there is no mention of the Lira family." +</p> +<p> + "So much the better." +</p> +<p> + Hedwig did not go to the opera. Of course she was quite right. However + she might feel about the baroness, it would have been in the worst + possible taste to go to the opera the very day after her death. That + is the way society puts it. It is bad taste; they never say it is + heartless, or unkind, or brutal. It is simply bad taste. Nino sang, on + the whole, better than if she had been there, for he put his whole + soul in his art and won fresh laurels. When it was over he was + besieged by the agent of the London manager to come to some agreement. +</p> +<p> + "I cannot tell yet," he said. "I will tell you soon." He was not + willing to leave Rome—that was the truth of the matter. He thought of + nothing, day or night, but of how he might see Hedwig, and his heart + writhed in his breast when it seemed more and more impossible. He + dared not risk compromising her by another serenade, as he felt sure + that it had been some servant of the count who had betrayed him to the + baroness. At last he hit upon a plan. The funeral of the baroness was + to take place on the afternoon of the next day. He felt sure that the + Graf von Lira would go to it, and he was equally certain that Hedwig + would not. It chanced to be the hour at which De Pretis went to the + Palazzo to give her the singing lesson. +</p> +<p> + "I suppose it is a barbarous thing for me to do," he said to himself, + "but I cannot help it. Love first, and tragedy afterwards." +</p> +<p> + In the afternoon, therefore, he sallied out, and went boldly to the + Palazzo Carmandola. He inquired of the porter whether the Signor Conte + had gone out, and just as he had expected, so he found it. Old Lira + had left the house ten minutes earlier, to go to the funeral. Nino + ran up the stairs and rang the bell. The footman opened the door, and + Nino quickly slipped a five-franc note into his hand, which he had no + difficulty in finding. On asking if the signorina were at home, the + footman nodded, and added that Professor De Pretis was with her, but + she would doubtless see Professor Cardegna as well. And so it turned + out. He was ushered into the great drawing-room, where the piano was. + Hedwig came forward a few steps from where she had been standing + beside De Pretis, and Nino bowed low before her. She had on a long + dark dress, and no ornament whatever, save her beautiful bright hair, + so that her face was like a jewel set in gold and velvet. But, when I + think of it, such a combination would seem absurdly vulgar by the side + of Hedwig von Lira. She was so pale and exquisite and sad that Nino + could hardly look at her. He remembered that there were violets, + rarest of flowers in Rome in January, in her belt. +</p> +<p> + To tell the truth, Nino had expected to find her stern and cold, + whereas she was only very quiet and sorrowful. +</p> +<p> + "Will you forgive me, signorina, for this rashness?" he asked, in a + low voice. +</p> +<p> + "In that I receive you I forgive you, sir," she said. He glanced + toward De Pretis, who seemed absorbed in some music at the piano and + was playing over bits of an accompaniment. She understood, and moved + slowly to a window at the other end of the great room, standing among + the curtains. He placed himself in the embrasure. She looked at him + long and earnestly, as if finally reconciling the singer with the man + she had known so long. She found him changed, as I had, in a short + time. His face was sterner and thinner and whiter than before, and + there were traces of thought in the deep shadows beneath his eyes. + Quietly observing him, she saw how perfectly simple and exquisitely + careful was his dress, and how his hands bespoke that attention which + only a gentleman gives to the details of his person. She saw that, if + he were not handsome, he was in the last degree striking to the eye, + in spite of all his simplicity, and that he would not lose by being + contrasted with all the dandies and courtiers in Rome. As she looked, + she saw his lip quiver slightly, the only sign of emotion he ever + gives, unless he loses his head altogether, and storms, as he + sometimes does. +</p> +<p> + "Signorina," he began, "I have come to tell you a story; will you + listen to it?" +</p> +<p> + "Tell it me," said she, still looking in his face. +</p> +<p> + "There was once a solitary castle in the mountains, with battlement + and moat both high and broad. Far up in a lonely turret dwelt a rare + maiden, of such surpassing beauty and fairness that the peasants + thought she was not mortal, but an angel from heaven, resting in that + tower from the doing of good deeds. She had flowers up there in her + chamber, and the seeds of flowers; and as the seasons passed by, she + took from her store the dry germs, and planted them one after another + in a little earth on the window-sill. And the sun shone on them and + they grew, and she breathed upon them and they were sweet. But they + withered and bore no offspring, and fell away, so that year by year + her store became diminished. At last there was but one little paper + bag of seed left, and upon the cover was written in a strange + character, 'This is the Seed of the Thorn of the World.' But the + beautiful maiden was sad when she saw this, for she said 'All my + flowers have been sweet, and now I have but this thing left, which is + a thorn!' And she opened the paper and looked inside, and saw one poor + little seed all black and shrivelled. Through that day she pondered + what to do with it, and was very unhappy. At night she said to + herself, 'I will not plant this one; I will throw it away rather than + plant it.' And she went to the window, and tore the paper, and threw + out the little seed into the darkness." +</p> +<p> + "Poor little thing!" said Hedwig. She was listening intently. +</p> +<p> + "She threw it out, and as it fell, all the air was full of music, sad + and sweet, so that she wondered greatly. The next day she looked out + of the window, and saw, between the moat and the castle wall, a new + plant growing. It looked black and uninviting, but it had come up so + fast that it had already laid hold on the rough gray stones. At the + falling of the night it reached far up towards the turret, a great + sharp-pointed vine, with only here and there a miserable leaf on it. + 'I am sorry I threw it out,' said the maiden. 'It is the Thorn of the + World, and the people who pass will think it defaces my castle.' But + when it was dark again the air was full of music. The maiden went to + the window, for she could not sleep, and she called out, asking who + it was that sang. Then a sweet, low voice came up to her from the + moat. 'I am the Thorn,' it said, 'I sing in the dark, for I am + growing.'—'Sing on, Thorn,' said she, 'and grow if you will.' But in + the morning when she awoke, her window was darkened, for the Thorn had + grown to be a mighty tree, and its topmost shoots were black against + the sky. She wondered whether this uncouth plant would bear anything + but music. So she spoke to it. +</p> +<p> + "'Thorn,' she said, 'why have you no flowers?' +</p> +<p> + "'I am the Thorn of the World,' it answered, 'and I can bear no + flowers until the hand that planted me has tended me, and pruned me, + and shaped me to be its own. If you had planted me like the rest, it + would have been easy for you. But you planted me unwillingly, down + below you by the moat, and I have had far to climb.' +</p> +<p> + "'But my hands are so delicate,' said the maiden. 'You will hurt me, + I am sure.' +</p> +<p> + "'Yours is the only hand in the world that I will not hurt,' said the + voice, so tenderly and softly and sadly that the gentle fingers went + out to touch the plant and see if it were real. And touching it they + clung there, for they had no harm of it. Would you know, my lady, what + happened then?" +</p> +<p> + "Yes, yes—tell me!" cried Hedwig, whose imagination was fascinated by + the tale. +</p> +<p> + "As her hands rested on the spiked branches, a gentle trembling went + through the Thorn, and in a moment there burst out such a blooming and + blossoming as the maiden had never seen. Every prick became a rose, + and they were so many that the light of the day was tinged with them, + and their sweetness was like the breath of paradise. But below her + window the Thorn was as black and forbidding as ever, for only the + maiden's presence could make its flowers bloom. But she smelled the + flowers, and pressed many of them to her cheek. +</p> +<p> + "'I thought you were only a Thorn,' she said, softly. +</p> +<p> + "'Nay, fairest maiden,' answered the glorious voice of the bursting + blossom, 'I am the Rose of the World for ever, since you have touched + me.' +</p> +<p> + "That is my story, signorina. Have I wearied you?" +</p> +<p> + Hedwig had unconsciously moved nearer to him as he was speaking, for + he never raised his voice, and she hung on his words. There was colour + in her face, and her breath came quickly through her parted lips. She + had never looked so beautiful. +</p> +<p> + "Wearied me, signore? Ah no; it is a gentle tale of yours." +</p> +<p> + "It is a true tale—in part," said he. +</p> +<p> + "In part? I do not understand—" But the colour was warmer in her + cheek, and she turned her face half away, as though looking out. +</p> +<p> + "I will tell you," he replied, coming closer, on the side from which + she turned. "Here is the window. You are the maiden. The thorn—it is + my love for you"; he dropped his voice to a whisper "You planted it + carelessly, far below you in the dark. In the dark it has grown and + sung to you, and grown again, until now it stands in your own castle + window. Will you not touch it and make its flowers bloom for you?" He + spoke fervently. She had turned her face quite from him now, and was + resting her forehead against one hand that leaned upon the heavy frame + of the casement. The other hand hung down by her side toward him, fair + as a lily against her dark gown. Nino touched it, then took it. He + could see the blush spread to her white throat, and fade again. + Between the half-falling curtain and the great window he bent his knee + and pressed her fingers to his lips. She made as though she would + withdraw her hand, and then left it in his. Her glance stole to him as + he kneeled there, and he felt it on him, so that he looked up. She + seemed to raise him with her fingers, and her eyes held his and drew + them; he stood up, and, still holding her hand, his face was near to + hers. Closer and closer yet, as by a spell, each gazing searchingly + into the other's glance, till their eyes could see no more for + closeness, and their lips met in life's first virgin kiss,—in the + glory and strength of a two-fold purity, each to each. +</p> +<p> + Far off at the other end of the room De Pretis struck a chord on the + piano. They started at the sound. +</p> +<p> + "When?" whispered Nino, hurriedly. +</p> +<p> + "At midnight, under my window," she answered, quickly, not thinking of + anything better in her haste. "I will tell you then. You must go; my + father will soon be here. No, not again," she protested. But he drew + her to him, and said good-bye in his own manner. She lingered an + instant, and tore herself away. De Pretis was playing loudly. Nino had + to pass near him to go out, and the maestro nodded carelessly as he + went by. +</p> +<p> + "Excuse me, maestro," said Hedwig, as Nino bowed himself out; "it was + a question of arranging certain lessons." +</p> +<p> + "Do not mention it," said he, indifferently; "my time is yours, + signorina. Shall we go through with this solfeggio once more?" +</p> +<p> + The good maestro did not seem greatly disturbed by the interruption. + Hedwig wondered, dreamily, whether he had understood. It all seemed + like a dream. The notes were upside down in her sight, and her voice + sought strange minor keys unconsciously, as she vainly tried to + concentrate her attention upon what she was doing. +</p> +<p> + "Signorina," said Ercole at last, "what you sing is very pretty, but + it is not exactly what is written here. I fear you are tired." +</p> +<p> + "Perhaps so," said she. "Let us not sing any more to-day." Ercole shut + up the music and rose. She gave him her hand, a thing she had never + done before; and it was unconscious now, as everything she did seemed + to be. There is a point when dreaming gets the mastery and appears + infinitely more real than the things we touch. +</p> +<p> + Nino, meanwhile, had descended the steps, expecting every moment to + meet the count. As he went down the street a closed carriage drove by + with the Lira liveries. The old count was in it, but Nino stepped into + the shadow of a doorway to let the equipage pass, and was not seen. + The wooden face of the old nobleman almost betrayed something akin to + emotion. He was returning from the funeral, and it had pained him; + for he had liked the wild baroness in a fatherly, reproving way. But + the sight of him sent a home thrust to Nino's heart. +</p> +<p> + "Her death is on my soul for ever," he muttered between his set teeth. + Poor innocent boy, it was not his fault if she had loved him so much. + Women have done things for great singers that they have not done for + martyrs or heroes. It seems so certain that the voice that sings so + tenderly is speaking to them individually. Music is such a fleeting, + passionate thing that a woman takes it all to herself; how could he + sing like that for anyone else? And yet there is always someone for + whom he does really pour out his heart, and all the rest are the dolls + of life, to be looked at and admired for their dress and complexion, + and to laugh at when the fancy takes him to laugh; but not to love. +</p> +<p> + At midnight Nino was at his post, but he waited long and patiently for + a sign. It was past two, and he was thinking it hopeless to wait + longer, when his quick ear caught the sound of a window moving on its + hinges, and a moment later something fell at his feet with a sharp, + metallic click. The night was dark and cloudy, so that the waning moon + gave little light. He picked up the thing and found a small pocket + handkerchief wrapped about a minute pair of scissors, apparently to + give it weight. He expected a letter, and groped on the damp pavement + with his hands. Then he struck a match, shaded it from the breeze with + his hand, and saw that the handkerchief was stained with ink, and that + the stains were letters, roughly printed to make them distinct. He + hurried away to the light of a street lamp to read the strange + missive. +</p> +<a name="chapter_10"></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h3> + CHAPTER X +</h3> +<p> + He went to the light and spread out the handkerchief. It was a small + thing, of almost transparent stuff, with a plain "H.L." and a crown in + the corner. The steel pen had torn the delicate fibres here and there. +</p> +<p> + "They know you have been here. I am watched. Keep away from the house + till you hear." +</p> +<p> + That was all the message, but it told worlds. He knew from it that the + count was informed of his visit, and he tortured himself by trying to + imagine what the angry old man would do. His heart sank like a stone + in his breast when he thought of Hedwig, so imprisoned, guarded, made + a martyr of, for his folly. He groaned aloud when he understood that + it was in the power of her father to take her away suddenly and leave + no trace of their destination, and he cursed his haste and impetuosity + in having shown himself inside the house. But with all this weight of + trouble upon him, he felt the strength and indomitable determination + within him which come only to a man who loves, when he knows he is + loved again. He kissed the little handkerchief, and even the scissors + she had used to weight it with, and he put them in his breast. But he + stood irresolute, leaning against the lamppost, as a man will who is + trying to force his thoughts to overtake events, trying to shape out + of the present. Suddenly he was aware of a tall figure in a fur coat + standing near him on the sidewalk. He would have turned to go, but + something about the stranger's appearance struck him so oddly that he + stayed where he was and watched him. +</p> +<p> + The tall man searched for something in his pockets, and finally + produced a cigarette, which he leisurely lighted with a wax match. As + he did so his eyes fell upon Nino. The stranger was tall and very + thin. He wore a pointed beard and a heavy moustache, which seemed + almost dazzlingly white, as were the few locks that appeared, neatly + brushed over his temples, beneath his opera hat. His sanguine + complexion, however, had all the freshness of youth, and his eyes + sparkled merrily, as though amused at the spectacle of his nose, which + was immense, curved, and polished, like an eagle's beak. He wore + perfectly-fitting kid gloves, and the collar of his fur wrapper, + falling a little open, showed that he was in evening dress. +</p> +<p> + It was so late—past two o'clock—that Nino had not expected anything + more than a policeman or some homeless wanderer, when he raised his + eyes to look on the stranger. He was fascinated by the strange + presence of the aged dandy, for such he seemed to be, and returned his + gaze boldly. He was still more astonished, however, when the old + gentleman came close to him, and raised his hat, displaying, as he did + so, a very high and narrow forehead, crowned with a mass of smooth + white hair. There was both grace and authority in the courteous + gesture, and Nino thought the old gentleman moved with an ease that + matched his youthful complexion rather than his hoary locks. +</p> +<p> + "Signor Cardegna, the distinguished artist, if I mistake not?" said + the stranger, with a peculiar foreign accent, the like of which Nino + had never heard. He also raised his hat, extremely surprised that a + chance passer-by should know him. He had not yet learned what it is to + be famous. But he was far from pleased at being addressed in his + present mood. +</p> +<p> + "The same, signore," he replied coldly. "How can I serve you?" +</p> +<p> + "You can serve the world you so well adorn better than by exposing + your noble voice to the midnight damps and chills of this infernal—I + would say, eternal—city," answered the other. "Forgive me. I am, not + unnaturally, concerned at the prospect of loosing even a small portion + of the pleasure you know how to give to me and to many others." +</p> +<p> + "I thank you for your flattery," said Nino, drawing his cloak about + him, "but it appears to me that my throat is my own, and whatever + voice there may be in it. Are you a physician, signore? And pray why + do you tell me that Rome is an infernal city?" +</p> +<p> + "I have had some experience of Rome, Signor Cardegna," returned the + foreigner, with a peculiar smile, "and I hate no place so bitterly in + all this world—save one. And as for my being a physician, I am an old + man, a very singularly old man in fact, and I know something of the + art of healing." +</p> +<p> + "When I need healing, as you call it," said Nino, rather scornfully, + "I will inquire for you. Do you desire to continue this interview amid + the 'damps and chills of our 'infernal city'? If not, I will wish you + good-evening." +</p> +<p> + "By no means," said the other, not in the least repulsed by Nino's + coldness. "I will accommpany you a little way, if you will allow me." + Nino stared hard at the stranger, wondering what could induce him to + take so much interest in a singer. Then he nodded gravely and turned + toward his home, inwardly hoping that his aggressive acquaintance + lived in the opposite direction. But he was mistaken. The tall man + blew a quantity of smoke through his nose and walked by his side. He + strode over the pavement with a long, elastic step. +</p> +<p> + "I live not far from here," he said, when they had gone a few steps, + "and if the Signor Cardegna will accept of a glass of old wine and a + good cigar I shall feel highly honoured." Somehow an invitation of + this kind was the last thing Nino had expected or desired, least of + all from a talkative stranger who seemed determined to make his + acquaintance. +</p> +<p> + "I thank you, signore," he answered, "but I have supped, and I do not + smoke." +</p> +<p> + "Ah—I forgot. You are a singer, and must of course be careful. That + is perhaps the reason why you wander about the streets when the nights + are dark and damp. But I can offer you something more attractive than + liquor and tobacco. A great violinist lives with me,—a queer, + nocturnal bird,—and if you will come he will be enchanted to play for + you. I assure you he is a very-good musician, the like of which you + will hardly hear nowadays. He does not play in public any longer, from + some odd fancy of his." +</p> +<p> + Nino hesitated. Of all instruments he loved the violin best, and in + Rome he had had but little opportunity of hearing it well played. + Concerts were the rarest of luxuries to him, and violinists in Rome + are rarer still. +</p> +<p> + "What is his name, signore?" he asked, unbending a little. +</p> +<p> + "You must guess that when you hear him," said the old gentleman, + with a short laugh. "But I give you my word of honour he is a + great musician. Will you come, or must I offer you still further + attractions?" +</p> +<p> + "What might they be?" asked Nino. +</p> +<p> + "Nay; will you come for what I offer you? If the music is not good, + you may go away again." Still Nino hesitated. Sorrowful and fearful of + the future as he was, his love gnawing cruelly at his heart, he would + have given the whole world for a strain of rare music if only he were + not forced to make it himself. Then it struck him that this might be + some pitfall. I would not have gone. +</p> +<p> + "Sir," he said at last, "if you meditate any foul play, I would advise + you to retract your invitation. I will come, and I am well armed." He + had my long knife about him somewhere. It is one of my precautions. + But the stranger laughed long and loud at the suggestion, so that his + voice woke queer echoes in the silent street. Nino did not understand + why he should laugh so much, but he found his knife under his cloak, + and made sure it was loose in its leathern sheath. Presently the + stranger stopped before the large door of an old palazzo,—every house + is a palazzo that has an entrance for carriages, and let himself in + with a key. There was a lantern on the stone pavement inside, and + seeing a light, Nino followed him boldly. The old gentleman took the + lantern and led the way up the stairs, apologising for the distance + and the darkness. At last they stopped, and, entering another door, + found themselves in the stranger's apartment. +</p> +<p> + "A cardinal lives downstairs," said he, as he turned up the light of a + couple of large lamps that burned dimly in the room they had reached. + "The secretary of a very holy order has his office on the other side + of my landing, and altogether this is a very religious atmosphere. + Pray take off your cloak; the room is warm." +</p> +<p> + Nino looked about him. He had expected to be ushered into some + princely dwelling, for he had judged his interlocutor to be some rich + and eccentric noble, unless he were an erratic scamp. He was somewhat + taken aback by the spectacle that met his eyes. The furniture was + scant, and all in the style of the last century. The dust lay half an + inch thick on the old gilded ornaments and chandeliers. A great + pier-glass was cracked from corner to corner, and the metallic backing + seemed to be scaling off behind. There were two or three open valises + on the marble floor, which latter, however, seemed to have been lately + swept. A square table was in the centre, also free from dust, and a + few high-backed leathern chairs, studded with brass nails, were ranged + about it. On the table stood one of the lamps, and the other was + placed on a marble column in a corner, that once must have supported a + bust, or something of the kind. Old curtains, moth-eaten and ragged + with age, but of a rich material, covered the windows. Nino glanced at + the open trunks on the floor, and saw that they contained a quantity + of wearing apparel and the like. He guessed that his acquaintance had + lately arrived. +</p> +<p> + "I do not often inhabit this den," said the old gentleman, who had + divested himself of his furs, and now showed his thin figure arrayed + in the extreme of full dress. A couple of decorations hung at his + button-hole. "I seldom come here, and on my return, the other day, I + found that the man I had left in charge was dead, with, all his + family, and the place has gone to ruin. That is always my luck," he + added, with a little laugh. +</p> +<p> + "I should think he must have been dead some time," said Nino, looking + about him. "There is a great deal of dust here." +</p> +<p> + "Yes, as you say, it is some years," returned his acquaintance, still + laughing. He seemed a merry old soul, fifty years younger than his + looks. He produced from a case a bottle of wine and two silver cups, + and placed them on the table. +</p> +<p> + "But where is your friend, the violinist?" inquired Nino, who was + beginning to be impatient; for except that the place was dusty and + old, there was nothing about it sufficiently interesting to take his + thoughts from the subject nearest his heart. +</p> +<p> + "I will introduce him to you," said the other, going to one of the + valises and taking out a violin case, which he laid on the table and + proceeded to open. The instrument was apparently of great age, small + and well shaped. The stranger took it up and began to tune it. +</p> +<p> + "Do you mean to say that you are yourself the violinist?" he asked, in + astonishment. But the stranger vouchsafed no answer, as he steadied + the fiddle with his bearded chin and turned the pegs with his left + hand, adjusting the strings. +</p> +<p> + Then, suddenly and without any preluding, he began to make music, and + from the first note Nino sat enthralled and fascinated, losing himself + in the wild sport of the tones. The old man's face became ashy white + as he played, and his white hair appeared to stand away from his head. + The long, thin fingers of his left hand chased each other in pairs + and singly along the delicate strings, while the bow glanced in + the lamplight as it dashed like lightning across the instrument, or + remained almost stationary, quivering in his magic hold as quickly as + the wings of the humming-bird strike the summer air. Sometimes he + seemed to be tearing the heart from the old violin; sometimes it + seemed to murmur soft things in his old ear, as though the imprisoned + spirit of the music were pleading to be free on the wings of sound: + sweet as love that is strong as death; feverish and murderous as + jealousy that is as cruel as the grave; sobbing great sobs of a + terrible death-song, and screaming in the outrageous frenzy of a + furious foe; wailing thin cries of misery, too exhausted for strong + grief; dancing again in horrid madness, as the devils dance over some + fresh sinner they have gotten themselves for torture; and then at + last, as the strings bent to the commanding bow, finding the triumph + of a glorious rest in great, broad chords, splendid in depth and royal + harmony, grand, enormous, and massive as the united choirs of heaven. +</p> +<p> + Nino was beside himself, leaning far over the table, straining eyes + and ears to understand the wonderful music that made him drunk + with its strength. As the tones ceased he sank back in his chair, + exhausted by the tremendous effort of his senses. Instantly the old + man recovered his former appearance. With his hand he smoothed his + thick white hair; the fresh colour came back to his cheeks; and + as he tenderly laid his violin on the table, he was again the + exquisitely-dressed and courtly gentleman who had spoken to Nino in + the street. The musician disappeared, and the man of the world + returned. He poured wine into the plain silver cups, and invited Nino + to drink; but the boy pushed the goblet away, and his strange host + drank alone. +</p> +<p> + "You asked me for the musician's name," he said, with a merry twinkle + in his eye, from which every trace of artistic inspiration had faded; + "can you guess it now?" Nino seemed tongue-tied still, but he made an + effort. +</p> +<p> + "I have heard of Paganini," he said, "but he died years ago." +</p> +<p> + "Yes, he is dead, poor fellow! I am not Paganini." +</p> +<p> + "I am at a loss, then," said Nino, dreamily, "I do not know the names + of many violinists, but you must be so famous that I ought to know + yours." +</p> +<p> + "No; how should you? I will tell you. I am Benoni, the Jew." The tall + man's eyes twinkled more brightly than ever. Nino stared at him, and + saw that he was certainly of a pronounced Jewish type. His brown eyes + were long and oriental in shape, and his nose was unmistakably + Semitic. +</p> +<p> + "I am sorry to seem so ignorant," said Nino, blushing, "but I do not + know the name. I perceive, however, that you are indeed a very great + musician,—the greatest I ever heard." The compliment was perfectly + sincere, and Benoni's face beamed with pleasure. He evidently liked + praise. +</p> +<p> + "It is not extraordinary," he said smiling. "In the course of a very + long life it has been my only solace, and if I have some skill it is + the result of constant study. I began life very humbly." +</p> +<p> + "So did I," said Nino, thoughtfully, "and I am not far from the + humbleness yet." +</p> +<p> + "Tell me," said Benoni, with a show of interest, "where you come from, + and why you are a singer." +</p> +<p> + "I was a peasant's child, an orphan, and the good God gave me a voice. + That is all I know about it. A kind-hearted gentleman, who once owned + the estate where I was born, brought me up, and wanted to make a + philosopher of me. But I wanted to sing, and so I did." +</p> +<p> + "Do you always do the things you want to do?" asked the other, "You + look as though you might. You look like Napoleon—that man always + interested me. That is why I asked you to come and see me. I have + heard you sing, and you are a great artist—an additional reason. All + artists should be brothers. Do you not think so?" +</p> +<p> + "Indeed, I know very few good ones," said Nino simply; "and even among + them I would like to choose before claiming relationship—personally. + But Art is a great mother, and we are all her children." +</p> +<p> + "More especially we who began life so poorly, and love Art because she + loves us." Benoni seated himself on the arm of one of the old chairs, + and looked down across the worm-eaten table at the young singer. "We," + he continued, "who have been wretchedly poor know better than others + that Art is real, true, and enduring; medicine in sickness and food in + famine; wings to the feet of youth and a staff for the steps of old + age. Do you think I exaggerate, or do you feel as I do?" He paused for + an answer, and poured more wine into his goblet. +</p> +<p> + "Oh, you know I feel as you do!" cried Nino, with rising enthusiasm. +</p> +<p> + "Very good; you are a genuine artist. What you have not felt yet you + will feel hereafter. You have not suffered yet." +</p> +<p> + "You do not know about me," said Nino in a low voice. "I am suffering + now." +</p> +<p> + Benoni smiled. "Do you call that suffering? Well, it is perhaps very + real to you, though I do not know what it is. But Art will help you + through it all, as it has helped me." +</p> +<p> + "What were you?" asked Nino. "You say you were poor." +</p> +<p> + "Yes. I was a shoemaker, and a poor one at that. I have worn out more + shoes than I ever made. But I was brought up to it for many years." +</p> +<p> + "You did not study music from a child, then?" +</p> +<p> + "No. But I always loved it; and I used to play in the evenings when I + had been cobbling all day long." +</p> +<p> + "And one day you found out you were a great artist and became famous. + I see! What a strange beginning!" cried Nino. +</p> +<p> + "Not exactly that. It took a long time. I was obliged to leave my + home, for other reasons, and then I played from door to door, and from + town to town, for whatever coppers were thrown to me. I had never + heard any good music, and so I played the things that came into my + head. By and bye people would make me stay with them awhile, for my + music sake. But I never stayed long." +</p> +<p> + "Why not?" +</p> +<p> + "I cannot tell you now," said Benoni, looking grave and almost sad: + "it is a very long story. I have travelled a great deal, preferring a + life of adventure. But of late money has grown to be so important a + thing that I have given a series of great concerts, and have become + rich enough to play for my own pleasure. Besides, though I travel so + much, I like society, and I know many people everywhere. To-night, for + instance, though I have been in Rome only a week, I have been to a + dinner party, to the theatre, to a reception, and to a ball. Everybody + invites me as soon as I arrive. I am very popular,—and yet I am a + Jew," he added, laughing in an odd way. +</p> +<p> + "But you are a merry Jew," said Nino, laughing too, "besides being a + great genius. I do not wonder people invite you." +</p> +<p> + "It is better to be merry than sad," replied Benoni. "In the course of + a long life I have found out that." +</p> +<p> + "You do not look so very old," said Nino. "How old are you?" +</p> +<p> + "That is a rude question," said his host, laughing. "But I will + improvise a piece of music for you." He took his violin, and stood up + before the broken pier-glass. Then he laid the bow over the strings + and struck a chord. "What is that?" he asked, sustaining the sound. +</p> +<p> + "The common chord of A minor," answered Nino immediately. +</p> +<p> + "You have a good ear," said Benoni, still playing the same notes, so + that the constant monotony of them buzzed like a vexatious insect in + Nino's hearing. Still the old man sawed the bow over the same strings + without change. On and on, the same everlasting chord, till Nino + thought he must go mad. +</p> +<p> + "It is intolerable; for the love of heaven, stop!" he cried, pushing + back his chair and beginning to pace the room. Benoni only smiled, and + went on as unchangingly as ever. Nino could bear it no longer, being + very sensitive about sounds, and he made for the door. +</p> +<p> + "You cannot get out,—I have the key in my pocket," said Benoni, + without stopping. +</p> +<p> + Then Nino became nearly frantic, and made at the Jew to wrest the + instrument from his hands. But Benoni was agile, and eluded him, still + playing vigorously the one chord, till Nino cried aloud, and sank in a + chair, entirely overcome by the torture, that seemed boring its way + into his brain like a corkscrew. +</p> +<p> + "This," said Benoni, the bow still sawing the strings, "is life + without laughter. Now let us laugh a little, and see the effect." +</p> +<p> + It was indeed wonderful. With his instrument he imitated the sound of + a laughing voice, high up above the monotonous chord: softly at first, + as though far in the distance; then louder and nearer, the sustaining + notes of the minor falling away one after the other and losing + themselves, as the merriment gained ground on the sadness; till + finally, with a burst of life and vitality of which it would be + impossible to convey any idea, the whole body of mirth broke into a + wild tarantella movement, so vivid and elastic and noisy that it + seemed to Nino that he saw the very feet of the dancers, and heard the + jolly din of the tambourine and the clattering, clappering click of + the castanets. +</p> +<p> + "That," said Benoni, suddenly stopping, "is life with laughter, be it + ever so sad and monotonous before. Which do you prefer?" +</p> +<p> + "You are the greatest artist in the world!" cried Nino, + enthusiastically; "but I should have been a raving madman if you had + played that chord any longer." +</p> +<p> + "Of course," said Benoni, "and I should have gone mad if I had not + laughed. Poor Schumann, you know, died insane because he fancied he + always heard one note droning in his ears." +</p> +<p> + "I can understand that," said Nino. "But it is late, and I must be + going home. Forgive my rudeness and reluctance to come with you. I was + moody and unhappy. You have given me more pleasure than I can tell + you." +</p> +<p> + "It will seem little enough to-morrow, I dare say," replied Benoni. + "That is the way with pleasures. But you should get them all the same, + when you can, and grasp them as tightly as a drowning man grasps a + straw. Pleasures and money, money and pleasures." +</p> +<p> + Nino did not understand the tone in which his host made this last + remark. He had learned different doctrines from me. +</p> +<p> + "Why do you speak so selfishly, after showing that you can give + pleasure so freely, and telling me that we are all brothers?" he + asked. +</p> +<p> + "If you are not in a hurry, I will explain to you that money is the + only thing in this world worth having," said Benoni, drinking another + cup of the wine, which appeared to have no effect whatever on his + brain. +</p> +<p> + "Well?" said Nino, curious to hear what he had to say. +</p> +<p> + "In the first place, you will allow that from the noblest moral + standpoint a man's highest aim should be to do good to his + fellow-creatures? Yes, you allow that. And to do the greatest possible + good to the greatest possible number? Yes, you allow that also. Then, + I say, other things being alike, a good man will do the greatest + possible amount of good in the world when he has the greatest possible + amount of money. The more money, the more good; the less money, the + less good. Of course money is only the means to the end, but nothing + tangible in the world can ever be anything else. All art is only a + means to the exciting of still more perfect images in the brain; all + crime is a means to the satisfaction of passion, or avarice, which is + itself a king-passion; all good itself is a means to the attainment of + heaven. Everything is bad or good in the world except art, which is a + thing separate, though having good and bad results. But the attainment + of heaven is the best object to keep in view. To that end, do the most + good; and to do it, get the most money. Therefore, as a means, money + is the only thing in the world worth having, since you can most + benefit humanity by it, and consequently be the most sure of going to + heaven when you die. Is that clear?" +</p> +<p> + "Perfectly," said Nino, "provided a man is himself good." +</p> +<p> + "It is very reprehensible to be bad," said Benoni, with a smile. +</p> +<p> + "What a ridiculous truism!" said Nino, laughing outright. +</p> +<p> + "Very likely," said the other. "But I never heard any preacher, in any + country, tell his congregation anything else. And people always listen + with attention. In countries where rain is entirely unknown, it is not + a truism to say that 'when it rains it is damp.' On the contrary, in + such countries that statement would be regarded as requiring + demonstration, and once demonstrated, it would be treasured and taught + as an interesting scientific fact. Now it is precisely the same with + congregations of men. They were never bad, and never can be; in fact, + they doubt, in their dear innocent hearts, whether they know what a + real sin is. Consequently, they listen with interest to the statement + that sin is bad, and promise themselves that if ever that piece of + information should be unexpectedly needed by any of their friends, + they will remember it." +</p> +<p> + "You are a satirist, Signor Benoni," said Nino. +</p> +<p> + "Anything you like," returned the other, "I have been called worse + names than that in my time. So much for heaven and the prospect of it. + But a gentleman has arisen in a foreign country who says that there is + no heaven, anywhere, and that no one does good except in the pursuit + of pleasure here or hereafter. But as his hereafter is nowhere, + disregard it in the argument, and say that man should only do, or + actually does, everything solely for the sake of pleasure here; say + that pleasure is good, so long as it does not interfere with the + pleasures of others, and good is pleasure. Money may help a man to + more of it, but pleasure is the thing. Well, then, my young brother + artist, what did I say?—'money and pleasure, pleasure and money.' The + means are there; and as, of course, you are good, like everybody else, + and desire pleasure, you will get to heaven hereafter, if there is + such a place; and if not, you will get the next thing to it, which is + a paradise on earth." Having reached the climax, Signor Benoni lit a + cigarette, and laughed his own peculiar laugh. +</p> +<p> + Nino shuddered involuntarily at the hideous sophistry. For Nino is a + good boy, and believes very much in heaven, as well as in a couple of + other places. Benoni's quick brown eyes saw the movement, and + understood it, for he laughed longer yet, and louder. +</p> +<p> + "Why do you laugh like that? I see nothing to laugh at. It is very + bitter and bad to hear all this that you say. I would rather hear your + music. You are badly off, whether you believe in heaven or not. For if + you do, you are not likely to get there; and if you do not believe in + it, you are a heretic, and will be burned for ever and ever." +</p> +<p> + "Not so badly answered, for an artist; and in a few words, too," said + Benoni, approvingly. "But, my dear boy, the trouble is that I shall + not get to heaven either way, for it is my great misfortune to be + already condemned to everlasting flames." +</p> +<p> + "No one is that," said Nino, gravely. +</p> +<p> + "There are some exceptions, you know," said Benoni. +</p> +<p> + "Well," answered the young man thoughtfully, "of course there is the + Wandering Jew, and such tales, but nobody believes in him." +</p> +<p> + "Good-night," said Benoni. "I am tired and most go to bed." +</p> +<p> + Nino found his way out alone, but carefully noted the position of the + palazzo before he went home through the deserted streets. It was four + in the morning. +</p> +<a name="chapter_11"></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h3> + CHAPTER XI +</h3> +<p> + Early in the morning after Nino's visit to Signor Benoni, De Pretis + came to my house, wringing his hands and making a great trouble and + noise. I had not yet seen Nino, who was sound asleep, though I could + not imagine why he did not wake. But De Pretis was in such a temper + that he shook the room and everything in it, as he stamped about the + brick floor. It was not long before he had told me the cause of his + trouble. He had just received a formal note from the Graf von Lira, + inclosing the amount due to him for lessons, and dispensing with his + services for the future. +</p> +<p> + Of course this was the result of the visit Nino had so rashly made; it + all came out afterwards, and I will not now go through the details + that De Pretis poured out, when we only half knew the truth. The + count's servant who admitted Nino had pocketed the five francs as + quietly as you please; and the moment the count returned he told him + how Nino had come and had stayed three-quarters of an hour just as if + it were an everyday affair. The count, being a proud old man, did not + encourage him to make further confidences, but sent him about his + business. He determined to make a prisoner of his daughter until he + could remove her from Rome. He accordingly confined her in the little + suite of apartments that were her own, and set an old soldier, whom he + had brought from Germany, as a body-servant, to keep watch at the + outer door. He did not condescend to explain even to Hedwig the cause + of his conduct, and she, poor girl, was as proud as he, and would not + ask why she was shut up, lest the answer should be a storm of abuse + against Nino. She cared not at all how her father had found out her + secret, so long as he knew it, and she guessed that submission would + be the best policy. +</p> +<p> + Meanwhile, active preparations were made for an immediate departure. + The count informed his friends that he was going to pass Lent in + Paris, on account of his daughter's health, which was very poor, and + in two days everything was ready. They would leave on the following + morning. In the evening the count entered his daughter's apartments, + after causing himself to be formally announced by a servant, and + briefly informed her that they would start for Paris on the following + morning. Her maid had been engaged in the meantime in packing her + effects, not knowing whither her mistress was going. Hedwig received + the announcement in silence, but her father saw that she was deadly + white and her eyes heavy from weeping. I have anticipated this much to + make things clearer. It was on the first morning of Hedwig's + confinement that De Pretis came to our house. +</p> +<p> + Nino was soon waked by the maestro's noise, and came to the door of + his chamber, which opens into the little sitting-room, to inquire what + the matter might be. Nino asked if the maestro were peddling cabbages, + that he should scream so loudly. +</p> +<p> + "Cabbages, indeed! cabbage yourself, silly boy!" cried Ercole, shaking + his fist at Nino's head, just visible through the crack of the door. + "A pretty mess you have made with your ridiculous love affair! Here am + I——" +</p> +<p> + "I see you are," retorted Nino; "and do not call any affair of mine + ridiculous, or I will throw you out of the window. Wait a moment!" + With that he slammed his door in the maestro's face, and went on with + his dressing. For a few minutes De Pretis raved at his ease, venting + his wrath on me. Then Nino came out. +</p> +<p> + "Now, then," said he, preparing for a tussle, "what is the matter, my + dear maestro?" but Ercole had expended most of his fury already. +</p> +<p> + "The matter!" he grumbled. "The matter is that I have lost an + excellent pupil through you. Count Lira says he does not require my + services any longer, and the man who brought the note says they are + going away." +</p> +<p> + "Diavolo!" said Nino, running his fingers through his curly black + hair, "it is indeed serious. Where are they going?" +</p> +<p> + "How should I know?" asked De Pretis angrily. "I care much more about + losing the lesson than about where they are going. I shall not follow + them, I promise you. I cannot take the basilica of St. Peter about + with me in my pocket, can I?" +</p> +<p> + And so he was angry at first, and at length he was pacified, and + finally he advised Nino to discover immediately where the count and + his daughter were going; and if it were to any great capital, to + endeavour to make a contract to sing there. Lent came early that year, + and Nino was free at the end of Carnival,—not many days longer to + wait. This was the plan that had instantly formed itself in Nino's + brain. De Pretis is really a most obliging man, but one cannot wonder + that he should be annoyed at the result of Nino's four months' + courtship under such great difficulties, when it seemed that all their + efforts had led only to the sudden departure of his lady-love. As for + me, I advised Nino to let the whole matter drop then and there. I told + him he would soon get over his foolish passion, and that a statue + like Hedwig could never suffer anything, since she could never feel. + But he glared at me, and did as he liked, just as he always has done. +</p> +<p> + The message on the handkerchief that Nino had received the night + before warned him to keep away from the Palazzo Carmandola. Nino + reflected that this warning was probably due to Hedwig's anxiety for + his personal safety, and he resolved to risk anything rather than + remain in ignorance of her destination. It must be a case of giving + some signal. But this evening he had to sing at the theatre, and, + therefore, without more ado, he left us, and went to bed again, where + he stayed until twelve o'clock. Then he went to rehearsal, arriving an + hour behind time, at least, a matter which he treated with the coolest + indifference. After that he got a pound of small shot, and amused + himself with throwing a few at a time at the kitchen window from the + little court at the back of our house, where the well is. It seemed a + strangely childish amusement for a great singer. +</p> +<p> + Having sung successfully through his opera that night, he had supper + with us, as usual, and then went out. Of course he told me afterwards + what he did. He went to his old post under the windows of the Palazzo + Carmandola, and as soon as all was dark he began to throw small shot + up at Hedwig's window. He now profited by his practice in the + afternoon, for he made the panes rattle with the little bits of lead, + several times. At last he was rewarded. Very slowly the window opened, + and Hedwig's voice spoke in a low tone: +</p> +<p> + "Is it you?" +</p> +<p> + "Ah, dear one! Can you ask?" began Nino. +</p> +<p> + "Hush! I am still locked up. We are going away,—I cannot tell where." +</p> +<p> + "When, dearest love?" +</p> +<p> + "I cannot tell. What <i>shall</i> we do?" very tearfully. "I will follow + you immediately; only let me know when and where." +</p> +<p> + "If you do not hear by some other means, come here to-morrow night. I + hear steps. Go at once." +</p> +<p> + "Good-night, dearest," he murmured; but the window was already closed, + and the fresh breeze that springs up after one o'clock blew from the + air the remembrance of the loving speech that had passed upon it. +</p> +<p> + On the following night he was at his post, and again threw the shot + against the pane for a signal. After a long time Hedwig opened the + window very cautiously. +</p> +<p> + "Quick!" she whispered down to him, "go! They are all awake," and she + dropped something heavy and white. Perhaps she added some word, but + Nino would not tell me, and never would read me the letter. But it + contained the news that Hedwig and her father were to leave Rome for + Paris on the following morning; and ever since that night Nino has + worn upon his little finger a plain gold ring,—I cannot tell why, and + he says he found it. +</p> +<p> + The next day he ascertained from the porter of the Palazzo Carmandola + that the count and contessina, with their servants, had actually left + Rome that morning for Paris. From that moment he was sad as death, and + went about his business heavily, being possessed of but one idea, + namely, to sign an engagement to sing in Paris as soon as possible. In + that wicked city the opera continues through Lent, and after some + haggling, in which De Pretis insisted on obtaining for Nino the most + advantageous terms, the contract was made out and signed. +</p> +<p> + I see very well that unless I hurry myself I shall never reach the + most important part of this story, which is after all the only part + worth telling. I am sure I do not know how I can ever tell it so + quickly, but I will do my best, and you must have a little patience; + for though I am not old, I am not young, and Nino's departure for + Paris was a great shock to me, so that I do not like to remember it, + and the very thought of it sickens me. If you have ever had any + education, you must have seen an experiment in which a mouse is put in + a glass jar, and all the air is drawn away with a pump, so that the + poor little beast languishes and rolls pitifully on its side, gasping + and wheezing with its tiny lungs for the least whiff of air. That is + just how I felt when Nino went away. It seemed as though I could not + breathe in the house or in the streets, and the little rooms at home + were so quiet that one might hear a pin fall, and the cat purring + through the closed doors. Nino left at the beginning of the last ten + days of Carnival, when the opera closed, so that it was soon Lent; and + everything is quieter then. +</p> +<p> + But before he left us there was noise enough and bustle of + preparation, and I did not think I should miss him; for he always was + making music, or walking about, or doing something to disturb me just + at the very moment when I was most busy with my books. Mariuccia, + indeed, would ask me from time to time what I should do when Nino was + gone, as if she could foretell what I was to feel. I suppose she knew + I was used to him, after fourteen years of it, and would be inclined + to black humours for want of his voice. But she could not know just + what Nino is to me, nor how I look on him as my own boy. These + peasants are quick-witted and foolish; they guess a great many things + better than I could, and then reason on them like idiots. +</p> +<p> + Nino himself was glad to go. I could see his face grow brighter as the + time approached; and though he appeared to be more successful than + ever in his singing, I am sure that he cared nothing for the applause + he got, and thought only of singing as well as he could for the love + of it. But when it came to the parting we were left alone. +</p> +<p> + "Messer Cornelio," he said, looking at me affectionately, "I have + something to say to you to-night before I go away." +</p> +<p> + "Speak, then, my dear boy," I answered, "for no one hears us." +</p> +<p> + "You have been very good to me. A father could not have loved me + better, and such a father as I had could not have done a thousandth + part what you have done for me. I am going out into the world for a + time, but my home is here,—or rather, where my home is will always be + yours. You have been my father, and I will be your son; and it is time + you should give up your professorship. No, not that you are at all + old; I do not mean that." +</p> +<p> + "No, indeed," said I, "I should think not." +</p> +<p> + "It would be much more proper if you retired into an elegant leisure, + so that you might write as many books as you desire without wearing + yourself out in teaching those students every day. Would you not like + to go back to Serveti?" +</p> +<p> + "Serveti!—ah, beautiful, lost Serveti, with its castle and good + vine-lands!" +</p> +<p> + "You shall have it again before long, my father," he said. He had + never called me father before, the dear boy! I suppose it was because + he was going away. But Serveti again? The thing was impossible, and I + said so. +</p> +<p> + "It is not impossible," he answered, placidly. "Successful singers + make enough money in a year to buy Serveti. A year is soon passed. But + now let us go to the station, or I shall not be in time for the + train." +</p> +<p> + "God bless you, Nino mio," I said, as I saw him off. It seemed to me + that I saw two or three Ninos. But the train rolled away and took + them all from me,—the ragged little child who first came to me, the + strong-limbed, dark-eyed boy with his scales and trills and + enthusiasm, and the full-grown man with the face like the great + emperor, mightily triumphing in his art and daring in his love. They + were all gone in a moment, and I was left alone on the platform of the + station, a very sorrowful and weak old man. Well, I will not think + about that day. +</p> +<p> + The first I heard of Nino was by a letter he wrote me from Paris, a + fortnight after he had left me. It was characteristic of him, being + full of eager questions about home and De Pretis and Mariuccia and + Rome. Two things struck me in his writing. In the first place, he made + no mention of the count or Hedwig, which led me to suppose that he was + recovering from his passion, as boys do when they travel. And + secondly, he had so much to say about me that he forgot all about his + engagement, and never even mentioned the theatre. On looking carefully + through the letter again I found he had written across the top the + words, "Rehearsals satisfactory." That was all. +</p> +<p> + It was not long after the letter came, however, that I was very much + frightened by receiving a telegram, which must have cost several + francs to send all that distance. By this he told me that he had no + clue to the whereabouts of the Liras, and he implored me to make + inquiries and discover where they had gone. He added that he had + appeared in <i>Faust</i> successfully. Of course he would succeed. If a + singer can please the Romans, he can please anybody. But it seemed to + me that if he had received a very especially flattering reception he + would have said so. I went to see De Pretis, whom I found at home over + his dinner. We put our heads together and debated how we might + discover the Paris address of the Graf von Lira. In a great city like + that it was no wonder Nino could not find them; but De Pretis hoped + that some of his pupils might be in correspondence with the + contessina, and would be willing to give the requisite directions for + reaching her. But days passed, and a letter came from Nino written + immediately after sending the telegram, and still we had accomplished + nothing. The letter merely amplified the telegraphic message. +</p> +<p> + "It is no use," I said to De Pretis. "And besides, it is much better + that he should forget all about it." +</p> +<p> + "You do not know that boy," said the maestro, taking snuff. And he was + quite right, as it turned out. +</p> +<p> + Suddenly Nino wrote from London. He had made an arrangement, he said, + by which he was allowed to sing there for three nights only. The two + managers had settled it between them, being friends. He wrote very + despondently, saying that although he had been far more fortunate in + his appearances than he had expected, he was in despair at not having + found the contessina, and had accepted the arrangement which took him + to London because he had hopes of finding her there. On the day which + brought me this letter I had a visitor. Nino had been gone nearly a + month. It was in the afternoon, towards sunset, and I was sitting in + the old green arm-chair watching the goldfinch in his cage, and + thinking sadly of the poor dear baroness, and of my boy, and of many + things. The bell rang and Mariuccia brought me a card in her thick + fingers which were black from peeling potatoes, so that the mark of + her thumb came off on the white pasteboard. The name on the card was + "Baron Ahasuerus Benoni," and there was no address. I told her to show + the signore into the sitting-room, and he was not long in coming. I + immediately recognised the man Nino had described, with his unearthly + freshness of complexion, his eagle nose, and his snow-white hair. I + rose to greet him. +</p> +<p> + "Signor Grandi," he said, "I trust you will pardon my intrusion. I am + much interested in your boy, the great tenor." +</p> +<p> + "Sir," I replied, "the visit of a gentleman is never an intrusion. + Permit me to offer you a chair." He sat down, and crossed one thin leg + over the other. He was dressed in the height of the fashion; he wore + patent-leather shoes, and carried a light ebony cane with a silver + head. His hat was perfectly new, and so smoothly brushed that it + reflected a circular image of the objects in the room. But he had a + certain dignity that saved his foppery from seeming ridiculous. +</p> +<p> + "You are very kind," he answered. "Perhaps you would like to hear some + news of Signor Cardegna,—your boy, for he is nothing else." +</p> +<p> + "Indeed" I said, "I should be very glad. Has he written to you, + baron?" +</p> +<p> + "Oh, no! We are not intimate enough for that. But I ran on to Paris + the other day, and heard him three or four times, and had him to + supper at Bignon's. He is a great genius, your boy, and has won all + hearts." +</p> +<p> + "That is a compliment of weight from so distinguished a musician as + yourself," I answered; for, as you know, Nino had told me all about + his playing. Indeed, the description was his, which is the reason why + it is so enthusiastic. +</p> +<p> + "Yes," said Benoni, "I am a great traveller, and often go to Paris for + a day or two. I know everyone there. Cardegna had a perfect ovation. + All the women sent him flowers, and all the men asked him to dinner." +</p> +<p> + "Pardon my curiosity," I interrupted, "but as you know everyone in + Paris, could you inform me whether Count von Lira and his daughter are + there at present? He is a retired Prussian officer." Benoni stretched + out one of his long arms and ran his fingers along the keys of the + piano without striking them. He could just reach so far from where he + sat. He gave no sign of intelligence, and I felt sure that Nino had + not questioned him. +</p> +<p> + "I know them very well," he said, presently, "but I thought they were + here." +</p> +<p> + "No, they left suddenly for Paris a month ago." +</p> +<p> + "I can very easily find out for you," said Benoni, his bright eyes + turning on me with a searching look. "I can find out from Lira's + banker, who is probably also mine. What is the matter with that young + man? He is as sad as Don Quixote." +</p> +<p> + "Nino? He is probably in love," I said, rather indiscreetly. +</p> +<p> + "In love? Then of course he is in love with Mademoiselle de Lira, and + has gone to Paris to find her, and cannot. That is why you ask me." I + was so much astonished at the quickness of his guesswork that I + stared, open-mouthed. +</p> +<p> + "He must have told you!" I exclaimed at last. +</p> +<p> + "Nothing of the kind. In the course of a long life I have learned to + put two and two together, that is all. He is in love, he is your boy, + and you are looking for a certain young lady. It is as clear as day." + But in reality he had guessed the secret long before. +</p> +<p> + "Very well," said I, humbly, but doubting him, all the same, "I can + only admire your perspicacity. But I would be greatly obliged if you + would find out where they are, those good people. You seem to be a + friend of my boy's, baron. Help him, and he will be grateful to you. + It is not such a very terrible thing that a great artist should love a + noble's daughter, after all, though I used to think so." Benoni + laughed, that strange laugh which Nino had described,—a laugh that + seemed to belong to another age. +</p> +<p> + "You amuse me with your prejudices about nobility," he said, and his + brown eyes flashed and twinkled again. "The idea of talking about + nobility in this age! You might as well talk of the domestic economy + of the Garden of Eden." +</p> +<p> + "But you are yourself a noble—a baron," I objected. +</p> +<p> + "Oh, I am anything you please," said Benoni. "Some idiot made a baron + of me the other day because I lent him money and he could not pay it. + But I have some right to it, after all, for I am a Jew. The only real + nobles are Welshmen and Jews. You cannot call anything so ridiculously + recent as the European upper classes a nobility. Now I go straight + back to the creation of the world, like all my countrymen. The + Hibernians get a factitious reputation for antiquity by saying that + Eve married an Irishman after Adam died, and that is about as much + claim as your European nobles have to respectability. Bah! I know + their beginnings, very small indeed." +</p> +<p> + "You also seem to have strong prejudices on the subject," said I, not + wishing to contradict a guest in my house. +</p> +<p> + "So strong that it amounts to having no prejudices at all. Your boy + wants to marry a noble damosel. In Heaven's name let him do it. Let us + manage it amongst us. Love is a grand thing. I have loved several + women all their lives. Do not look surprised. I am a very old man; + they have all died, and at present I am not in love with anybody. I + suppose it cannot last long, however. I loved a woman once on a + time"—Benoni paused. He seemed to be on the verge of a soliloquy, and + his strange, bright face, which seemed illuminated always with a + deathless vitality, became dreamy and looked older. But he + recollected himself and rose to go. His eye caught sight of the guitar + that hung on the wall. +</p> +<p> + "Ah," he cried suddenly, "music is better than love, for it lasts; let + us make music." He dropped his hat and stick and seized the + instrument. In an instant it was tuned and he began to perform the + most extraordinary feats of agility with his fingers that I ever + beheld. Some of it was very beautiful, and some of it very sad and + wild, but I understood Nino's enthusiasm. I could have listened to the + old guitar in his hands for hours together,—I, who care little for + music; and I watched his face. He stalked about the room with the + thing in his hands, in a sort of wild frenzy of execution. His + features grew ashy pale, and his smooth white hair stood out wildly + from his head. He looked, then, more than a hundred years old, and + there was a sadness and a horror about him that would have made the + stones cry aloud for pity. I could not believe he was the same man. At + last he was tired, and stopped. +</p> +<p> + "You are a great artist, baron," I said. "Your music seems to affect + you much." +</p> +<p> + "Ah, yes, it makes me feel like other men for the time," said he, in a + low voice. "Did you know that Paganini always practised on the guitar? + It is true. Well, I will find out about the Liras for you in a day or + two, before I leave Rome again." +</p> +<p> + I thanked him and he took his leave. +</p> +<a name="chapter_12"></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h3> + CHAPTER XII +</h3> +<p> + Benoni had made an impression on me that nothing could efface. His + tall thin figure and bright eyes got into my dreams and haunted me, so + that I thought my nerves were affected. For several days I could think + of nothing else, and at last had myself bled, and took some cooling + barley-water, and gave up eating salad at night, but without any + perceptible effect. +</p> +<p> + Nino wrote often, and seemed very much excited about the disappearance + of the contessina, but what could I do? I asked everyone I knew, and + nobody had heard of them, so that at last I quite gave it over, and + wrote to tell him so. A week passed, then a fortnight, and I had heard + nothing from Benoni. Nino wrote again, enclosing a letter addressed to + the Contessina di Lira, which he implored me to convey to her, if I + loved him. He said he was certain that she had never left Italy. Some + instinct seemed to tell him so, and she was evidently in neither + London nor Paris, for he had made every inquiry, and had even been to + the police about it. Two days after this, Benoni came. He looked + exactly as he did the first time I saw him. +</p> +<p> + "I have news," he said, briefly, and sat down in the arm-chair, + striking the dust from his boot with his little cane. +</p> +<p> + "News of the Graf?" I inquired. +</p> +<p> + "Yes. I have found out something. They never left Italy at all, it + seems. I am rather mystified, and I hate mystification. The old man is + a fool; all old men are fools, excepting myself. Will you smoke? No? + Allow me, then. It is a modern invention, but a very good one." He lit + a cigarette. "I wish your Liras were in Tophet," he continued, + presently. "How can people have the bad taste to hide? It only makes + ingenious persons the more determined to find them." He seemed + talkative, and as I was so sad and lonely I encouraged him by a little + stimulus of doubt. I wish I had doubted him sooner, and differently. +</p> +<p> + "What is the use?" I asked. "We shall never find them." +</p> +<p> + "'Never' is a great word,'" said Benoni. "You do not know what it + means. I do. But as for finding them, you shall see. In the first + place, I have talked with their banker. He says the count gave the + strictest orders to have his address kept a secret. But, being one of + my people he allowed himself to make an accidental allusion which gave + me a clue to what I wanted. They are hidden somewhere in the + mountains." +</p> +<p> + "Diavolo! among the brigands: they will not be very well treated," + said I. +</p> +<p> + "The old man will be careful. He will keep clear of danger. The only + thing is to find them." +</p> +<p> + "And what then?" I asked. +</p> +<p> + "That depends on the most illustrious Signor Cardegna," said Benoni, + smiling. "He only asked you to find them. He probably did not + anticipate that I would help you." +</p> +<p> + It did not appear to me that Benoni had helped me much, after all. You + might as well look for a needle in a haystack as try to find anyone + who goes to the Italian mountains. The baron offered no further + advice, and sat calmly smoking and looking at me. I felt uneasy, + opposite him. He was a mysterious person, and I thought him disguised. + It was really not possible that, with his youthful manner, his hair + should be naturally so white, or that he should be so old as he + seemed. I asked him the question we always find it interesting to ask + foreigners, hoping to lead him into conversation. +</p> +<p> + "How do you like our Rome, Baron Benoni?" +</p> +<p> + "Rome? I loathe and detest it," he said, with a smile. "There is only + one place in the whole world that I hate more." +</p> +<p> + "What place is that?" I asked, remembering that he had made the same + remark to Nino before. +</p> +<p> + "Jerusalem," he answered, and the smile faded on his face. I thought I + guessed the reason of his dislike in his religious views. But I am + very liberal about those things. +</p> +<p> + "I think I understand you," I said; "you are a Hebrew, and the + prevailing form of religion is disagreeable to you." +</p> +<p> + "No, it is not exactly that,—and yet, perhaps, it is." He seemed to + be pondering on the reason of his dislike. +</p> +<p> + "But why do you visit these places if they do not please you?" +</p> +<p> + "I come here because I have so many agreeable acquaintances. I never + go to Jerusalem. I also come here from time to time to take a bath. + The water of the Trevi has a peculiarly rejuvenating effect upon me, + and something impels me to bathe in it." +</p> +<p> + "Do you mean in the fountain? Ah, foreigners say that if you drink the + water by moonlight you will return to Rome." +</p> +<p> + "Foreigners are all weak-minded fools. I like that word. The human + race ought to be called fools generically, as distinguished from the + more intelligent animals. If you went to England you would be as great + a fool as any Englishman that comes here and drinks Trevi water by + moonlight. But I assure you I do nothing so vulgar as to patronise the + fountain, any more than I would patronise Mazzarino's church, hard by. + I go to the source, the spring, the well where it rises." +</p> +<p> + "Ah, I know the place well," I said. "It is near to Serveti." +</p> +<p> + "Serveti? Is that not in the vicinity of Horace's villa?" +</p> +<p> + "You know the country well, I see," said I, sadly. +</p> +<p> + "I know most things," answered the Jew, with complacency. "You would + find it hard to hit upon anything I do not know. Yes, I am a vain man, + it is true, but I am very frank and open about it. Look at my + complexion. Did you ever see anything like it? It is Trevi water that + does it." I thought such excessive vanity very unbecoming in a man of + his years, but I could not help looking amused. It was so odd to hear + the old fellow descanting on his attractions. He actually took a small + mirror from his pocket and looked at himself in most evident + admiration. +</p> +<p> + "I really believe," he said at length, pocketing the little + looking-glass, "that a woman might love me still. What do you say?" +</p> +<p> + "Doubtless," I answered politely, although I was beginning to be + annoyed, "a woman might love you at first sight. But it would be more + dignified for you not to love her." +</p> +<p> + "Dignity!" He laughed long and loud, a cutting laugh, like the + breaking of glass. "There is another of your phrases. Excuse my + amusement, Signor Grandi, but the idea of dignity always makes me + smile." He called that thing a smile! "It is in everybody's + mouth,—the dignity of the State, the dignity of the king, the dignity + of woman, the dignity of father, mother, schoolmaster, soldier. Psh! + an apoplexy, as you say, on all the dignities you can enumerate. There + is more dignity in a poor patient ass toiling along a rough road under + a brutal burden that in the entire human race put together, from Adam + to myself. The conception of dignity is notional, most entirely. I + never see a poor wretch of a general, or king, or any such animal, + adorned in his toggery of dignity without laughing at him, and his + dignity again leads him to suppose that my smile is the result of the + pleasurable sensations his experience excites in me. Nature has + dignity at times; some animals have it; but man, never. What man + mistakes for it in himself is his vanity,—a vanity much more + pernicious than mine, because it deceives its possessor, who is also + wholly possessed by it, and is its slave. I have had a great many + illusions in my life, Signor Grandi." +</p> +<p> + "One would say, baron, that you had parted with them." +</p> +<p> + "Yes, and that is my chief vanity,—the vanity of vanities which I + prefer to all the others. It is only a man of no imagination who has + no vanity. He cannot imagine himself any better than he is. A creative + genius makes for his own person a 'self' which he thinks he is, or + desires other people to believe him to be. It makes little difference + whether he succeeds or not, so long as he flatters himself he does. He + complacently takes all his images from the other animals, or from + natural objects and phenomena, depicting himself bold as an eagle, + brave as a lion, strong as an ox, patient as an ass, vain as a + popinjay, talkative as a parrot, wily as a serpent, gentle as a dove, + cunning as a fox, surly as a bear; his glance is lightning, his voice + thunder, his heart stone, his hands are iron, his conscience a hell, + his sinews of steel, and his love like fire. In short, he is like + anything alive or dead, except a man, saving when he is mad. Then he + is a fool. Only man can be a fool. It distinguishes him from the + higher animals." +</p> +<p> + I cannot describe the unutterable scorn that blazed in his eyes as + Benoni poured out the vials of his wrath on the unlucky human race. + With my views, we were not likely to agree in this matter. +</p> +<p> + "Who are you?" I asked. "What right can you possibly have to abuse us + all in such particularly strong terms? Do you ever make proselytes to + your philosophy?" +</p> +<p> + "No," said he, answering my last question, and recovering his serenity + with that strange quickness of transition I had remarked when he had + made music during his previous visit. "No, they all die before I have + taught them anything." +</p> +<p> + "That does not surprise me, baron," said I. He laughed a little. +</p> +<p> + "Well, perhaps it would surprise you even less if you knew me better," + he replied. "But really, I came here to talk about Cardegna and not to + chatter about that contemptible creature, man, who is not worth a + moment's notice, I assure you. I believe I can find these people, and + I confess it would amuse me to see the old man's face when we walk in + upon him. I must be absent for a few days on business in Austria, and + shall return immediately, for I have not taken my bath yet that I + spoke of. Now, if it is agreeable to you, I would propose that we go + to the hills, on my return, and prosecute our search together; writing + to Nino in the meantime to come here as soon as he has finished his + engagement in Paris. If he comes quickly, he may go with us; if not, + he can join us. At all events, we can have a very enjoyable tour among + the natives, who are charming people, quite like animals, as you ought + to know." +</p> +<p> + I think I must be a very suspicious person. Circumstances have made me + so, and perhaps my suspicions are very generally wrong. It may be. At + all events I did suspect the rich and dandified old baron of desiring + to have a laugh by putting Nino into some absurd situation. He had + such strange views, or, at least, he talked so oddly, that I did not + believe half he said. It is not possible that anybody should seriously + hold the opinions he professed. +</p> +<p> + When he was gone I sat alone, pondering on this situation, which was + like a very difficult problem in a nightmare, that could not or would + not look sensible, do what I would. It chanced that I got a letter + from Nino that evening, and I confess I was reluctant to open it, + fearing that he would reproach me with not having taken more pains to + help him. I felt as though, before opening the envelope, I should like + to go back a fortnight and put forth all my strength to find the + contessina, and gain a comforting sense of duty performed. If I had + only done my best how easy it would have been to face a whole sheet of + complaints! Meanwhile the letter was come, and I had done nothing + worth mentioning. I looked at the back of it, and my conscience smote + me; but it had to be accomplished, and at last I tore the cover off + and read. +</p> +<p> + Poor Nino! He said he was ill with anxiety, and feared it would injure + his voice. He said that to break his engagement and come back to + Rome would be ruin to him. He must face it out, or take the legal + consequences of a breach of contract, which are overwhelming to a + young artist. He detailed all the efforts he had made to find Hedwig, + pursuing every little sign and clue that seemed to present itself; all + to no purpose. The longer he thought of it, the more certain he was + that Hedwig was not in Paris or London. She might be anywhere else in + the whole world, but she was certainly not in either of those cities. + Of that he was convinced. He felt like a man who had pursued a + beautiful image to the foot of a precipitous cliff; the rock had + opened and swallowed up his dream, leaving him standing alone in + hopeless despair; and a great deal more poetic nonsense of that kind. +</p> +<p> + I do not believe I had ever realised what he so truly felt for Hedwig + until I sat at my table with his letter before me, overcome with the + sense of my own weakness in not having effectually checked this mad + passion at its rise; or, since it had grown so masterfully, of my + wretched procrastination in not having taken my staff in my hand and + gone out into the world to find the woman my boy loved and bring her + to him. By this time, I thought, I should have found her. I could not + bear to think of his being ill, suffering, heart-broken,—ruined, if + he lost his voice by an illness,—merely because I had not had the + strength to do the best thing for him. Poor Nino, I thought, you shall + never say again that Cornelio Grandi has not done what was in his + power to make you happy. +</p> +<p> + "That baron! an apoplexy on him! has illuded me with his promises of + help," I said to myself. "He has no more intention of helping me or + Nino than he has of carrying off the basilica of St. Peter. Courage, + Cornelio! thou must gird up thy loins, and take a little money in thy + scrip, and find Hedwig von Lira." +</p> +<p> + All that night I lay awake, trying to think how I might accomplish + this end; wondering to which point of the compass I should turn, and, + above all, reflecting that I must make great sacrifices. But my boy + must have what he wanted, since he was consuming himself, as we say, + in longing, for it. It seemed to me no time for counting the cost, + when every day might bring upon him a serious illness. If he could + only know that I was acting, he would allow his spirits to revive and + take courage. +</p> +<p> + In the watches of the night I thought over my resources, which, + indeed, were meagre enough; for I am a very poor man. It was necessary + to take a great deal of money, for once away from Rome no one could + tell when I might return. My salary as professor is paid to me + quarterly, and it was yet some weeks to the time when it was due. I + had only a few francs remaining,—not more than enough to pay my rent + and to feed Mariuccia and me. I had paid at Christmas the last + instalment due on my vineyard out of Porta Salara, and though I owed + no man anything I had no money, and no prospect of any for some time. + And yet I could not leave home on a long journey without at least two + hundred scudi in my pocket. A scudo is a dollar, and a dollar has five + francs, so that I wanted a thousand francs. You see, in spite of the + baron's hint about the mountains, I thought I might have to travel all + over Italy before I satisfied Nino. +</p> +<p> + A thousand francs is a great deal of money,—it is a Peru, as we say. + I had not the first sou toward it. I thought a long time. I wondered + if the old piano were worth anything; whether anybody would give me + money for my manuscripts, the results of patient years of labour and + study; my old gold scarf pin, my seal ring, and even my silver watch, + which keeps really very good time,—what were they worth? But it would + not be much, not the tenth part of what I wanted. I was in despair, + and I tried to sleep. Then a thought came to me. +</p> +<p> + "I am a donkey," I said. "There is the vineyard itself,—my little + vineyard beyond Porta Salara. It is mine and is worth half as much + again as I need." And I slept quietly till morning. +</p> +<p> + It is true, and I am sure it is natural, that in the daylight my + resolution looked a little differently to me than it did in the quiet + night. I had toiled and scraped a great deal more than you know to buy + that small piece of land, and it seemed much more my own than all + Serveti had ever been in my better days. Then I shut myself up in my + room and read Nino's letter over again, though it pained me very much; + for I needed courage. And when I had read it, I took some papers in my + pocket, and put on my hat and my old cloak, which Nino will never want + any more now for his midnight serenades, and I went out to sell my + little vineyard. +</p> +<p> + "It is for my boy," I said, to give myself some comfort. +</p> +<p> + But it is one thing to want to buy, and it is quite another thing to + want to sell. All day I went from one man to another with my + papers,—all the agents who deal in those things; but they only said + they thought it might be sold in time; it would take many days, and + perhaps weeks. +</p> +<p> + "But I want to sell it to-day," I explained. +</p> +<p> + "We are very sorry," said they, with a shrug of the shoulders; and + they showed me the door. +</p> +<p> + I was extremely down-hearted, and though I could not sell my piece of + land I spent three sous in buying two cigars to smoke, and I walked + about the Piazza Colonna in the sun; I would not go home to dinner + until I had decided what to do. There was only one man I had not + tried, and he was the man who had sold it to me. Of course I knew + people who do this business, for I had had enough trouble to learn + their ways when I had to sell Serveti, years ago. But this one man I + had not tried yet, because I knew that he would drive a cruel bargain + with me when he saw I wanted the money. But at last I went to him and + told him just what my wishes were. +</p> +<p> + "Well," he said, "it is a very bad time for selling land. But to + oblige you, because you are a customer, I will give you eight hundred + francs for your little place. That is really much more than I can + afford." +</p> +<p> + "Eight hundred francs!" I exclaimed, in despair. "But I have paid you + nearly twice as much for it in the last three years! What do you take + me for? To sell such a gem of a vineyard for eight hundred francs? If + you offer me thirteen hundred I will discuss the matter with you." +</p> +<p> + "I have known you a long time, Signor Grandi, and you are an honest + man. I am sure you do not wish to deceive me. I will give you eight + hundred and fifty." +</p> +<p> + Deceive him, indeed! The very man who had received fifteen hundred + from me said I deceived him when I asked thirteen hundred for the same + piece of land! But I needed it very much, and so, bargaining and + wrangling, I got one thousand and seventy-five francs in bank-notes; + and I took care they should all be good ones too. It was a poor price, + I know, but I could do no better, and I went home happy. But I dared + not tell Mariuccia. She is only my servant, to be sure, but she would + have torn me in pieces. +</p> +<p> + Then I wrote to the authorities at the university to say that I was + obliged to leave Rome suddenly, and would of course not claim my + salary during my absence. But I added that I hoped they would not + permanently supplant me. If they did I knew I should be ruined. Then I + told Mariuccia that I was going away for some days to the country, and + I left her the money to pay the rent, and her wages, and a little + more, so that she might be provided for if I were detained very long. + I went out again and telegraphed to Nino to say I was going at once in + search of the Liras, and begging him to come home as soon as he should + have finished his engagement. +</p> +<p> + To tell the truth, Mariuccia was very curious to know where I was + going, and asked me many questions, which I had some trouble in + answering. But at last it was night again, and the old woman went to + bed and left me. Then I went on tiptoe to the kitchen, and found a + skein of thread and two needles, and set to work. +</p> +<p> + I knew the country whither I was going very well, and it was necessary + to hide the money I had in some ingenious way. So I took two + waistcoats—one of them was quite good still,—and I sewed them + together, and basted the bank-notes between them. It was a clumsy + piece of tailoring, though it took me so many hours to do it. But I + had put the larger waistcoat outside very cunningly, so that when I + had put on the two, you could not see that there was anything beneath + the outer one. I think I was very clever to do this without a woman to + help me. Then I looked to my boots, and chose my oldest clothes,—and + you may guess, from what you know of me, how old they were,—and I + made a little bundle that I could carry in my hand, with a change of + linen, and the like. These things I made ready before I went to bed, + and I slept with the two waistcoats and the thousand francs under my + pillow, though I suppose nobody would have chosen that particular + night for robbing me. +</p> +<p> + All these preparations had occupied me so much that I had not found + any time to grieve over my poor little vineyard that I had sold; and, + besides, I was thinking all the while of Nino, and how glad he would + be to know that I was really searching for Hedwig. But when I thought + of the vines, it hurt me; and I think it is only long after the deed + that it seems more blessed to give than to receive. +</p> +<p> + But at last I slept, as tired folk will, leaving care to the morrow; + and when I awoke it was daybreak, and Mariuccia was clattering angrily + with the tin coffee-pot outside. It was a bright morning, and the + goldfinch sang, and I could hear him scattering the millet seed about + his cage while I dressed. And then the parting grew very near, and I + drank my coffee silently, wondering how soon it would be over, and + wishing that the old woman would go out and let me have my house + alone. But she would not, and, to my surprise, she made very little + worry or trouble, making a great show of being busy. When I was quite + ready she insisted on putting a handful of roasted chestnuts into my + pocket, and she said she would pray for me. The fact is, she thought, + foolish old creature, as she is, that I was old and in poor health, + and she had often teased me to go into the country for a few days, so + that she was not ill pleased that I should seem to take her advice. + She stood looking after me as I trudged along the street, with my + bundle and my good stick in my right hand, and a lighted cigar in my + left. +</p> +<p> + I had made up my mind that I ought first to try the direction hinted + at by the baron, since I had absolutely no other clue to the + whereabouts of the Count von Lira and his daughter. I therefore got + into the old stage that still runs to Palestrina and the neighbouring + towns, for it is almost as quick as going by rail, and much cheaper; + and half-an-hour later we rumbled out of the Porta San Lorenzo, and I + had entered upon the strange journey to find Hedwig von Lira, + concerning which frivolous people have laughed so unkindly. And you + may call me a foolish old man if you like. I did it for my boy. +</p> +<a name="chapter_13"></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h3> + CHAPTER XIII +</h3> +<p> + I went to Palestrina because all foreigners go there, and are to be + heard of from other parts of the mountains in that place. It was a + long and tiresome journey; the jolting stage-coach shook me very much. + There was a stout woman inside, with a baby that squealed; there + was a very dirty old country curate, who looked as though he had not + shaved for a week, or changed his collar for a month. But he talked + intelligently, though he talked too much, and he helped to pass the + time until I was weary of him. We jolted along over the dusty roads, + and were at least thankful that it was not yet hot. +</p> +<p> + In the evening we reached Palestrina, and stopped before the inn in + the market-place, as tired and dusty as might be. The woman went one + way, and the priest the other, and I was left alone. I soon found the + fat old host, and engaged a room for the night. He was talkative and + curious, and sat by my side when he had prepared my supper in the + dingy dining-room downstairs. I felt quite sure that he would be able + to tell me what I wanted, or at least to give me a hint from hearsay. + But he at once began to talk of last year, and how much better his + business had been then than it was now, as country landlords + invariably do. +</p> +<p> + It was to no purpose that I questioned him about the people that had + passed during the fortnight, the month, the two months back; it was + clear that no one of the importance of my friends had been heard of. + At last I was tired, and he lit a wax candle, which he would carefully + charge in the bill afterwards, at double its natural price, and he + showed me the way to my room. It was a very decent little room, with + white curtains and a good bed and a table,—everything I could desire. + A storm had come up since I had been at my supper, and it seemed a + comfortable thing to go to bed, although I was disappointed at having + got no news. +</p> +<p> + But when I had blown out my candle, determining to expostulate with + the host in the morning if he attempted to make me pay for a whole + one, I lay thinking of what I should do; and, turning on my side, I + observed that a narrow crack of the door admitted rays of light into + the darkness of my chamber. Now I am very sensitive to draughts and + inclined to take cold, and the idea that there was a door open + troubled me, so that at last I made up my mind to get up and close it. + As I rose to my feet, I perceived that it was not the door by which I + had entered; and so, before shutting it, I called out, supposing there + might be someone in the next room. +</p> +<p> + "Excuse me," I said, loudly, "I will shut this door." But there was no + reply. +</p> +<p> + Curiosity is perhaps a vice, but it is a natural one. Instead of + pulling the door to its place, I pushed it a little, knocking with + my knuckles at the same time. But as no one answered, I pushed it + further, and put in my head. It was a disagreeable thing I saw. +</p> +<p> + The room was like mine in every way, save that the bed was moved to + the middle of the open space, and there were two candles on two + tables. On the bed lay a dead man. I felt what we call a brivido,—a + shiver like an ague. +</p> +<p> + It was the body of an old man, with a face like yellow wax, and a + singularly unpleasant expression even in death. His emaciated hands + were crossed on his breast, and held a small black crucifix. The + candles stood, one at the head and one at the foot, on little tables. + I entered the room and looked long at the dead old man. I thought it + strange that there should be no one to watch him, but I am not afraid + of dead men after the first shudder is past. It was a ghastly sight + enough, however, and the candles shed a glaring yellowish light over + it all. +</p> +<p> + "Poor wretch!" I said to myself, and went back to my room, closing the + door carefully behind me. +</p> +<p> + At first I thought of rousing the host, and explaining to him my + objections to being left almost in the same room with a corpse. But I + reflected that it would be foolish to seem afraid of it, when I was + really not at all timid, and so I went to bed and slept until dawn. + But when I went downstairs I found the innkeeper, and gave him a piece + of my mind. +</p> +<p> + "What sort of an inn do you keep? What manners are these?" I cried + angrily. "What diavolo put into your pumpkin head to give me a + sepulchre for a room?" +</p> +<p> + He seemed much disturbed at what I said, and broke out into a thousand + apologies. But I was not to be so easily pacified. +</p> +<p> + "Do you think," I demanded, "that I will ever come here again, or + advise any of my friends to come here? It is insufferable. I will + write to the police—" But at this he began to shed tears and to wring + his hands, saying it was not his fault. +</p> +<p> + "You see, signore, it was my wife who made me arrange it so. Oh! these + women—the devil has made them all! It was her father—the old dead + man you saw. He died yesterday morning—may he rest!—and we will + bury him to-day. You see everyone knows that unless a dead man is + watched by someone from another town his soul will not rest in peace. + My wife's father was a jettatore; he had the evil eye, and people knew + it for miles around, so I could not persuade anyone from the other + villages to sit by him and watch his body, though I sent everywhere + all day yesterday. At last that wife of mine—maledictions on her + folly!—said, 'It is my father, after all, and his soul must rest, at + any price. If you put a traveller in the next room, and leave the door + open, it will be the same thing; and so he will be in peace.' That is + the way it happened, signore," he continued, after wiping away his + tears; "you see I could not help it at all. But if you will overlook + it, I will not make any charges for your stay. My wife shall pay me. + She has poultry by the hundred. I will pay myself with her chickens." +</p> +<p> + "Very good," said I, well pleased at having got so cheap a lodging. + "But I am a just man, and I will pay for what I have eaten and drunk, + and you can take the night's lodging out of your wife's chickens, as + you say." So we were both satisfied.[Footnote: This incident actually + occurred, precisely as related.] +</p> +<p> + The storm of the night had passed away, leaving everything wet and the + air cool and fresh. I wrapped my cloak about me and went into the + market-place to see if I could pick up any news. It was already late + for the country, and there were few people about. Here and there, in + the streets, a wine-cart was halting on its way to Rome, while the + rough carter went through the usual arrangement of exchanging some of + his employer's wine for food for himself, filling up the barrel with + good pure water that never hurt anyone. I wandered about, though I + could not expect to see any face that I knew; it is so many years + since I lived at Serveti that even were the carters from my old place + I should have forgotten how they looked. Suddenly, at the corner of a + dirty street, where there was a little blue and white shrine to the + Madonna, I stumbled against a burly fellow with a gray beard carrying + a bit of salt codfish in one hand and a cake of corn bread in the + other, eating as he went. +</p> +<p> + "Gigi!" I cried, in delight, when I recognised the old carrettiere who + used to bring me grapes and wine, and still does when the fancy takes + him. +</p> +<p> + "Dio mio! Signor Conte!" he cried, with his mouth full, and holding + up the bread and fish with his two hands, in astonishment. When he + recovered himself he instantly offered to share his meal with me, as + the poorest wretch in Italy will offer his crust to the greatest + prince, out of politeness. "Vuol favorire?" he said, smiling. +</p> +<p> + I thanked him and declined, as you may imagine. Then I asked him how + he came to be in Palestrina; and he told me that he was often there in + the winter, as his sister had married a vine-dresser of the place, + of whom he bought wine occasionally. Very well-to-do people, he + explained, eagerly, proud of his prosperous relations. +</p> +<p> + We clambered along through the rough street together, and I asked him + what was the news from Serveti and from that part of the country, + well knowing that if he had heard of any rich foreigners in that + neighbourhood he would at once tell me of it. But I had not much hope. + He talked about the prospects of the vines, and such things, for some + time, and I listened patiently. +</p> +<p> + "By the by," he said at last, "there is a gran signore who is gone + to live in Fillettino,—a crazy man, they say, with a beautiful + daughter, but really beautiful, as an angel." +</p> +<p> + I was so much surprised that I made a loud exclamation. +</p> +<p> + "What is the matter?" asked Gigi. +</p> +<p> + "It is nothing, Gigi," I answered, for I was afraid lest he should + betray my secret, if I let him guess it. "It is nothing. I struck my + foot against a stone. But you were telling about a foreigner who is + gone to live somewhere. Fillettino? Where is that?" +</p> +<p> + "Oh, the place of the diavolo! I do not wonder you do not know, conte, + for gentlemen never go there. It is in the Abruzzi, beyond Trevi. Did + you ever hear of the Serra di Sant' Antonio, where so many people have + been killed?" +</p> +<p> + "Diana! I should think so! In the old days—" +</p> +<p> + "Bene," said Gigi, "Fillettino is there, at the beginning of the + pass." +</p> +<p> + "Tell me, Gigi mio," I said, "are you not very thirsty?" The way to + the heart of the wine carter lies through a pint measure. Gigi was + thirsty, as I supposed, and we sat down in the porch of my inn, and + the host brought a stoup of his best wine and set it before us. +</p> +<p> + "I would like to hear about the crazy foreigner who is gone to live in + the hills among the brigand," I said, when he had wet his throat. +</p> +<p> + "What I know I will tell you, Signor Conte," he answered, filling his + pipe with bits that he broke off a cigar. "But I know very little. He + must be a foreigner, because he goes to such a place; and he is + certainly crazy, for he shuts his daughter in the old castle, and + watches her as though she was made of wax, like the flowers you have + in Rome under glass." +</p> +<p> + "How long have they been there, these queer folks?" I asked. +</p> +<p> + "What do I know? It may be a month or two. A man told me, who had come + that way from Fucino, and that is all I know." +</p> +<p> + "Do people often travel that way, Gigi?" +</p> +<p> + "Not often, indeed," he answered, with a grin. "They are not very + civil, the people of those parts." Gigi made a gesture, or a series of + gestures. He put up his hands as though firing a gun. Then he opened + his right hand and closed it, with a kind of insinuating twirl of the + fingers, which means "to steal." Lastly he put his hand over his eyes, + and looked through his fingers as though they were bars, which means + "prison." From this I inferred that the inhabitants of Fillettino were + addicted to murder, robbery, and other pastimes, for which they + sometimes got into trouble. The place he spoke of is about thirty + miles, or something more, from Palestrina, and I began planning how I + should get there as cheaply as possible. I had never been there, and + wondered what kind of a habitation the count had found; for I knew it + must be the roughest sort of mountain town, with some dilapidated + castle or other overhanging it. But the count was rich, and he had + doubtless made himself very comfortable. I sat in silence while Gigi + finished his wine and chatted about his affairs between the whiffs of + his pipe. +</p> +<p> + "Gigi," I said at last, "I want to buy a donkey." +</p> +<p> + "Eh, your excellency can be accommodated: and a saddle, too, if you + wish." +</p> +<p> + "I think I could ride without a saddle," I said, for I thought it a + needless piece of extravagance. +</p> +<p> + "Madonna mia!" he cried. "The Signor Conte ride bareback on a donkey! + They would laugh at you. But my brother-in-law can sell you a beast + this very day, and for a mere song." +</p> +<p> + "Let us go and see the beast," I said. I felt a little ashamed of + having wished to ride without a saddle. But as I had sold all I had, + I wanted to make the money last as long as possible; or at least I + would spend as little as I could, and take something back, if I ever + went home at all. We had not far to go, and Gigi opened a door in + the street, and showed me a stable, in which something moved in the + darkness. Presently he led out an animal and began to descant upon its + merits. +</p> +<p> + "Did you ever see a more beautiful donkey?" asked Gigi, admiringly. + "It looks like a horse!" It was a little ass, with sad eyes, and ears + as long as its tail. It was also very thin, and had the hair rubbed + off its back from carrying burdens. But it had no sore places, and did + not seem lame. +</p> +<p> + "He is full of fire," said Gigi, poking the donkey in the ribs to + excite a show of animation. "You should see him gallop uphill with my + brother on his back, and a good load into the bargain. Brrrr! Stand + still, will you!" he cried, holding tight by the halter, though the + animal did not seem anxious to run away. +</p> +<p> + "And then," said Gigi, "he eats nothing,—positively nothing." +</p> +<p> + "He does not look as though he had eaten much of late," I said. +</p> +<p> + "Oh, my brother-in-law is as good to him as though he were a + Christian. He gives him corn bread and fish, just like his own + children. But this ass prefers straw." +</p> +<p> + "A frugal ass," I said, and we began to bargain. I will not tell you + what I gave Gigi's brother-in-law for the beast, because you would + laugh. And I bought an old saddle, too. It was really necessary, but + it was a dear bargain, though it was cheaper than hiring; for I sold + the donkey and the saddle again, and got back something. +</p> +<p> + It is a wild country enough that lies behind the mountains towards the + sources of the Aniene,—the river that makes the falls at Tivoli. + You could not half understand how in these times, under the new + government, and almost within a long day's ride from Rome, such things + could take place as I am about to tell you of, unless I explained to + you how very primitive that country is which lies to the south-east of + the capital, and which we generally call the Abruzzi. The district is + wholly mountainous, and though there are no very great elevations + there are very ragged gorges and steep precipices, and now and then an + inaccessible bit of forest far up among the rocks, which no man has + ever thought of cutting down. It would be quite impossible to remove + the timber. The people are mostly shepherds in the higher regions, + where there are no vines, and when opportunity offers they will waylay + the unwary traveller and rob him, and even murder him, without + thinking very much about it. In the old days the boundary between the + Papal States and the kingdom of Naples ran through these mountains, + and the contrabbandieri—the smugglers of all sorts of wares—used to + cross from one dominion to the other by circuitous paths and steep + ways of which only a few had knowledge. The better known of these + passes were defended by soldiers and police, but there have been + bloody fights fought, within a few years, between the law and its + breakers. Foreigners never penetrate into the recesses of these hills, + and even the English guide-books, which are said to contain an account + of everything that the Buon Dio ever made, compiled from notes taken + at the time of the creation, make no mention of places which surpass + in beauty all the rest of Italy put together. +</p> +<p> + No railroad or other modern innovation penetrates into those Arcadian + regions, where the goatherd plays upon his pipe all the day long, + the picture of peace and innocence, or prowls in the passes with a + murderous long gun, if there are foreigners in the air. The women toil + at carrying their scant supply of drinking-water from great distances + during a part of the day, and in the evening they spin industriously + by their firesides or upon their doorsteps, as the season will have + it. It is an old life, the same to-day as a thousand years ago, and + perhaps as it will be a thousand years hence. The men are great + travellers, and go to Rome in the winter to sell their cheese, or to + milk a flock of goats in the street at daybreak, selling the foaming + canful for a sou. But their visits to the city do not civilise them; + the outing only broadens the horizon of their views in regard to + foreigners, and makes them more ambitious to secure one, and see what + he is like, and cut off his ears, and get his money. Do not suppose + that the shepherd of the Abruzzi lies all day on the rocks in the sun, + waiting for the foreign gentleman to come within reach. He might wait + a long time. Climbing has strengthened the muscles of his legs into so + much steel, and a party of herdsmen have been known to come down from + the Serra to the plains around Velletri, and to return to their + inaccessible mountains, after doing daring deeds of violence, in + twenty-four hours from the time of starting, covering at least from + eighty to ninety miles by the way. They are extraordinary fellows, as + active as tigers, and fabulously strong, though they are never very + big. +</p> +<p> + This country begins behind the range of Sabine mountains seen from + Rome across the Campagna, and the wild character of it increases as + you go towards the south-east. +</p> +<p> + Since I have told you this much I need not weary you with further + descriptions. I do not like descriptions, and it is only when Nino + gives me his impressions that I write them, in order that you may + know how beautiful things impress him, and the better judge of his + character. +</p> +<p> + I do not think that Gigi really cheated me so very badly about the + donkey. Of course I do not believe the story of his carrying the + brother-in-law and the heavy load uphill at a gallop; but I am thin + and not very heavy, and the little ass carried me well enough through + the valleys, and when we came to a steep place I would get off and + walk, so as not to tire him too much. If he liked to crop a thistle or + a blade of grass, I would stop a moment, for I thought he would grow + fatter in that way, and I should not lose so much when I sold him + again. But he never grew very fat. +</p> +<p> + Twice I slept by the way before I reached the end of my journey,—once + at Olevano and once at Trevi; for the road from Olevano to Trevi is + long, and some parts are very rough, especially at first. I could tell + you just how every stone on the road looks—Rojate, the narrow pass + beyond, and then the long valley with the vines; then the road turns + away and rises as you go along the plateau of Arcinazzo, which is + hollow beneath, and you can hear the echoes as you tread; then at the + end of that the desperate old inn, called by the shepherds the Madre + dei Briganti,—the mother of brigands,—smoke-blackened within and + without, standing alone on the desolate heath; farther on, a broad + bend of the valley to the left, and you see Trevi rising before you, + crowned with an ancient castle, and overlooking the stream that + becomes the Aniene afterwards; from Trevi through a rising valley + that grows narrower at every step, and finally seems to end abruptly, + as indeed it does, in a dense forest far up the pass. And just below + the woods lies the town of Fillettino, where the road ends; for there + is a road which leads to Tivoli, but does not communicate with + Olevano, whence I had come. +</p> +<p> + Of course I had made an occasional inquiry by the way, when I could do + so without making people too curious. When anyone asked me where I was + going, I would say I was bound for Fucino, to buy beans for seed at + the wonderful model farm that Torlonia has made by draining the old + lake. And then I would ask about the road; and sometimes I was told + there was a strange foreigner at Fillettino, who made everybody wonder + about him by his peculiar mode of life. Therefore, when I at last saw + the town, I was quite sure that the count was there, and I got off my + little donkey, and let him drink in the stream, while I myself drank a + little higher up. The road was dusty, and my donkey and I were + thirsty. +</p> +<p> + I thought of all I would do, as I sat on the stone by the water + and the beast cropped the wretched grass, and soon I came to the + conclusion that I did not know in the least what I should do. I had + unexpectedly found what I wanted, very soon, and I was thankful enough + to have been so lucky. But I had not the first conception of what + course I was to pursue when once I had made sure of the count. + Besides, it was barely possible that it was not he, after all, but + another foreigner, with another daughter. The thought frightened me, + but I drove it away. If it were really old Lira who had chosen this + retreat in which to imprison his daughter and himself, I asked myself + whether I could do anything save send word to Nino as soon as + possible. +</p> +<p> + I felt like a sort of Don Quixote, suddenly chilled into the prosaic + requirements of common sense. Perhaps if Hedwig had been my Dulcinea, + instead of Nino's, the crazy fit would have lasted, and I would have + attempted to scale the castle wall and carry off the prize by force. + There is no telling what a sober old professor of philosophy may not + do when he is crazy. But meanwhile I was sane. Graf von Lira had a + right to live anywhere he pleased with his daughter, and the fact that + I had discovered the spot where he pleased to live did not constitute + an introduction. Or finally, if I got access to the old count, what + had I to say to him? Ought I to make a formal request for Nino? I + looked at my old clothes and almost smiled. +</p> +<p> + But the weather was cold, though the roads were dusty; so I mounted my + ass and jogged along, meditating deeply. +</p> +<a name="chapter_14"></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h3> + CHAPTER XIV +</h3> +<p> + Fillettino is a trifle cleaner than most towns of the same kind. + Perhaps it rains more often, and there are fewer people. Considering + that its vicinity has been the scene of robbery, murder, and all + manner of adventurous crime from time immemorial, I had expected to + find it a villainous place. It is nothing of the kind. There is a + decent appearance about it that is surprising; and though the houses + are old and brown and poor, I did not see pigs in many rooms, nor did + the little children beg of me, as they beg of everyone elsewhere. The + absence of the pigs struck me particularly, for in the Sabine towns + they live in common with the family, and go out only in the daytime to + pick up what they can get. +</p> +<p> + I went to the apothecary—there is always an apothecary in these + places—and inquired for a lodging. Before very long I had secured a + room, and it seemed that the people were accustomed to travellers, for + it was surprisingly clean. The bed was so high that I could touch the + ceiling when I sat on it, and the walls were covered with ornaments, + such as glazed earthenware saints, each with a little basin for holy + water, some old engravings of other saints, a few paper roses from the + last fair, and a weather-beaten game-pouch of leather. The window + looked out over a kind of square, where a great quantity of water ran + into a row of masonry tanks out of a number of iron pipes projecting + from an overhanging rock. Above the rock was the castle, the place I + had come to see, towering up against the darkening sky. +</p> +<p> + It is such a strange place that I ought to describe it to you, or you + will not understand the things that happened there. There is a great + rock, as I said, rising above the town, and upon this is built the + feudal stronghold, so that the walls of the building do not begin less + than forty feet from the street level. The height of the whole castle + consequently seems enormous. The walls, for the most part, follow the + lines of the gray rock, irregularly, as chance would have it, and the + result is a three-cornered pile, having a high square tower at one + angle, where also the building recedes some yards from the edge of + the cliff, leaving on that side a broad terrace guarded by a stone + parapet. On another side of the great isolated boulder a narrow + roadway heads up a steep incline, impracticable for carriages but + passable for four-footed beasts; and this path gives access to the + castle through a heavy gate opening upon a small court within. But the + rock itself has been turned to account, and there are chambers within + it which formerly served as prisons, opening to the right and left of + a narrow staircase, hewn out of the stone, and leading from the foot + of the tower to the street below, upon which it opens through a low + square door, set in the rock and studded with heavy iron rails. +</p> +<p> + Below the castle hangs the town, and behind it rises the valley, + thickly wooded with giant beech-trees. Of course I learned the details + of the interior little by little, and I gathered also some interesting + facts regarding the history of Fillettino, which are not in any way + necessary to my story. The first thing I did was to find out what + means of communication there were with Rome. There was a postal + service twice a week, and I was told that Count von Lira, whose name + was no secret in the village, sent messengers very often to Subiaco. + The post left that very day, and I wrote to Nino to tell him that I + had found his friends in villeggiatura at Fillettino, advising him to + come as soon as he could, and recruit his health and his spirits. +</p> +<p> + I learned, further, from the woman who rented me my lodging, that + there were other people in the castle besides the count and his + daughter. At least, she had seen a tall gentleman on the terrace with + them during the last two days; and it was not true that the count kept + Hedwig a prisoner. On the contrary, they rode out together almost + every day, and yesterday the tall gentleman had gone with them. The + woman also went into many details; telling me how much money the count + had spent in a fortnight, bringing furniture and a real piano and + immense loads of baskets, which the porters were told contained glass + and crockery, and must be carefully handled. It was clear that the + count was settled for some time. He had probably taken the old place + for a year, by a lease from the Roman family to whom Fillettino and + the neighbouring estates belong. He would spend the spring and the + summer there, at least. +</p> +<p> + Being anxious to see who the tall gentleman might be, of whom my + landlady had spoken, I posted myself in the street, at the foot of the + inclined bridle-path, leading to the castle gate. I walked up and down + for two hours, about the time I supposed they would all ride, hoping + to catch a glimpse of the party. Neither the count nor his daughter + knew me by sight, I was sure, and I felt quite safe. It was a long + time to wait, but at last they appeared, and I confess that I nearly + fell down against the wall when I saw them. +</p> +<p> + There they were on their horses, moving cautiously down the narrow + way above me. First came the count, sitting in his saddle as though + he were at the head of his old regiment, his great gray moustaches + standing out fiercely from his severe wooden face. Then came Hedwig, + whom I had not seen for a long time, looking as white and sorrowful + as the angel of death, in a close black dress, or habit, so that her + golden hair was all the colour there was to be seen about her. +</p> +<p> + But the third rider,—there was no mistaking that thin, erect figure, + dressed in the affectation of youth; those fresh pink cheeks, with the + snowy moustache, and the thick white hair showing beneath the jaunty + hat; the eagle nose and the bright eyes. Baron Benoni, and no other. +</p> +<p> + My first instinct was to hide myself; but before I could retreat + Benoni recognised me, even with my old clothes. Perhaps they are not + so much older than the others, compared with his fashionable garments. + He made no sign as the three rode by; only I could see by his eyes, + that were fixed angrily upon me, that he knew me, and did not wish to + show it. As for myself I stood stock still in amazement. +</p> +<p> + I had supposed that Benoni had really gone to Austria, as he had told + me he was about to do. I had thought him ignorant of the count's + retreat, save for the hint which had so luckily led me straight to the + mark. I had imagined him to be but a chance acquaintance of the Lira + family, having little or no personal interest in their doings. + Nevertheless, I had suspected him, as I have told you. Everything + pointed to a deception on his part. He had evidently gone immediately + from Rome to Fillettino. He must be intimate with the count, or the + latter would not have invited him to share a retreat seemingly + intended to be kept a secret. He also, I thought, must have some very + strong reason for consenting to bury himself in the mountains in + company with a father and daughter who could hardly be supposed to be + on good terms with each other. +</p> +<p> + But again, why had he seemed so ready to help me and to forward + Nino's suit? Why had he given me the smallest clue to the count's + whereabouts? Now I am not a strong man in action, but I am a very + cunning reasoner. I remembered the man, and the outrageous opinions + he had expressed, both to Nino and to me. Then I understood my + suspicions. It would be folly to expect such a man to have any real + sympathy or sense of friendship for anyone. He had amused himself by + promising to come back and go with me on my search, perhaps to make a + laughing-stock of me, or even of my boy, by telling the story to the + Liras afterwards. He had entertained no idea that I would go alone, or + that, if I went, I could be successful. He had made a mistake, and was + very angry; his eyes told me that. Then I made a bold resolution. I + would see him and ask him what he intended to do; in short, why he had + deceived me. +</p> +<p> + There would probably be no difficulty in the way of obtaining an + interview, I was not known to the others of the party, and Benoni + would scarcely refuse to receive me. I thought he would excuse + himself, with ready cynicism, and pretend to continue his offers of + friendship and assistance. I confess I regretted that I was so humbly + clad, in all my old clothes; but after all, I was travelling, you + know. +</p> +<p> + It was a bold resolution, I think, and I revolved the situation in my + mind during two days, thinking over what I should say. But with all my + thought I only found that everything must depend on Benoni's answer to + my own question—"Why?" +</p> +<p> + On the third day, I made myself look as fine as I could, and though my + heart beat loudly as I mounted the bridle-path, I put on a bold look + and rang the bell. It was a clanging thing, that seemed to creak on a + hinge, as I pulled the stout string from outside. A man appeared, and + on my inquiry said I might wait in the porch behind the great wooden + gate, while he delivered my message to his excellency the baron. It + seemed to take a long time, and I sat on a stone bench, eying the + courtyard curiously from beneath the archway. It was sunny and clean, + with an old well in the middle, but I could see nothing save a few + windows opening upon it. At last the man returned and said that I + might come with him. +</p> +<p> + I found Benoni, clad in a gorgeous dressing-gown, stalking up and down + a large vaulted apartment, in which there were a few new arm-chairs, a + table covered with books, and a quantity of ancient furniture that + looked unsteady and fragile, although it had been carefully dusted. A + plain green baize carpet covered about half the floor, and the + remainder was of red brick. The morning sun streamed in through tall + windows, and played in a rainbow-like effulgence on the baron's + many-coloured dressing-gown, as he paused in his walk to greet me. +</p> +<p> + "Well, my friend," said Benoni, gaily, "how in the name of the devil + did you get here?" I thought I had been right; he was going to play at + being my friend again. +</p> +<p> + "Very easily, by the help of your little hint," I replied, and I + seated myself, for I felt that I was master of the situation. +</p> +<p> + "Ah, if I had suspected you of being so intelligent, I would not have + given you any hint at all. You see I have not been to Austria on + business, but am here in this good old flesh of mine, such as it is." +</p> +<p> + "Consequently—" I began, and then stopped. I suddenly felt that + Benoni had turned the tables upon me, I could not tell how. +</p> +<p> + "Consequently," said he, continuing my sentence, "when I told you that + I was going to Austria I was lying." +</p> +<p> + "The frankness of the statement obliges me to believe that you are now + telling the truth," I answered, angrily. I felt uneasy. Benoni laughed + in his peculiar way. +</p> +<p> + "Precisely," he continued again, "I was lying. I generally do, for so + long as I am believed I deceive people; and when they find me out, + they are confused between truth and lying, so that they do not know + what to believe at all. By the by, I am wandering, I am sorry to see + you here. I hope you understand that." He looked at me with the most + cheerful expression. I believe I was beginning to be angry at his + insulting calmness. I did not answer him. +</p> +<p> + "Signor Grandi," he said in a moment, seeing I was silent, "I am + enchanted to see you, if you prefer that I should be. But may I + imagine if I can do anything more for you, now that you have heard + from my own lips that I am a liar? I say it again,—I like the + word,—I am a liar, and I wish I were a better one. What can I do for + you?" +</p> +<p> + "Tell me why you have acted this comedy," said I, recollecting at the + right moment the gist of my reflections during the past two days. +</p> +<p> + "Why? To please myself, good sir; for the sovereign; pleasure of + myself." +</p> +<p> + "I would surmise," I retorted tartly, "that it could not have been for + the pleasure of anyone else." +</p> +<p> + "Perhaps you mean, because no one else could be base enough to take + pleasure in what amuses me?" I nodded savagely at his question. "Very + good. Knowing this of me, do you further surmise that I should be so + simple as to tell you how I propose to amuse myself in the future?" + I recognised the truth of this, and I saw myself checkmated at the + outset. I therefore smiled, and endeavoured to seem completely + satisfied, hoping that his vanity would betray him into some hint of + the future. He seemed to have before taken pleasure in misleading me + with a fragment of truth, supposing that I could not make use of it. + I would endeavour to lead him into such a trap again. +</p> +<p> + "It is a beautiful country, is it not?" I remarked, going to the + window before which he stood, and looking out. "You must enjoy it + greatly, after the turmoil of society." You see, I was once as gay as + any of them, in the old days; and so I made the reflection that seemed + natural to his case, wondering how he would answer. +</p> +<p> + "It is indeed a very passable landscape," he said, indifferently. + "With horses and a charming companion one may kill a little time here, + and find a satisfaction in killing it." I noticed the slip, by which + he spoke of a single companion instead of two. +</p> +<p> + "Yes," I replied, "the count is said to be a most agreeable man." +</p> +<p> + He paused a moment, and the hesitation seemed to show that the count + was not the companion he had in his mind. +</p> +<p> + "Oh, certainly," he said at length, "the count is very agreeable, and + his daughter is the paragon of all the virtues and accomplishments." + There was something a little disparaging in his tone as he made the + last remark, which seemed to me a clumsy device to throw me off the + scent, if scent there were. Considering his surpassing personal + vanity, of which I had received an ocular demonstration when he + visited me in Rome, I fancied that if there were nothing more serious + in his thoughts he would have given me to understand that Hedwig found + him entirely irresistible. Since he was able to control his vanity, + there must be a reason for it. +</p> +<p> + "I should think that the contessina must be charmed at having so + brilliant a companion as yourself in her solitude," I said, feeling my + way to the point. +</p> +<p> + "With me? I am an old man. Children of that age detest old men." I + thought his manner constrained, and it was unlike him not to laugh as + he made the speech. The conviction grew upon me that Hedwig was the + object of his visit. Moreover, I became persuaded that he was but a + poor sort of villain, for he was impulsive, as villains should never + be. We leaned over the stone sill of the window, which he had opened + during the conversation. There was a little trail of ants climbing up + and down the wall at the side, and he watched them. One of the small + creatures, heavily laden with a seed of some sort, and toiling + painfully under the burden, had been separated from the rest, and + clambered over the edge of the window-sill. On reaching the level + surface it paused, as though very weary, and looked about, moving its + tiny horns. Benoni looked at it a moment, and then with one finger he + suddenly whisked the poor little thing into space. It hurt me to see + it, and I knew he must be cruel, for he laughed aloud. Somehow it + would have seemed less cruel to have brushed away the whole trail of + insects, rather than to pitch upon this one small tired workman, + overladen and forgotten by the rest. +</p> +<p> + "Why did you do that?" I asked involuntarily. +</p> +<p> + "Why? Why do I do anything? Because I please, the best of all + reasons." +</p> +<p> + "Of course; it was foolish of me to ask you. That is probably the + cause of your presence here. You would like to hurl my boy Nino from + the height he has reached in his love, and to satisfy your cruel + instincts you have come here to attack the heart of an innocent girl." + I watched him narrowly, and I have often wondered how I had the + courage to insult him. It was a bold shot at the truth, and his look + satisfied me that I was not very wide of the mark. To accuse a + gray-haired old man of attempting to win the affections of a young + girl would seem absurd enough. But if you had ever seen Benoni, you + would understand that he was anything but old, save for his snowy + locks. Many a boy might envy the strange activity of his thin limbs, + the bloom and freshness of his eager face, and the fire of his eyes. + He was impulsive, too; for instead of laughing at the absurdity of + the thing, or at what should have been its absurdity, as a more + accomplished villain would have done, he was palpably angry. He looked + quickly at me and moved savagely, so that I drew back, and it was not + till some moments later that it occurred to him that he ought to seem + amused. +</p> +<p> + "How ridiculous!" he cried at last, mastering his anger. "You are + joking." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, of course I am joking," I answered, leaving the window. "And now + I must wish you good-morning, with many apologies for my intrusion." + He must have been glad to be rid of me, but he politely insisted on + showing me to the gate. Perhaps he wanted to be sure that I should not + ask questions of the servants. As we passed through an outer hall we + came suddenly upon Hedwig entering from the opposite direction, + dressed in black, and looking like a beautiful shadow of pain. As I + have told you, she did not know me. Benoni bowed to the ground as she + went by, making some flattering speech about her appearance. She had + started slightly on first seeing us, and then she went on without + speaking; but there was on her face a look of such sovereign scorn and + loathing as I never saw on the features of any living being. And more + than scorn, for there was fear and hatred with it: so that if a glance + could tell a whole history, there would have been no detail of her + feeling for Benoni left to guess. +</p> +<p> + This meeting produced a profound impression on me, and I saw her face + in my dreams that night. Had anything been wanting to complete, in my + judgment, the plan of the situation in the castle, that something was + now supplied. The Jew had come there to get her for himself. She hated + him for his own sake; she hated him because she was faithful to Nino; + she hated him because he perhaps knew of her secret love for my boy. + Poor maiden, shut up for days and weeks to come with a man she dreaded + and scorned at once! The sight of her recalled to me that I had in my + pocket the letter Nino had sent me for her, weeks before, and which I + had found no means of delivering since I had been in Fillettino. + Suddenly I was seized with a mad determination to deliver it at any + cost. The baron bowed me out of the gate, and I paused outside when + the ponderous door had swung on its hinges and his footsteps were + echoing back through the court. +</p> +<p> + I sat down on the parapet of the bridle-path, and with my knife cut + some of the stitches that sewed my money between my two waistcoats. I + took out one of the bills of a hundred francs that were concealed + within, I found the letter Nino had sent me for Hedwig, and I once + more rang the bell. The man who had admitted me came again, and looked + at me in some astonishment. But I gave him no time to question me. +</p> +<p> + "Here is a note for a hundred francs," I said. "Take it, and give this + letter to the Signora Contessina. If you bring me a written answer + here to-morrow at this hour I will give you as much more." The man was + dumfounded for a moment, after which he clutched the money and the + letter greedily, and hid them in his coat. +</p> +<p> + "Your excellency shall be punctually obeyed," he said, with a deep + bow, and I went away. +</p> +<p> + It was recklessly extravagant of me to do this, but there was no other + course. A small bribe would have been worse than none at all. If you + can afford to pay largely it is better to bribe a servant than to + trust a friend. Your friend has nothing to gain by keeping your + secret, whereas the servant hopes for more money in the future, and + the prospect of profit makes him as silent as the grave. +</p> +<p> + I would certainly not have acted as I did had I not met Hedwig in the + hall. But the sight of her pale face and heavy eyes went to my heart, + and I would have given the whole of my little fortune to bring some + gladness to her, even though I might not see it. The situation, too, + was so novel and alarming that I felt obliged to act quickly, not + knowing what evils delay might produce. +</p> +<p> + On the following morning I went up to the gateway again and rang the + bell. The same man appeared. He slipped a note into my hand, and I + slipped a bill into his. But, to my surprise, he did not shut the door + and retire. +</p> +<p> + "The signorina said your excellency should read the note, and I + should accompany you," he said; and I saw he had his hat in his hand + as if ready to go. I tore open the note. It merely said that the + servant was trustworthy, and would "instruct the Signor Grandi" how to + act. +</p> +<p> + "You told the contessina my name, then?" I said to the man. He had + announced me to the baron, and consequently knew who I was. He nodded, + closed the door behind him, and came with me. When we were in the + street he explained that Hedwig desired to speak with me. He expounded + the fact that there was a staircase in the rock, leading to the level + of the town. Furthermore, he said that the old count and the baron + occasionally drank deeply, as soldiers and adventurers will do, to + pass the evening. The next time it occurred he, the faithful servant, + would come to my lodging and conduct me into the castle by the + aforesaid passage, of which he had the key. +</p> +<p> + I confess I was unpleasantly alarmed at the prospect of making a + burglarious entrance in such romantic fashion. It savoured more of the + last century than of the quiet and eminently respectable age in which + we live. But then, the castle of Fillettino was built hundreds of + years ago, and it is not my fault if it has not gone to ruin, like so + many others of its kind. The man recommended me to be always at home + after eight o'clock in the evening in case I were wanted, and to avoid + seeing the baron when he was abroad. He came and saw where I lived, + and with many bows he left me. +</p> +<p> + You may imagine in what anxiety I passed my time. A whole week + elapsed, and yet I was never summoned. Every evening at seven, an hour + before the time named, I was in my room waiting for someone who never + came. I was so much disturbed in mind that I lost my appetite and + thought of being bled again. But I thought it too soon, and contented + myself with getting a little tamarind from the apothecary. +</p> +<p> + One morning the apothecary, who is also the postmaster, gave me a + letter from Nino, dated in Rome. His engagement was over, he had + reached Rome, and he would join me immediately. +</p> +<a name="chapter_15"></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h3> + CHAPTER XV +</h3> +<p> + As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events + which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to + stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the + very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the + contessina. +</p> +<p> + When the man came to call me I was sitting in my room, from force of + habit, though the long delay had made the possibility of the meeting + seem shadowy. I was hoping that Nino might arrive in time to go in my + place, for I knew that he would not be many hours behind his letter. + He would assuredly travel as fast as he could, and if he had + understood my directions he was not likely to go astray. But in spite + of my hopes the summons came too soon, and I was obliged to go myself. +</p> +<p> + Picture to yourselves how I looked and how I felt: a sober old + professor, as I am, stealing out in the night, all wrapped in a cloak + as dark and shabby as any conspirator's; armed with a good knife in + case of accidents; with beating heart, and doubting whether I could + use my weapon if needful; and guided to the place of tryst by the + confidential servant of a beautiful and unhappy maiden. I have often + laughed since then at the figure I must have cut, but I did not laugh + at the time. It was a very serious affair. +</p> +<p> + We skirted the base of the huge rock on which the castle is built, and + reached the small, low door without meeting anyone. It was a moonlit + night,—the Paschal moon was nearly at the full,—and the whiteness + made each separate iron rivet in the door stand out distinct, thrown + into relief by its own small shadow on the seamed oak. My guide + produced a ponderous key, which screamed hoarsely in the lock under + the pressure of his two hands, as he made it turn in the rusty wards. + The noise frightened me, but the man laughed, and said they could not + hear where they sat, far up in the vaulted chamber, telling long + stories over their wine. We entered, and I had to mount a little way + up the dark steps to give him room to close the door behind us, by + which we were left in total darkness. I confess I was very nervous and + frightened until he lighted a taper which he had brought and made + enough light to show the way. The stairs were winding and steep, but + perfectly dry, and when he had passed me I followed him, feeling that + at all events the door behind was closed, and there was someone + between me and any danger ahead. +</p> +<p> + The man paused in front of me, and when I had rounded the corner of + the winding steps I saw that a brighter light than ours shone from a + small doorway opening directly upon the stair. In another moment I was + in the presence of Hedwig von Lira. The man retired and left us. +</p> +<p> + She stood, dressed in black, against the rough stone; the strong light + of a gorgeous gilt lamp that was placed on the floor streamed upward + on her white face. Her eyes caught the brightness, and seemed to burn + like deep, dark gems, though they appeared so blue in the day. She + looked like a person tortured past endurance, so that the pain of + the soul has taken shape, and the agony of the heart has assumed + substance. Tears shed had hollowed the marble cheeks, and the stronger + suffering that cannot weep had chiselled out great shadows beneath her + brows. Her thin clasped hands seemed wringing each other into strange + shapes of woe; and though she stood erect as a slender pillar against + the black rock, it was rather from the courage of despair than because + she was straight and tall by her own nature. +</p> +<p> + I bent low before her, awed by the extremity of suffering I saw. +</p> +<p> + "Are you Signor Grandi?" she asked, in a low and trembling voice. +</p> +<p> + "Most humbly at your service, Signora Contessina," I answered. She put + out her hand to me, and then drew it back quickly, with a timid + nervous look as I moved to take it. +</p> +<p> + "I never saw you," she said, "but I feel as though you <i>must</i> be a + friend—" She paused. +</p> +<p> + "Indeed, signorina, I am here for that reason," said I, trying to + speak stoutly, and so to inspire her with some courage. "Tell me how I + can best serve you; and though I am not young and strong like Nino + Cardegna, my boy, I am not so old but that I can do whatsoever you + command." +</p> +<p> + "Then in God's name, save me from this—" But again the sentence died + upon her lips, and she glanced anxiously at the door. I reflected that + if anyone came we should be caught like mice in a trap, and I made as + though I would look out upon the stairs. But she stopped me. +</p> +<p> + "I am foolishly frightened," she said. "That man is faithful, and + will keep watch." I thought it time to discover her wishes. +</p> +<p> + "Signorina," said I, "you ask me to save you. You do not say from + what. I can at least tell you that Nino Cardegna will be here in a day + or two—" At this sudden news she gave a little cry, and the blood + rushed to her cheeks, in strange contrast with their deathly + whiteness. She seemed on the point of speaking, but checked herself, + and her eyes, that had looked me through and through a moment before, + drooped modestly under my glance. +</p> +<p> + "Is it possible?" she said at last, in a changed voice. "Yes, if he + comes, I think the Signor Cardegna will help me." +</p> +<p> + "Madam," I said, very courteously, for I guessed her embarrassment, + "I can assure you that my boy is ready to give you his life in return + for the kindness he received at your hands in Rome." She looked up, + smiling through her tears, for the sudden happiness had moistened the + drooping lids. +</p> +<p> + "You are very kind, Signor Grandi. Signor Cardegna is, I believe, a + good friend of mine. You say he will be here?" +</p> +<p> + "I received a letter from him to-day, dated in Rome, in which he tells + me that he will start immediately. He may be here to-morrow morning," + I answered. Hedwig had regained her composure, perhaps because she + was reassured by my manner of speaking about Nino. I, however, was + anxious to hear from her own lips some confirmation of my suspicions + concerning the baron. "I have no doubt," I continued presently, "that, + with your consent, my boy will be able to deliver you from this + prison—" I used the word at a venture. Had Hedwig suffered less, and + been less cruelly tormented, she would have rebuked me for the + expression. But I recalled her to her position, and her self-control + gave way at once. +</p> +<p> + "Oh, you are right to call it a prison!" she cried. "It is as much a + prison as this chamber hewed out of the rock, where so many a wretch + has languished hopelessly; a prison from which I am daily taken out + into the sweet sun, to breathe and be kept alive, and to taste how + joyful a thing liberty must be! And every day I am brought back, and + told that I may be free if I will consent. Consent! God of mercy!" she + moaned, in a sudden tempest of passionate despair. "Consent ever to + belong, body—and soul—to be touched, polluted, desecrated, by that + inhuman monster; sold to him, to a creature without pity, whose heart + is a toad, a venomous creeping thing—sold to him for this life, and + to the vengeance of God hereafter; bartered, traded, and told that I + am so vile and lost that the very price I am offered is an honour to + me, being so much more than my value." She came toward me as she + spoke, and the passionate, unshed tears that were in her seemed to + choke her, so that her voice was hoarse. +</p> +<p> + "And for what—for what?" she cried, wildly, seizing my arm and + looking fiercely into my eyes. "For what, I say? Because I gave him a + poor rose; because I let him see me once; because I loved his sweet + voice; because—because—I love him, and will love him, and do love + him, though I die!" +</p> +<p> + The girl was in a frenzy of passion and love and hate all together, + and did not count her words. The white heat of her tormented soul + blazed from her pale face and illuminated every feature, though she + was turned from the light, and she shook my arm in her grasp so that + it pained me. The marble was burnt in the fire, and must consume + itself to ashes. The white and calm statue was become a pillar of + flame in the life-and-death struggle for love. I strove to speak, but + could not, for fear and wonder tied my tongue. And indeed she gave me + short time to think. +</p> +<p> + "I tell you I love him, as he loves me," she continued, her voice + trembling upon the rising cadence, "with all my whole being. Tell him + so. Tell him he must save me, and that only he can: that for his sake + I am tortured, and scorned, and disgraced, and sold; my body thrown to + dogs, and worse than dogs; my soul given over to devils that tempt me + to kill and be free,—by my own father, for his sake. Tell him that + these hands he kissed are wasted with wringing small pains from each + other, but the greater pain drives them to do worse. Tell him, good + sir,—you are kind and love him, but not as I do,—tell him that this + golden hair of mine has streaks of white in these terrible two months; + that these eyes he loved are worn with weeping. Tell him—" +</p> +<p> + But her voice failed her, and she staggered against the wall, hiding + her face in her hands. A trembling breath, a struggle, a great wild + sob: the long-sealed tears were free, and flowed fast over her hands. +</p> +<p> + "Oh, no, no," she moaned, "you must not tell him that." Then choking + down her agony she turned to me: "You will not—you cannot tell him of + this? I am weak, ill, but I will bear everything for—for him." The + great effort exhausted her, and I think that if I had not caught her + she would have fallen, and she would have hurt herself very much on + the stone floor. But she is young, and I am not very strong, and could + not have held her up. So I knelt, letting her weight come on my + shoulder. +</p> +<p> + The fair head rested pathetically against my old coat, and I tried to + wipe away her tears with her long golden hair; for I had not any + handkerchief. But very soon I could not see to do it. I was crying + myself, for the pity of it all, and my tears trickled down and fell on + her thin hands. And so I kneeled, and she half lay and half sat upon + the floor, with her head resting on my shoulder; I was glad then to be + old, for I felt that I had a right to comfort her. +</p> +<p> + Presently she looked up into my face, and saw that I was weeping. She + did not speak, but found her little lace handkerchief, and pressed it + to my eyes,—first to one, and then to the other; and the action + brought a faint maidenly flush to her cheeks through all her own + sorrow. A daughter could not have done it more kindly. +</p> +<p> + "My child," I said at last, "be sure that your secret is safe in me. + But there is one coming with whom it will be safer." +</p> +<p> + "You are so good," she said, and her head sank once more, and nestled + against my breast, so that I could just see the bright tresses through + my gray beard. But in a moment she looked up again, and made as though + she would rise; and then I helped her, and we both stood on our feet. +</p> +<p> + Poor, beautiful, tormented Hedwig! I can remember it, and call up the + whole picture to my mind. She still leaned on my arm, and looked up to + me, her loosened hair all falling back upon her shoulders; and the + wonderful lines of her delicate face seemed made ethereal and angelic + by her sufferings. +</p> +<p> + "My dear," I said at last, smoothing her golden hair with my hand, as + I thought her mother would do, if she had a mother,—"my dear, your + interview with my boy may be a short one, and you may not have an + opportunity to meet at all for days. If it does not pain you too + much, will you tell me just what your troubles are here? I can then + tell him, so that you can save time when you are together." She gazed + into my eyes for some seconds, as though to prove me, whether I were a + true man. +</p> +<p> + "I think you are right," she answered, taking courage. "I will tell + you in two words. My father treats me as though I had committed some + unpardonable crime, which I do not at all understand. He says my + reputation is ruined. Surely that is not true?" She asked the question + so innocently and simply that I smiled. +</p> +<p> + "No, my dear, it is not true," I replied. +</p> +<p> + "I am sure I cannot understand it," she continued; "but he says so, + and insists that my only course is to accept what he calls the + advantageous offer which has suddenly presented itself. He insists + very roughly." She shuddered slightly. "He gives me no peace. It + appears that this creature wrote to ask my father for my hand when we + left Rome two months ago. The letter was forwarded, and my father + began at once to tell me that I must make up my mind to the marriage. + At first I used to be very angry; but seeing we were alone, I finally + determined to seem indifferent, and not to answer him when he talked + about it. Then he thought my spirit was broken, and he sent for Baron + Benoni, who arrived a fortnight ago. Do you know him, Signor Grandi? + You came to see him, so I suppose you do?" The same look of hatred and + loathing came to her face that I had noticed when Benoni and I met her + in the hall. +</p> +<p> + "Yes, I know him. He is a traitor, a villain," I said earnestly. +</p> +<p> + "Yes, and more than that. But he is a great banker in Russia—" +</p> +<p> + "A banker?" I asked, in some astonishment. +</p> +<p> + "Did you not know it? Yes; he is very rich, and has a great firm, if + that is the name for it. But he wanders incessantly, and his partners + take care of his affairs. My father says that I shall marry him or end + my days here." +</p> +<p> + "Unless you end his for him!" I cried, indignantly. +</p> +<p> + "Hush!" said she, and trembled violently. "He is my father, you know," + she added, with sudden earnestness. +</p> +<p> + "But you cannot consent—" I began. +</p> +<p> + "Consent!" she interrupted with a bitter laugh. "I will die rather + than consent." +</p> +<p> + "I mean, you cannot consent to be shut up in this valley for ever." +</p> +<p> + "If need be, I will," she said, in a low voice. +</p> +<p> + "There is no need," I whispered. +</p> +<p> + "You do not know my father. He is a man of iron," she answered, + sorrowfully. +</p> +<p> + "You do not know my boy. He is a man of his word," I replied. +</p> +<p> + We were both silent, for we both knew very well what our words meant. + From such a situation there could be but one escape. +</p> +<p> + "I think you ought to go now," she said, at last. "If I were missed it + would all be over. But I am sorry to let you go, you are so kind. How + can you let me know—" She stopped, with a blush, and stooped to raise + the lamp from the floor. +</p> +<p> + "Can you not meet here to-morrow night, when they are asleep?" I + suggested, knowing what her question would have been. +</p> +<p> + "I will send the same man to you to-morrow evening, and let you know + what is possible," she said. "And now I will show you the way out of + my house," she added, with the first faint shadow of a smile. With the + slight gilt lamp in her hand she went out of the little rock chamber, + listened a moment, and began to descend the steps. +</p> +<p> + "But the key?" I asked, following her light footsteps with my heavier + tread. +</p> +<p> + "It is in the door," she answered, and went on. +</p> +<p> + When we reached the bottom we found it as she had said. The servant + had left the key on the inside, and with some difficulty I turned the + bolts. We stood for one moment in the narrow space, where the lowest + step was set close against the door. Her eyes flashed strangely in the + lamplight. +</p> +<p> + "How easy it would be!" I said, understanding her glance. She nodded, + and pushed me gently out into the street; and I closed the door, and + leaned against it as she locked it. +</p> +<p> + "Good-night," she said from the other side, and I put my mouth to the + key-hole. "Good-night. Courage!" I answered. I could hear her lightly + mounting the stone steps. It seemed wonderful to me that she should + not be afraid to go back alone. But love makes people brave. +</p> +<p> + The moon had risen higher during the time I had been within, and I + strolled round the base of the rock, lighting a cigar as I went. The + terrible adventure I had dreaded was now over, and I felt myself + again. In truth, it was a curious thing to happen to a man of my years + and my habits; but the things I had heard had so much absorbed my + attention that, while the interview lasted, I had forgotten the + strange manner of the meeting. I was horrified at the extent of the + girl's misery, more felt than understood from her brief description + and passionate outbreaks. There is no mistaking the strength of a + suffering that wastes and consumes the mortal part of us as wax melts + at the fire. +</p> +<p> + And Benoni—the villain! He had written to ask Hedwig in marriage + before he came to see me in Rome. There was something fiendish in his + almost inviting me to see his triumph, and I cursed him as I kicked + the loose stones in the road with my heavy shoes. So he was a banker, + as well as a musician and a wanderer. Who would have thought it? +</p> +<p> + "One thing is clear," I said to myself, as I went to bed: "unless + something is done immediately, that poor girl will consume herself and + die." And all that night her poor thin face and staring eyes were in + my dreams; so that I woke up several times, thinking I was trying to + comfort her, and could not. But toward dawn I felt sure that Nino was + coming, and that all would be well. +</p> +<p> + I was chatting with my old landlady the next morning, and smoking to + pass the time, when there was suddenly a commotion in the street. That + is to say, someone was arriving, and all the little children turned + out in a body to run after the stranger, while the old women came to + their doors with their knitting, and squinted under the bright + sunlight to see what was the matter. +</p> +<p> + It was Nino, of course—my own boy, riding on a stout mule, with a + countryman by his side upon another. He was dressed in plain gray + clothes, and wore high boots. His great felt hat drooped half across + his face, and hid his eyes from me; but there was no mistaking the + stern square jaw and the close even lips. I ran toward him and called + him by name. In a moment he was off his beast, and we embraced + tenderly. +</p> +<p> + "Have you seen her?" were the first words he spoke. I nodded, and + hurried him into the house where I lived, fearful lest some mischance + should bring the party from the castle riding by. He sent his man with + the mules to the inn, and when we were at last alone together he threw + himself into a chair, and took off his hat. +</p> +<p> + Nino too was changed in the two months that had passed. He had + travelled far, had sung lustily, and had been applauded to the skies; + and he had seen the great world. But there was more than all that in + his face. There were lines of care and of thought that well became his + masculine features. There was a something in his look that told of a + set purpose, and there was a light in his dark eyes that spoke a world + of warning to anyone who might dare to thwart him. But he seemed + thinner, and his cheeks were as white as the paper I write on. +</p> +<p> + Some men are born masters, and never once relax the authority they + exercise on those around them. Nino has always commanded me, as he + seems to command everybody else, in the fewest words possible. But he + is so true and honest and brave that all who know him love him; and + that is more than can be said for most artists. As he sat in his + chair, hesitating what question to ask first, or waiting for me to + speak, I thought that if Hedwig von Lira had searched the whole world + for a man able to deliver her from her cruel father and from her hated + lover she could have chosen no better champion than Nino Cardegna, the + singer. Of course you all say that I am infatuated with the boy, and + that I helped him to do a reckless thing, simply because I was blinded + by my fondness. But I maintain, and shall ever hold, that Nino did + right in this matter, and I am telling my story merely in order that + honest men may judge. +</p> +<p> + He sat by the window, and the sun poured through the panes upon his + curling hair, his travelling dress, and his dusty boots. The woman of + the house brought in some wine and water; but he only sipped the + water, and would not touch the wine. +</p> +<p> + "You are a dear, kind father to me," he said, putting out his hand + from where he sat, "and before we talk I must tell you how much I + thank you." Simple words, as they look on paper; but another man could + not have said so much in an hour as his voice and look told me. +</p> +<a name="chapter_16"></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h3> + CHAPTER XVI +</h3> +<p> + "Nino mio," I began, "I saw the contessina last night. She is in a + very dramatic and desperate situation. But she greets you, and looks + to you to save her from her troubles." Nino's face was calm, but his + voice trembled a little as he answered: +</p> +<p> + "Tell me quickly, please, what the troubles are." +</p> +<p> + "Softly—I will tell you all about it. You must know that your friend + Benoni is a traitor to you, and is here. Do not look astonished. He + has made up his mind to marry the contessina, and she says she will + die rather than take him, which is quite right of her." At the latter + piece of news Nino sprang from his chair. +</p> +<p> + "You do not seriously mean that her father is trying to make her marry + Benoni?" he cried. +</p> +<p> + "It is infamous, my dear boy; but it is true." +</p> +<p> + "Infamous! I should think you could find a stronger word. How did you + learn this?" I detailed the circumstances of our meeting on the + previous night. While I talked Nino listened with intense interest, + and his face changed its look from anger to pity, and from pity to + horror. When I had finished, he was silent. +</p> +<p> + "You can see for yourself," I said, "that the case is urgent." +</p> +<p> + "I will take her away," said Nino, at last. "It will be very + unpleasant for the count. He would have been wiser to allow her to + have her own way." +</p> +<p> + "Do nothing rash, Nino mio. Consider a little what the consequences + would be if you were caught in the act of violently carrying off the + daughter of a man as powerful as Von Lira." +</p> +<p> + "Bah! You talk of his power as though we lived under the Colonnesi and + the Orsini, instead of under a free monarchy. If I am once married to + her, what have I to fear? Do you think the count would go to law about + his daughter's reputation? Or do you suppose he would try to murder + me?" +</p> +<p> + "I would do both, in his place," I answered. "But perhaps you are + right, and he will yield when he sees that he is outwitted. Think + again, and suppose that the contessina herself objects to such a + step." +</p> +<p> + "That is a different matter. She shall do nothing save by her own free + will. You do not imagine I would try to take her away unless she were + willing?" He sat down again beside me, and affectionately laid one + hand on my shoulder. +</p> +<p> + "Women, Nino, are women," I remarked. +</p> +<p> + "Unless they are angels," he assented. +</p> +<p> + "Keep the angels for Paradise, and beware of taking them into + consideration in this working-day world. I have often told you, my + boy, that I am older than you." +</p> +<p> + "As if I doubted that!" he laughed. +</p> +<p> + "Very well. I know something about women. A hundred women will tell + you that they are ready to flee with you; but not more than one in the + hundred will really leave everything and follow you to the end of the + world when the moment comes for running away. They always make a fuss + at the last and say it is too dangerous, and you may be caught. That + is the way of them. You will be quite ready with a ladder of ropes, + like one of Boccaccio's men, and a roll of banknotes for the journey, + and smelling-salts, and a cushion for the puppy dog, and a separate + conveyance for the maid, just according to the directions she has + given you; then, at the very last, she will perhaps say that she is + afraid of hurting her father's feelings by leaving him without any + warning. Be careful, Nino!" +</p> +<p> + "As for that," he answered, sullenly enough, "if she will not, she + will not; and I would not attempt to persuade her against her + inclination. But unless you have very much exaggerated what you saw in + her face, she will be ready at five minutes' notice. It must be very + like hell up there in that castle, I should think." +</p> +<p> + "Messer Diavolo, who rules over the house, will not let his prey + escape him so easily as you think." +</p> +<p> + "Her father?" he asked. +</p> +<p> + "No; Benoni. There is no creature so relentless as an old man in + pursuit of a young woman." +</p> +<p> + "I am not afraid of Benoni." +</p> +<p> + "You need not be afraid of her father," said I, laughing. "He is lame, + and cannot run after you." I do not know why it is that we Romans + laugh at lame people; we are sorry for them, of course, as we are for + other cripples. +</p> +<p> + "There is something more than fear in the matter," said Nino, + seriously. "It is a great thing to have upon one's soul." +</p> +<p> + "What?" I asked. +</p> +<p> + "To take a daughter away from her father without his consent,—or at + least without consulting him. I would not like to do it." +</p> +<p> + "Do you mean to ask the old gentleman's consent before eloping with + his daughter? You are a little donkey, Nino, upon my word." +</p> +<p> + "Donkey, or anything else you like, but I will act like a galantuomo. + I will see the count, and ask him once more whether he is willing to + let his daughter marry me. If not, so much the worse; he will be + warned." +</p> +<p> + "Look here, Nino," I said, astonished at the idea. "I have taught you + a little logic. Suppose you meant to steal a horse instead of a woman. + Would you go to the owner of the horse, with your hat in your hand, + and say, 'I trust your worship will not be offended if I steal this + horse, which seems to be a good animal and pleases me'; and then would + you expect him to allow you to steal his horse?" +</p> +<p> + "Sor Cornelio, the case is not the same. Women have a right to be + free, and to marry whom they please; but horses are slaves. However, + as I am not a thief, I would certainly ask the man for the horse; and + if he refused it, and I conceived that I had a right to have it, I + would take it by force and not by stealth." +</p> +<p> + "It appears to me that if you meant to get possession of what was not + yours, you might as well get it in the easiest possible way," I + objected. "But we need not argue the case. There is a much better + reason why you should not consult the count." +</p> +<p> + "I do not believe it," said Nino, stubbornly. +</p> +<p> + "Nevertheless, it is so. The Contessina di Lira is desperately + unhappy, and if nothing is done she may die. Young women have died of + broken hearts before now. You have no right to endanger her life by + risking failure. Answer me that, if you can, and I will grant you are + a cunning sophist, but not a good lover." +</p> +<p> + "There is reason in what you say now," he answered. "I had not thought + of that desperateness of the case which you speak of. You have seen + her." He buried his face in his hand, and seemed to be thinking. +</p> +<p> + "Yes, I have seen her, and I wish you had been in my place. You would + think differently about asking her father's leave to rescue her." From + having been anxious to prevent anything rash, it seemed that I was now + urging him into the very jaws of danger. I think that Hedwig's face + was before me, as it had been in reality on the previous evening. "As + Curione said to Caesar, delay is injurious to anyone who is fully + prepared for action. I remember also to have read somewhere that such + waste of time in diplomacy and palavering is the favourite resource of + feeble and timid minds, who regard the use of dilatory and ambiguous + measures as an evidence of the most admirable and consummate + prudence." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, you need not use so much learning with me," said Nino. "I assure + you that I will be neither dilatory nor ambiguous. In fact, I will go + at once, without even dusting my boots, and I will say, Give me your + daughter, if you can; and if you cannot, I will still hope to marry + her. He will probably say 'No,' and then I will carry her off. It + appears to me that is simple enough." +</p> +<p> + "Take my advice, Nino. Carry her off first, and ask permission + afterwards. It is much better. The real master up there is Benoni, I + fancy, and not the count. Benoni is a gentleman who will give you much + trouble. If you go now to see Hedwig's father, Benoni will be present + at the interview." Nino was silent, and sat stretching his legs before + him, his head on his breast. "Benoni," I continued, "has made up his + mind to succeed. He has probably taken this fancy into his head out of + pure wickedness. Perhaps he is bored, and really wants a wife. But I + believe he is a man who delights in cruelty, and would as lief break + the contessina's heart by getting rid of you as by marrying her." I + saw that he was not listening. +</p> +<p> + "I have an idea," he said at last. "You are not very wise, Messer + Cornelio, and you counsel me to be prudent and to be rash in the same + breath." +</p> +<p> + "You make very pretty compliments, Sor Nino," I answered, tartly. He + put out his hand deprecatingly. +</p> +<p> + "You are as wise as any man can be who is not in love," he said, + looking at me with his great eyes. "But love is the best counsellor." +</p> +<p> + "What is your idea?" I asked, somewhat pacified. +</p> +<p> + "You say they ride together every day. Yes—very good. The contessina + will not ride to-day, partly because she will be worn out with fatigue + from last night's interview, and partly because she will make an + effort to discover whether I have arrived to-day or not. You can count + on that." +</p> +<p> + "I imagine so." +</p> +<p> + "Very well," he continued; "in that case, one or two things will + happen: either the count will go out alone, or they will all stay at + home." +</p> +<p> + "Why will Benoni not go out with the count?" +</p> +<p> + "Because Benoni will hope to see Hedwig alone if he stays at home, and + the count will be very glad to give him the opportunity." +</p> +<p> + "I think you are right, Nino. You are not so stupid as I thought." +</p> +<p> + "In war," continued the boy, "a general gains a great advantage by + separating his adversary's forces. If the count goes out alone, I will + present myself to him in the road, and tell him what I want." +</p> +<p> + "Now you are foolish again. You should, on the contrary, enter the + house when the count is away, and take the signorina with you then and + there. Before he could return you would be miles on the road to Rome." +</p> +<p> + "In the first place, I tell you once and for all, Sor Cornelio," he + said, slowly, "that such an action would be dishonourable, and I will + not do anything of the kind. Moreover, you forget that, if I followed + your advice, I should find Benoni at home,—the very man from whom you + think I have everything to fear. No; I must give the count one fair + chance." I was silent, for I saw he was determined, and yet I would + not let him think I was satisfied. +</p> +<p> + The idea of losing an advantage by giving an enemy any sort of warning + before the attack seemed to me novel in the extreme; but I comprehended + that Nino saw in his scheme a satisfaction to his conscience, and + smelled in it a musty odour of forgotten knight-errantry that he had + probably learned to love in his theatrical experiences. I had certainly + not expected that Nino Cardegna, the peasant child, would turn out to + be the pink of chivalry and the mirror of honour. But I could not help + admiring his courage, and wondering if it would not play him false at + the perilous moment. I did not half know him then, though he had been + with me for so many years. But I was very anxious to ascertain from + him what he meant to do, for I feared that his bold action would make + trouble, and I had visions of the count and Benoni together taking + sudden and summary vengeance on myself. +</p> +<p> + "Nino," I said, "I have made great sacrifices to help you in finding + these people,"—I would not tell him I had sold my vineyard to make + preparations for a longer journey, though he has since found it + out,—"but if you are going to do anything rash I will get on my + little ass and ride a few miles from the village until it is over." + Nino laughed aloud. +</p> +<p> + "My dear professor," he said, "do not be afraid. I will give you + plenty of time to get out of the way. Meanwhile, the contessina is + certain to send the confidential servant of whom you speak to give me + instructions. If I am not here, you ought to be, in order to receive + the message. Now listen to me." +</p> +<p> + I prepared to be attentive and to hear his scheme. I was by no means + expecting the plan he proposed. +</p> +<p> + "The count may take it into his head to ride at a different hour, if + he rides alone," he began. "I will therefore have my mule saddled now, + and will station my man—a countryman from Subiaco and good for any + devilry—in some place where he can watch the entrance to the house, + or the castle, or whatever you call this place. So soon as he sees the + count come out he will call me. As a man can ride in only one of two + directions in this valley, I shall have no trouble whatever in meeting + the old gentleman, even if I cannot overtake him with my mule." +</p> +<p> + "Have you any arms, Nino?" +</p> +<p> + "No. I do not want weapons to face an old man in broad daylight; and + he is too much of a soldier to attack me if I am defenceless. If the + servant comes after I am gone, you must remember every detail of what + he says, and you must also arrange a little matter with him. Here is + money, as much as will keep any Roman servant quiet. The man will be + rich before we have done with him. I will write a letter which he must + deliver; but he must also know what he has to do. +</p> +<p> + "At twelve o'clock to-night the contessina must positively be at the + door of the staircase by which you entered yesterday. <i>Positively</i>—do + you understand? She will then choose for herself between what she is + suffering now and flight with me. If she chooses to fly, my mules and + my countryman will be ready. The servant who admits me had better make + the best of his way to Rome, with the money he has got. There will be + difficulties in the way of getting the contessina to the staircase, + especially as the count will be in a towering passion with me, and + will not sleep much. But he will not have the smallest idea that I + shall act so suddenly, and he will fancy that when once his daughter + is safe within the walls for the night she will not think of escaping. + I do not believe he even knows of the existence of this staircase. At + all events, it appears, from your success in bribing the first man you + met, that the servants are devoted to her interests and their own and + not at all to those of her father." +</p> +<p> + "I cannot conceive, Nino," said I, "why you do not put this bold plan + into execution without seeing the count first, and making the whole + thing so dangerous. If he takes alarm in the night he will catch you + fast enough on his good horses before you are at Trevi." +</p> +<p> + "I am determined to act as I propose," said Nino, "because it is a + thousand times more honourable, and because I am certain that the + contessina would not have me act otherwise. She will also see for + herself that flight is best; for I am sure the count will make a scene + of some kind when he comes home from meeting me. If she knows she can + escape to-night she will not suffer from what he has to say; but she + will understand that without the prospect of freedom she would suffer + very much." +</p> +<p> + "Where did you learn to understand women, my boy?" I asked. +</p> +<p> + "I do not understand women in general," he answered, "but I + understand very well the only woman who exists for me personally. I + know that she is the soul of honour, and that at the same time she has + enough common sense to perceive the circumstances of the situation." +</p> +<p> + "But how will you make sure of not being overtaken?" I objected, + making a last feeble stand against his plan. +</p> +<p> + "That is simple enough. My countryman from Subiaco knows every inch of + these hills. He says that the pass above Fillettino is impracticable + for any animals save men, mules, and donkeys. A horse would roll down + at every turn. My mules are the best of their kind, and there are none + like them here. By sunrise I shall be over the Serra and well on the + way to Ceprano, or whatever place I may choose for joining the + railroad." +</p> +<p> + "And I? Will you leave me here to be murdered by that Prussian devil?" + I asked, in some alarm. +</p> +<p> + "Why, no, padre mio. If you like, you can start for Rome at sunset, or + as soon as I return from meeting the count; or you can get on your + donkey and go up the pass, where we shall overtake you. Nobody will + harm you, in your disguise, and your donkey is even more surefooted + than my mules. It will be a bright night, too, for the moon is full." +</p> +<p> + "Well, well, Nino," said I at last, "I suppose you will have your own + way, as you always do in the world. And if it must be so, I will go up + the pass alone, for I am not afraid at all. It would be against all + the proprieties that you should be riding through a wild country alone + at night with the young lady you intend to marry; and if I go with you + there will be nothing to be said, for I am a very proper person, and + hold a responsible position in Rome. But for charity's sake, do not + undertake anything of this kind again—" +</p> +<p> + "Again?" exclaimed Nino, in surprise. "Do you expect me to spend my + life in getting married,—not to say in eloping?" +</p> +<p> + "Well, I trust that you will have enough of it this time." +</p> +<p> + "I cannot conceive that when a man has once married the woman he loves + he should ever look at another," said Nino, gravely. +</p> +<p> + "You are a most blessed fellow," I exclaimed. +</p> +<p> + Nino found my writing materials, which consisted of a bad steel pen, + some coarse ruled paper, and a wretched little saucer of ink, and + began writing an epistle to the contessina. I watched him as he wrote, + and I smoked a little to pass the time. As I looked at him I came to + the conclusion that to-day, at least, he was handsome. His thick hair + curled about his head, and his white skin was as pale and clear as + milk. I thought that his complexion had grown less dark than it used + to be, perhaps from being so much in the theatre at night. That takes + the dark blood out of the cheeks. But any woman would have looked + twice at him. Besides, there was, as there is now, a certain + marvellous neatness and spotlessness about his dress; but for his + dusty boots you would not have guessed he had been travelling. Poor + Nino. When he had not a penny in the world but what he earned by + copying music, he used to spend it all with the washerwoman, so that + Mariuccia was often horrified, and I reproved him for the + extravagance. +</p> +<p> + At last he finished writing, and put his letter into the only envelope + there was left. He gave it to me, and said he would go out and order + his mules to be ready. +</p> +<p> + "I may be gone all day," he said, "and I may return in a few hours. I + cannot tell. In any case, wait for me, and give the letter and all + instructions to the man, if he comes." Then he thanked me once more + very affectionately, and having embraced me he went out. +</p> +<p> + I watched him from the window, and he looked up and waved his hand. I + remember it very distinctly—just how he looked. His face was paler + than ever, his lips were close set, though they smiled, and his eyes + were sad. He is an incomprehensible boy—he always was. +</p> +<p> + I was left alone, with plenty of time for meditation, and I assure you + my reflections were not pleasant. O love, love, what madness you drive + us into, by day and night! Surely it is better to be a sober professor + of philosophy than to be in love, ever so wildly, or sorrowfully, or + happily. I do not wonder that a parcel of idiots have tried to prove + that Dante loved philosophy and called it Beatrice. He would have been + a sober professor, if that were true, and a happier man. But I am sure + it is not true, for I was once in love myself. +</p> +<a name="chapter_17"></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h3> + CHAPTER XVII +</h3> +<p> + It fell out as Nino had anticipated, and when he told me all the + details, some time afterwards, it struck me that he had shown an + uncommon degree of intelligence in predicting that the old count would + ride alone that day. He had, indeed, so made his arrangements that + even if the whole party had come out together nothing worse would have + occurred than a postponement of the interview he sought. But he was + destined to get what he wanted that very day, namely, an opportunity + of speaking with Von Lira alone. +</p> +<p> + It was twelve o'clock when he left me, and the mid-day bell was + ringing from the church, while the people bustled about getting their + food. Every old woman had a piece of corn cake, and the ragged + children got what they could, gathering the crumbs in their mothers' + aprons. A few rough fellows who were not away at work in the valley + munched the maize bread with a leek and a bit of salt fish, and some + of them had oil on it. Our mountain people eat scarcely anything else, + unless it be a little meat on holidays, or an egg when the hens are + laying. But they laugh and chatter over the coarse fare, and drink a + little wine when they can get it. Just now, however, was the season + for fasting, being the end of Holy Week, and the people made a virtue + of necessity, and kept their eggs and their wine for Easter. +</p> +<p> + When Nino went out he found his countryman, and explained to him what + he was to do. The man saddled one of the mules and put himself on the + watch, while Nino sat by the fire in the quaint old inn and ate some + bread. It was the end of March when these things happened, and a + little fire was grateful, though one could do very well without it. He + spread his hands to the flame of the sticks, as he sat on the wooden + settle by the old hearth, and he slowly gnawed his corn cake, as + though a week before he had not been a great man in Paris, dining + sumptuously with famous people. He was not thinking of that. He was + looking in the flame for a fair face that he saw continually before + him, day and night. He expected to wait a long time,—some hours, + perhaps. +</p> +<p> + Twenty minutes had not elapsed, however, before his man came + breathless through the door, calling to him to come at once; for the + solitary rider had gone out, as was expected, and at a pace that would + soon take him out of sight. Nino threw his corn bread to a hungry dog + that yelped as it hit him, and then fastened on it like a beast of + prey. +</p> +<p> + In the twinkling of an eye he and his man were out of the inn. As + they ran to the place where the mule was tied to an old ring in the + crumbling wall of a half-ruined house near to the ascent to the + castle, the man told Nino that the fine gentleman had ridden toward + Trevi, down the valley, Nino mounted, and hastened in the same + direction. +</p> +<p> + As he rode he reflected that it would be wiser to meet the count on + his return, and pass him after the interview, as though going away + from Fillettino. It would be a little harder for the mule; but such + an animal, used to bearing enormous burdens for twelve hours at a + stretch, could well carry Nino only a few miles of good road before + sunset, and yet be fresh again by midnight. One of those great sleek + mules, if good-tempered, will tire three horses, and never feel the + worse for it. He therefore let the beast go her own pace along the + road to Trevi, winding by the brink of the rushing torrent: sometimes + beneath great overhanging cliffs, sometimes through bits of cultivated + land, where the valley widens; and now and then passing under some + beech-trees, still naked and skeleton-like in the bright March air. +</p> +<p> + But Nino rode many miles, as he thought, without meeting the count, + dangling his feet out of the stirrups, and humming snatches of song to + himself to pass the time. He looked at his watch,—a beautiful gold + one, given him by a very great personage in Paris,—and it was + half-past two o'clock. Then, to avoid tiring his mule, he got off and + sat by a tree, at a place where he could see far along the road. But + three o'clock came, and a quarter past, and he began to fear that the + count had gone all the way to Trevi. Indeed, Trevi could not be very + far off, he thought. So he mounted again, and paced down the valley. + He says that in all that time he never thought once of what he should + say to the count when he met him, having determined in his mind once + and for all what was to be asked; to which the only answer must be + "yes" or "no." +</p> +<p> + At last, before he reached the turn in the valley, and just as the sun + was passing down behind the high mountains on the left, beyond the + stream, he saw the man he had come out to meet, not a hundred yards + away, riding toward him on his great horse, at a foot pace. It was the + count, and he seemed lost in thought, for his head was bent on his + breast, and the reins hung carelessly loose from his hand. He did not + raise his eyes until he was close to Nino, who took off his hat and + pulled up short. +</p> +<p> + The old count was evidently very much surprised, for he suddenly + straightened himself in his saddle, with a sort of jerk, and glared + savagely at Nino; his wooden features appearing to lose colour, and + his long moustache standing out and bristling. He also reined in his + horse, and the pair sat on their beasts, not five yards apart, eying + each other like a pair of duelists. Nino was the first to speak, for + he was prepared. +</p> +<p> + "Good day, Signor Conte," he said, as calmly as he could. "You have + not forgotten me, I am sure." Lira looked more and more amazed as he + observed the cool courtesy with which he was accosted. But his polite + manner did not desert him even then, for he raised his hat. +</p> +<p> + "Good-day," he said, briefly, and made his horse move on. He was too + proud to put the animal to a brisker pace than a walk, lest he should + seem to avoid an enemy. But Nino turned his mule at the same time. +</p> +<p> + "Pardon the liberty, sir," he said, "but I would take advantage of + this opportunity to have a few words with you." +</p> +<p> + "It is a liberty, as you say, sir," replied Lira, stiffly, and looking + straight before him. "But since you have met me, say what you have to + say quickly." He talked in the same curious constructions as formerly, + but I will spare you the grammatical vagaries. +</p> +<p> + "Some time has elapsed," continued Nino, "since our unfortunate + encounter. I have been in Paris, where I have had more than common + success in my profession. From being a very poor teacher of Italian to + the signorina, your daughter, I am become an exceedingly prosperous + artist. My character is blameless and free from all stain, in spite + of the sad business in which we were both concerned, and of which you + knew the truth from the dead lady's own lips." +</p> +<p> + "What then?" growled Lira, who had listened grimly, and was fast + losing his temper. "What then? Do you suppose, Signor Cardegna, that + I am still interested in your comings and goings?" +</p> +<p> + "The sequel to what I have told you, sir," answered Nino, bowing + again, and looking very grave, "is that I once more most respectfully + and honestly ask you to give me the hand of your daughter, the + Signorina Hedwig von Lira." +</p> +<p> + The hot blood flushed the old soldier's hard features to the roots of + his gray hair, and his voice trembled as he answered: +</p> +<p> + "Do you intend to insult me, sir? If so, this quiet road is a + favourable spot for settling the question. It shall never be said that + an officer in the service of his majesty the King and Emperor refused + to fight with anyone,—with his tailor, if need be." He reined his + horse from Nino's side, and eyed him fiercely. +</p> +<p> + "Signor Conte," answered Nino, calmly, "nothing could be further from + my thoughts than to insult you, or to treat you in any way with + disrespect. And I will not acknowledge that anything you can say can + convey an insult to myself." Lira smiled in a sardonic fashion. "But," + added Nino, "if it would give you any pleasure to fight, and if you + have weapons, I shall be happy to oblige you. It is a quiet spot, as + you say, and it shall never be said that an Italian artist refused to + fight a German soldier." +</p> +<p> + "I have two pistols in my holsters," said Lira, with a smile. "The + roads are not safe, and I always carry them." +</p> +<p> + "Then, sir, be good enough to select one and to give me the other, + and we will at once proceed to business." +</p> +<p> + The count's manner changed. He looked grave. +</p> +<p> + "I have the pistols, Signor Cardegna, but I do not desire to use them. + Your readiness satisfies me that you are in earnest, and we will + therefore not fight for amusement. I need not defend myself from any + charge of unwillingness, I believe," he added, proudly. +</p> +<p> + "In that case, sir," said Nino, "and since we have convinced each + other that we are serious and desire to be courteous, let us converse + calmly." +</p> +<p> + "Have you anything more to say?" asked the count, once more allowing + his horse to pace along the dusty road, while Nino's mule walked by + his side. +</p> +<p> + "I have this to say, Signor Conte," answered Nino: "that I shall not + desist from desiring the honour of marrying your daughter, if you + refuse me a hundred times. I wish to put it to you whether with youth, + some talent,—I speak modestly,—and the prospect of a plentiful + income, I am not as well qualified to aspire to the alliance as Baron + Benoni, who has old age, much talent, an enormous fortune, and the + benefit of the Jewish faith into the bargain." +</p> +<p> + The count winced palpably at the mention of Benoni's religion. No + people are more insanely prejudiced against the Hebrew race than the + Germans. They indeed maintain that they have greater cause than + others, but it always appears to me that they are unreasonable about + it. Benoni chanced to be a Jew, but his peculiarities would have been + the same had he been a Christian or an American. There is only one + Ahasuerus Benoni in the world. +</p> +<p> + "There is no question of Baron Benoni here," said the count severely, + but hurriedly. "Your observations are beside the mark. The objections + to the alliance, as you call it, are that you are a man of the + people,—I do not desire to offend you,—a plebeian, in fact; you are + also a man of uncertain fortune, like all singers: and lastly, you are + an artist. I trust you will consider these points as a sufficient + reason for my declining the honour you propose." +</p> +<p> + "I will only say," returned Nino, "that I venture to consider your + reasons insufficient, though I do not question your decision. Baron + Benoni was ennobled for a loan made to a Government in difficulties; + he was, by his own account, a shoemaker by early occupation, and a + strolling musician—a great artist if you like—by the profession he + adopted." +</p> +<p> + "I never heard these facts," said Lira, "and I suspect that you have + been misinformed. But I do not wish to continue the discussion of the + subject." +</p> +<p> + Nino says that after the incident of the pistols the interview passed + without the slightest approach to ill-temper on either side. They both + felt that if they disagreed they were prepared to settle their + difficulties then and there, without any further ado. +</p> +<p> + "Then, sir, before we part, permit me to call your attention to a + matter which must be of importance to you," said Nino. "I refer to the + happiness of the Signorina di Lira. In spite of your refusal of my + offer, you will understand that the welfare of that lady must always + be to me of the greatest importance." +</p> +<p> + Lira bowed his head stiffly, and seemed inclined to speak, but changed + his mind, and held his tongue, to see what Nino would say. +</p> +<p> + "You will comprehend, I am sure," continued the latter, "that in the + course of those months, during which I was so far honoured as to be + of service to the contessina, I had opportunities of observing her + remarkably gifted intelligence. I am now credibly informed that she is + suffering from ill health. I have not seen her, nor made any attempt + to see her, as you might have supposed, but I have an acquaintance in + Fillettino who has seen her pass his door daily. Allow me to remark + that a mind of such rare qualities must grow sick if driven to feed + upon itself in solitude. I would respectfully suggest that some gayer + residence than Fillettino would be a sovereign remedy for her + illness." +</p> +<p> + "Your tone and manner," replied the count, "forbid my resenting your + interference. I have no reason to doubt your affection for my + daughter, but I must request you to abandon all idea of changing my + designs. If I choose to bring my daughter to a true sense of her + position by somewhat rigorous methods, it is because I am aware that + the frailty of reputation surpasses the frailty of woman. I will say + this to your credit, sir, that if she has not disgraced herself, it + has been in some measure because you wisely forbore from pressing your + suit while you were received as an instructor beneath my roof. I am + only doing my duty in trying to make her understand that her good name + has been seriously exposed, and that the best reparation she can make + lies in following my wishes, and accepting the honourable and + advantageous marriage I have provided for her. I trust that this + explanation, which I am happy to say has been conducted with the + strictest propriety, will be final, and that you will at once desist + from any further attempts toward persuading me to consent to a union + that I disapprove." +</p> +<p> + Lira once more stopped his horse in the road, and taking off his hat + bowed to Nino. +</p> +<p> + "And I, sir," said Nino, no less courteously, "am obliged to you for + your clearly-expressed answer. I shall never cease to regret your + decision, and so long as I live I shall hope that you may change your + mind. Good-day, Signor Conte," and he bowed to his saddle. +</p> +<p> + "Good-day, Signor Cardegna." So they parted: the count heading + homeward toward Fillettino, and Nino turning back toward Trevi. +</p> +<p> + By this manoeuvre he conveyed to the count's mind the impression that + he had been to Fillettino for the day, and was returning to Trevi for + the evening; and in reality the success of his enterprise, since + his representations had failed, must depend upon Hedwig being + comparatively free during the ensuing night. He determined to wait by + the roadside until it should be dark, allowing his mule to crop + whatever poor grass she could find at this season, and thus giving the + count time to reach Fillettino, even at the most leisurely pace. +</p> +<p> + He sat down upon the root of a tree, and allowed his mule to graze at + liberty. It was already growing dark in the valley; for between the + long speeches of civility the two had employed and the frequent pauses + in the interview, the meeting had lasted the greater part of an hour. +</p> +<p> + Nino says that while he waited he reviewed his past life and his + present situation. +</p> +<p> + Indeed, since he had made his first appearance in the theatre, three + months before, events had crowded thick and fast in his life. The + first sensation of a great public success is strange to one who has + long been accustomed to live unnoticed and unhonoured by the world. It + is at first incomprehensible that one should have suddenly grown to be + an object of interest and curiosity to one's fellow-creatures, after + having been so long a looker-on. At first a man does not realise that + the thing he has laboured over, and studied, and worked on, can be + actually anything remarkable. The production of the every-day task has + long grown a habit, and the details which the artist grows to admire + and love so earnestly have each brought with them their own reward. + Every difficulty vanquished, every image of beauty embodied, every new + facility of skill acquired, has been in itself a real and enduring + satisfaction for its own sake, and for the sake of its fitness to the + whole,—the beautiful perfect whole he has conceived. +</p> +<p> + But he must necessarily forget, if he loves his work, that those who + come after, and are to see the expression of his thought, or hear the + mastery of his song, see or hear it all at once; so that the + assemblage of the lesser beauties, over each of which the artist has + had great joy, must produce a suddenly multiplied impression upon the + understanding of the outside world, which sees first the embodiment of + the thought, and has then the after-pleasure of appreciating the + details. The hearer is thrilled with a sense of impassioned beauty, + which the singer may perhaps feel when he first conceives the + interpretation of the printed notes, but which goes over farther from + him as he strives to approach it and realise it; and so his admiration + for his own song is lost in dissatisfaction with the failings which + others have not time to see. +</p> +<p> + Before he is aware of the change, a singer has become famous, and all + men are striving for a sight of him, or a hearing. There are few like + Nino, whose head was not turned at all by the flattery and the praise, + being occupied with other things. As he sat by the roadside, he + thought of the many nights when the house rang with cheers and cries + and all manner of applause; and he remembered how, each time he looked + his audience in the face, he had searched for the one face of all + faces that he cared to see, and had searched in vain. +</p> +<p> + He seemed now to understand that it was his honest-hearted love for + the fair northern girl that had protected him from caring for the + outer world, and he now realised what the outer world was. He fancied + to himself what his first three months of brilliant success might have + been, in Rome and Paris, if he had not been bound by some strong tie + of the heart to keep him serious and thoughtful. He thought of the + women who had smiled upon him, and of the invitations that had + besieged him, and of the consternation that had manifested itself when + he declared his intention of retiring to Rome, after his brilliant + engagement in Paris, without signing any further contract. +</p> +<p> + Then came the rapid journey, the excitement, the day in Rome, the + difficulties of finding Fillettino; and at last he was here, sitting + by the roadside, and waiting for it to be time to carry into execution + the bold scheme he had set before him. His conscience was at rest, for + he now felt that he had done all that the most scrupulous honour could + exact of him. He had returned in the midst of his success to make an + honourable offer of marriage, and he had been refused,—because he was + a plebeian, forsooth! And he knew also that the woman he loved was + breaking her heart for him. +</p> +<p> + What wonder that he set his teeth, and said to himself that she should + be his, at any price! Nino has no absurd ideas about the ridicule that + attaches to loving a woman, and taking her if necessary. He has not + been trained up in the heart of the wretched thing they call society, + which ruined me long ago. What he wants he asks for, like a child, and + if it is refused, and his good heart tells him that he has a right to + it, he takes it like a man, or like what a man was in the old time + before the Englishman discovered that he is an ape. Ah, my learned + colleagues, we are not so far removed from the ancestral monkey but + that there is serious danger of our shortly returning to that + primitive and caudal state! And I think that my boy and the Prussian + officer, as they sat on their beasts and bowed, and smiled, and + offered to fight each other, or to shake hands, each desiring to + oblige the other, like a couple of knights of the old ages, were a + trifle farther removed from our common gorilla parentage than some of + us. +</p> +<p> + But it grew dark, and Nino caught his mule and rode slowly back to the + town, wondering what would happen before the sun rose on the other + side of the world. Now, lest you fail to understand wholly how the + matter passed, I must tell you a little of what took place during the + time that Nino was waiting for the count, and Hedwig was alone in the + castle with Baron Benoni. The way I came to know is this: Hedwig told + the whole story to Nino, and Nino told it to me,—but many months + after that eventful day, which I shall always consider as one of the + most remarkable in my life. It was Good Friday, last year, and you may + find out the day of the month for yourselves. +</p> +<a name="chapter_18"></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h3> + CHAPTER XVIII +</h3> +<p> + As Nino had guessed, the count was glad of a chance to leave his + daughter alone with Benoni, and it was for this reason that he had + ridden out so early. The baron's originality and extraordinary musical + talent seemed to Lira gifts which a woman needed only to see in order + to appreciate, and which might well make her forget his snowy locks. + During the time of Benoni's visit the count had not yet been + successful in throwing the pair together, for Hedwig's dislike for the + baron made her exert her tact to the utmost in avoiding his society. +</p> +<p> + It so happened that Hedwig, rising early, and breathing the sweet, + cool air from the window of her chamber, had seen Nino ride by on his + mule, when he arrived in the morning. He did not see her, for the + street merely passed the corner of the great pile, and it was only by + stretching her head far out that Hedwig could get a glimpse of it. But + it amused her to watch the country people going by, with their mules + and donkeys and hampers, or loads of firewood; and she would often + lean over the window-sill for half an hour at a time gazing at the + little stream of mountain life, and sometimes weaving small romances + of the sturdy brown women and their active, dark-browed shepherd + lovers. Moreover, she fully expected that Nino would arrive that day, + and had some faint hope of seeing him go along the road. So she was + rewarded, and the sight of the man she loved was the first breath of + freedom. +</p> +<p> + In a great house like the strange abode Lira had selected for the + seclusion of his daughter, it constantly occurs that one person is in + ignorance of the doings of the others; and so it was natural that when + Hedwig heard the clatter of hoofs in the courtyard, and the echoing + crash of the great doors as they opened and closed, she should think + both her father and Benoni had ridden away, and would be gone for the + morning. She would not look out, lest she should see them and be seen. +</p> +<p> + I cannot tell you exactly what she felt when she saw Nino from her + lofty window, but she was certainly glad with her whole heart. If she + had not known of his coming from my visit the previous evening, she + would perhaps have given way to some passionate outburst of happiness; + but as it was, the feeling of anticipation, the sweet, false dawn of + freedom, together with the fact that she was prepared, took from this + first pleasure all that was overwhelming. She only felt that he had + come, and that she would soon be saved from Benoni; she could not tell + how, but she knew it, and smiled to herself for the first time in + months, as she held a bit of jewelry to her slender throat before the + glass, wondering whether she had not grown too thin and pale to please + her lover, who had been courted by the beauties of the world since he + had left her. +</p> +<p> + She was ill, perhaps, and tired. That was why she looked pale; but she + knew that the first day of freedom would make her as beautiful as + ever. She spent the morning hours in her rooms; but when she heard the + gates close she fancied herself alone in the great house, and went + down into the sunny courtyard to breathe the air, and to give certain + instructions to her faithful man. She sent him to my house to speak + with me; and that was all the message he had for the present. However, + he knew well enough what he was to do. There was a strong smell of + banknotes in the air, and the man kept his nose up. +</p> +<p> + Having despatched this important business, Hedwig set herself to walk + up and down the paved quadrangle on the sunny side. There was a stone + bench in a warm corner that looked inviting. She entered the house and + brought out a book, with which she established herself to read. She + had often longed to sit there in the afternoon and watch the sun + creeping across the flags, pursued by the shadow, till each small bit + of moss and blade of grass had received its daily portion of warmth. + For though the place had been cleared and weeded, the tiny green + things still grew in the chinks of the pavement. In the middle of the + court was a well with a cover and yoke of old-fashioned twisted iron + and a pulley to draw the water. The air was bright and fresh outside + the castle, but the reverberating rays of the sun made the quiet + courtyard warm and still. +</p> +<p> + Sick with her daily torture of mind the fair, pale girl rested her, at + last, and dreaming of liberty drew strength from the soft stillness. + The book fell on her lap, her head leaned back against the rough + stones of the wall, and gradually, as she watched from beneath her + half-closed lids the play of the stealing sunlight, she fell into a + sweet sleep. +</p> +<p> + She was soon disturbed by that indescribable uneasiness that creeps + through our dreams when we are asleep in the presence of danger. A + weird horror possesses us, and makes the objects in the dream appear + unnatural. Gradually the terror grows on us and thrills us, and we + wake, with bristling hair and staring eyes, to the hideous + consciousness of unexpected peril. +</p> +<p> + Hedwig started and raised her lids, following the direction of her + dream. She was not mistaken. Opposite her stood her arch-horror, + Benoni. He leaned carelessly against the stone well, and his bright + brown eyes were riveted upon her. His tall, thin figure was clad, as + usual, in all the extreme of fashion, and one of his long, bony hands + toyed with his watch-chain. His animated face seemed aglow with the + pleasure of contemplation, and the sunshine lent a yellow tinge to his + snowy hair. +</p> +<p> + "An exquisite picture, indeed, countess," he said, without moving. "I + trust your dreams were as sweet as they looked?" +</p> +<p> + "They were sweet, sir," she answered coldly, after a moment's pause, + during which she looked steadily toward him. +</p> +<p> + "I regret that I should have disturbed them," he said, with a + deferential bow; and he came and sat by her side, treading as lightly + as a boy across the flags. Hedwig shuddered and drew her dark skirts + about her as he sat down. +</p> +<p> + "You cannot regret it more than I do," she said, in tones of ice. She + would not take refuge in the house, for it would have seemed like an + ignominious flight. Benoni crossed one leg over the other, and asked + permission to smoke, which she granted by an indifferent motion of her + fair head. +</p> +<p> + "So we are left all alone to-day, countess," remarked Benoni, blowing + rings of smoke in the quiet air. +</p> +<p> + Hedwig vouchsafed no answer. +</p> +<p> + "We are left alone," he repeated, seeing that she was silent, "and I + make it hereby my business and my pleasure to amuse you." +</p> +<p> + "You are good, sir. But I thank you. I need no entertainment of your + devising." +</p> +<p> + "That is eminently unfortunate," returned the baron, with his + imperturbable smile, "for I am universally considered to be the most + amusing of mortals,—if, indeed, I am mortal at all, which I sometimes + doubt." +</p> +<p> + "Do you reckon yourself with the gods, then?" asked Hedwig scornfully. + "Which of them are you? Jove? Dionysus? Apollo?" +</p> +<p> + "Nay, rather Phaethon, who soared too high—" +</p> +<p> + "Your mythology is at fault, sir,—he drove too low; and besides, he + was not immortal." +</p> +<p> + "It is the same. He was wide of the mark, as I am. Tell me, countess, + are your wits always so ready?" +</p> +<p> + "You, at least, will always find them so," she answered, bitterly. +</p> +<p> + "You are unkind. You stab my vanity, as you have pierced my heart." +</p> +<p> + At this speech Hedwig raised her eyebrows and stared at him in + silence. Any other man would have taken the chilling rebuke and left + her. Benoni put on a sad expression. +</p> +<p> + "You used not to hate me as you do now," he said. +</p> +<p> + "That is true. I hated you formerly because I hated you." +</p> +<p> + "And now?" asked Benoni, with a short laugh. +</p> +<p> + "I hate you now because I loathe you." She uttered this singular + saying indifferently, as being part of her daily thoughts. +</p> +<p> + "You have the courage of your opinions, countess," he replied, with a + very bitter smile. +</p> +<p> + "Yes? It is only the courage a woman need have." There was a pause, + during which Benoni puffed much smoke and stroked his white + moustache. Hedwig turned over the leaves of her book, as though + hinting to him to go. But he had no idea of that. A man who will not + go because a woman loathes him will certainly not leave her for a + hint. +</p> +<p> + "Countess," he began again, at last, "will you listen to me?" +</p> +<p> + "I suppose I must. I presume my father has left you here to insult me + at your noble leisure." +</p> +<p> + "Ah, countess, dear countess,"—she shrank away from him,—"you should + know me better than to believe me capable of anything so monstrous. I + insult you? Gracious heaven! I, who adore you; who worship the holy + ground whereon you tread; who would preserve the precious air you have + breathed in vessels of virgin crystal; who would give a drop of my + blood for every word you vouchsafe me, kind or cruel,—I, who look on + you as the only divinity in this desolate heathen world, who reverence + you and do you daily homage, who adore you—" +</p> +<p> + "You manifest your adoration in a singular manner, sir," said Hedwig, + interrupting him with something of her father's severity. +</p> +<p> + "I show it as best I can," the old scoundrel pleaded, working himself + into a passion of words. "My life, my fortune, my name, my honour,—I + cast them at your feet. For you I will be a hermit, a saint, dwelling + in solitary places and doing good works; or I will brave every danger + the narrow earth holds, by sea and land, for you. What? Am I decrepit, + or bent, or misshapen, that my white hair should cry out against me? + Am I hideous, or doting, or half-witted, as old men are? I am young; I + am strong, active, enduring. I have all the gifts, for you." +</p> +<p> + The baron was speaking French, and perhaps these wild praises of + himself might pass current in a foreign language. But when Nino + detailed the conversation to me in our good, simple Italian speech, it + sounded so amazingly ridiculous that I nearly broke my sides with + laughing. +</p> +<p> + Hedwig laughed also, and so loudly that the foolish old man was + disconcerted. He had succeeded in amusing her sooner than he had + expected. As I have told you, the baron is a most impulsive person, + though he is poisoned with evil from his head to his heart. +</p> +<p> + "All women are alike," he said, and his manner suddenly changed. +</p> +<p> + "I fancy," said Hedwig, recovering from her merriment, "that if you + address them as you have addressed me you will find them very much + alike indeed." +</p> +<p> + "What good can women do in the world?" sighed Benoni, as though + speaking with himself. "You do nothing but harm with your cold + calculations and your bitter jests." Hedwig was silent. "Tell me," he + continued presently, "if I speak soberly, by the card as it were, will + you listen to me?" +</p> +<p> + "Oh, I have said that I will listen to you!" cried Hedwig, losing + patience. +</p> +<p> + "Hedwig von Lira, I hereby offer you my fortune, my name, and myself. + I ask you to marry me of your own good will and pleasure." Hedwig once + more raised her brows. +</p> +<p> + "Baron Benoni, I will not marry you, either for your fortune, your + name, or yourself,—nor for any other consideration under heaven. And + I will ask you not to address me by my Christian name." There was a + long silence after this speech, and Benoni carefully lighted a second + cigarette. Hedwig would have risen and entered the house, but she + felt safer in the free air of the sunny court. As for Benoni, he had + no intention of going. +</p> +<p> + "I suppose you are aware, countess," he said at last, coldly eying + her, "that your father has set his heart upon our union?" +</p> +<p> + "I am aware of it." +</p> +<p> + "But you are not aware of the consequences of your refusal. I am your + only chance of freedom. Take me, and you have the world at your feet. + Refuse me, and you will languish in this hideous place so long as your + affectionate father pleases." +</p> +<p> + "Do you know my father so little, sir," asked Hedwig very proudly, "as + to suppose that his daughter will ever yield to force?" +</p> +<p> + "It is one thing to talk of not yielding, and it is quite another to + bear prolonged suffering with constancy," returned Benoni coolly, as + though he were discussing a general principle instead of expounding to + a woman the fate she had to expect if she refused to marry him. "I + never knew anyone who did not talk bravely of resisting torture until + it was applied. Oh, you will be weak at the end, countess, believe me. + You are weak now; and changed, though perhaps you would be better + pleased if I did not notice it. Yes, I smile now,—I laugh. I can + afford to. You can be merry over me because I love you, but I can be + merry at what you must suffer if you will not love me. Do not look so + proud, countess. You know what follows pride, if the proverb lies + not." +</p> +<p> + During this insulting speech Hedwig had risen to her feet, and in the + act to go she turned and looked at him in utter scorn. She could not + comprehend the nature of a man who could so coldly threaten her. If + ever anyone of us can fathom Benoni's strange character we may hope to + understand that phase of it along with the rest. +</p> +<p> + He seemed as indifferent to his own mistakes and follies as to the + sufferings of others. +</p> +<p> + "Sir," she said, "whatever may be the will of my father, I will not + permit you to discuss it, still less to hold up his anger as a threat + to scare me. You need not follow me," she added, as he rose. +</p> +<p> + "I will follow you, whether you wish it or not, countess," he said, + fiercely; and, as she flew across the court to the door he strode + swiftly by her side, hissing his words into her ear. "I will follow + you to tell you that I know more of you than you think, and I know how + little right you have to be so proud. I know your lover. I know of + your meetings, your comings and your goings—" They reached the door, + but Benoni barred the way with his long arm, and seemed about to lay a + hand upon her wrist, so that she shrank back against the heavy + doorpost in an agony of horror and loathing and wounded pride. "I know + Cardegna, and I knew the poor baroness who killed herself because he + basely abandoned her. Ah, you never heard the truth before? I trust it + is pleasant to you. As he left her he has left you. He will never come + back. I saw him in Paris three weeks ago. I could tell tales not fit + for your ears. And for him you will die in this horrible place unless + you consent. For him you have thrown away everything,—name, fame, and + happiness,—unless you will take all these from me. Oh, I know you + will cry out that it is untrue; but my eyes are good, though you call + me old! For this treacherous boy, with his curly hair, you have lost + the only thing that makes woman human,—your reputation!" And Benoni + laughed that horrid laugh of his, till the court rang again, as though + there were devils in every corner, and beneath every eave and + everywhere. +</p> +<p> + People who are loud in their anger are sometimes dangerous, for it is + genuine while it lasts. People whose anger is silent are generally + either incapable of honest wrath or cowards. But there are some in the + world whose passion shows itself in few words but strong ones, and + proceeds instantly to action. +</p> +<p> + Hedwig had stood back against the stone casing of the entrance, at + first, overcome with the intensity of what she suffered. But as Benoni + laughed she moved slowly forward till she was close to him, and only + his outstretched arm barred the doorway. +</p> +<p> + "Every word you have spoken is a lie, and you know it. Let me pass, or + I will kill you with my hands!" +</p> +<p> + The words came low and distinct to his excited ear, like the tolling + of a passing bell. Her face must have been dreadful to see, and Benoni + was suddenly fascinated and terrified at the concentrated anger that + blazed in her blue eyes. His arm dropped to his side, and Hedwig + passed proudly through the door, in all the majesty of innocence + gathering her skirts, lest they should touch his feet or any part of + him. She never hastened her step as she ascended the broad stairs + within and went to her own little sitting-room, made gay with books + and flowers and photographs from Rome. Nor was her anger followed by + any passionate outburst of tears. She sat herself down by the window + and looked out, letting the cool breeze from the open casement fan her + face. +</p> +<p> + Hedwig, too, had passed through a violent scene that day, and, having + conquered, she sat down to think over it. She reflected that Benoni + had but used the same words to her that she had daily heard from her + father's lips. False as was their accusation, she submitted to hearing + her father speak them, for she had no knowledge of their import, and + only thought him cruelly hard with her. But that a stranger—above + all, a man who aspired, or pretended to aspire, to her hand—should + attempt to usurp the same authority of speech was beyond all human + endurance. She felt sure that her father's anger would all be turned + against Benoni when he heard her story. +</p> +<p> + As for what her tormentor had said of Nino, she could have killed him + for saying it, but she knew that it was a lie; for she loved Nino with + all her heart, and no one can love wholly without trusting wholly. + Therefore she put away the evil suggestion from herself, and loaded + all its burden of treachery upon Benoni. +</p> +<p> + How long she sat by the window, compelling her strained thoughts into + order, no one can tell. It might have been an hour, or more, for she + had lost the account of the hours. She was roused by a knock at the + door of her sitting-room, and at her bidding the man entered who, for + the trifling consideration of about a thousand francs, first and last + made communication possible between Hedwig and myself. +</p> +<p> + This man's name is Temistocle,—Themistocles, no less. All servants + are Themistocles, or Orestes, or Joseph, just as all gardeners are + called Antonio. Perhaps he deserves some description. He is a type, + short, wiry, and broad-shouldered, with a cunning eye, a long hooked + nose, and very plentiful black whiskers, surmounted by a perfectly + bald crown. His motions are servile to the last degree, and he + addresses everyone in authority as "excellency," on the principle that + it is better to give too much titular homage than too little. He is as + wily as a fox, and so long as you have money in your pocket, as + faithful as a hound and as silent as the grave. I perceive that these + are precisely the epithets at which the baron scoffed, saying that a + man can be praised only by comparing him with the higher animals, or + insulted by comparison with himself and his kind. We call a man a + fool, an idiot, a coward, a liar, a traitor, and many other things + applicable only to man himself. However, I will let my description + stand, for it is a very good one; and Temistocle could be induced, for + money, to adapt himself to almost any description, and he certainly + had earned, at one time or another, most of the titles I have + enumerated. +</p> +<p> + He told me, months afterwards, that when he passed through the + courtyard, on his way to Hedwig's apartment, he found Benoni seated on + the stone bench, smoking a cigarette and gazing into space, so that he + passed close before him without being noticed. +</p> +<a name="chapter_19"></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h3> + CHAPTER XIX +</h3> +<p> + Temistocle closed the door, then opened it again, and looked out, + after which he finally shut it, and seemed satisfied. He advanced with + cautious tread to where Hedwig sat by the window. +</p> +<p> + "Well? What have you done?" she inquired, without looking at him. It + is a hard thing for a proud and noble girl to be in the power of a + servant. The man took Nino's letter from his pocket, and handed it to + her upon his open palm. Hedwig tried hard to take it with + indifference, but she acknowledges that her fingers trembled and her + heart beat fast. +</p> +<p> + "I was to deliver a message to your excellency from the old + gentleman," said Temistocle, coming close to her and bending down. +</p> +<p> + "Ah!" said Hedwig, beginning to break the envelope. +</p> +<p> + "Yes, excellency. He desired me to say that it was absolutely and most + indubitably necessary that your excellency should be at the little + door to-night at twelve o'clock. Do not fear, Signora Contessina; we + can manage it very well." +</p> +<p> + "I do not wish to know what you advise me to fear, or not to fear," + answered Hedwig, haughtily; for she could not bear to feel that the + man should counsel her or encourage her. +</p> +<p> + "Pardon, excellency; I thought—" began Temistocle humbly; but Hedwig + interrupted him. +</p> +<p> + "Temistocle," she said, "I have no money to give you, as I told you + yesterday. But here is another stone, like the other. Take it, and + arrange this matter as best you can." +</p> +<p> + Temistocle took the jewel and bowed to the ground, eying curiously the + little case from which she had taken it. +</p> +<p> + "I have thought and combined everything," he said. "Your excellency + will see that it is best you should go alone to the staircase; for, as + we say, a mouse makes less noise than a rat. When you have descended, + lock the door at the top behind you; and when you reach the foot of + the staircase, keep that door open. I will have brought the old + gentleman by that time, and you will let me in. I shall go out by the + great gate." +</p> +<p> + "Why not go with me?" inquired Hedwig. +</p> +<p> + "Because, your excellency, one person is less likely to be seen than + two. Your excellency will let me pass you. I will mount the staircase, + unlock the upper door, and change the key to the other side. Then I + will keep watch, and if anyone comes I will lock the door and slip + away till he is gone." +</p> +<p> + "I do not like the plan," said Hedwig. "I would rather let myself in + from the staircase." +</p> +<p> + "But suppose anyone were waiting on the inside, and saw you come + back?" +</p> +<p> + "That is true. Give me the keys, Temistocle, and a taper and some + matches." +</p> +<p> + "Your excellency is a paragon of courage," replied the servant, + obsequiously. "Since yesterday I have carried the keys in my pocket. I + will bring you the taper this evening." +</p> +<p> + "Bring it now. I wish to be ready." +</p> +<p> + Temistocle departed on the errand. When he returned Hedwig ordered him + to give a message to her father. +</p> +<p> + "When the count comes home, ask him to see me," she said. Temistocle + bowed once more, and was gone. +</p> +<p> + Yes, she would see her father, and tell him plainly what she had + suffered from Benoni. She felt that no father, however cruel, would + allow his daughter to be so treated, and she would detail the + conversation to him. +</p> +<p> + She had not been able to read Nino's letter, for she feared the + servant, knowing the writing to be Italian and legible to him. Now she + hastened to drink in its message of love. You cannot suppose that I + know exactly what he said, but he certainly set forth at some length + his proposal that she should leave her father, and escape with her + lover from the bondage in which she was now held. He told her modestly + of his success, in so far as it was necessary that she should + understand his position. It must have been a very eloquent letter, for + it nearly persuaded her to a step of which she had wildly dreamed, + indeed, but which in her calmer moments she regarded as impossible. +</p> +<p> + The interminable afternoon was drawing to a close, and once more she + sat by the open window, regardless of the increasing cold. Suddenly it + all came over her,—the tremendous importance of the step she was + about to take, if she should take Nino at his word, and really break + from one life into another. The long restrained tears, that had been + bound from flowing through all Benoni's insults and her own anger, + trickled silently down her cheek, no longer pale, but bright and + flushed at the daring thought of freedom. +</p> +<p> + At first it seemed far off, as seen in the magician's glass. She + looked and saw herself as another person, acting a part only half + known and half understood. But gradually her own individual soul + entered into the figure of her imagination; her eager heart beat fast; + she breathed and moved and acted in the future. She was descending the + dark steps alone, listening with supernatural sense of sound for her + lover's tread without. It came; the door opened, and she was in his + arms,—in those strong arms that could protect her from insult and + tyranny and cruel wooing; out in the night, on the road, in Rome, + married, free, and made blessed for ever. On a sudden the artificial + imagery of her labouring brain fell away, and the thought crossed her + mind that henceforth she must be an orphan. Her father would never + speak to her again, or ever own for his a daughter that had done such + a deed. Like icy water poured upon a fevered body, the idea chilled + her and woke her to reality. +</p> +<p> + Did she love her father? She had loved him—yes, until she crossed his + will. She loved him still, when she could be so horror-struck at the + thought of incurring his lasting anger. Could she bear it? Could she + find in her lover all that she must renounce of a father's care and a + father's affection,—stern affection, that savoured of the + despot,—but could she hurt him so? +</p> +<p> + The image of her father seemed to take another shape, and gradually to + assume the form and features of the one man of the world whom she + hated, converting itself little by little into Benoni. She hid her + face in her hands and terror staunched the tears that had flown afresh + at the thought of orphanhood. +</p> +<p> + A knock at the door. She hastily concealed the crumpled letter. +</p> +<p> + "Come in!" she answered, boldly; and her father, moving mechanically, + with his stick in his hand, entered the room. He came as he had + dismounted from his horse, in his riding boots, and his broad felt hat + caught by the same fingers that held the stick. +</p> +<p> + "You wished to see me, Hedwig," he said, coldly, depositing his hat + upon the table. Then, when he had slowly sat himself down in an + arm-chair, he added, "Here I am." Hedwig had risen respectfully, and + stood before him in the twilight. "What do you wish to say?" he asked + in German. "You do not often honour your father by requesting his + society." +</p> +<p> + Hedwig stood one moment in silence. Her first impulse was to throw + herself at his feet and implore him to let her marry Nino. The thought + swept away for the time the remembrance of Benoni and of what she had + to tell. But a second sufficed to give her the mastery of her tongue + and memory, which women seldom lose completely, even at the most + desperate moments. +</p> +<p> + "I desired to tell you," she said, "that Baron Benoni took advantage + of your absence to-day to insult me beyond my endurance." She looked + boldly into her father's eyes as she spoke. +</p> +<p> + "Ah!" said he, with great coolness. "Will you be good enough to light + one of those candles on the table, and to close the window?" +</p> +<p> + Hedwig obeyed in silence, and once more planted herself before him, + her slim figure looking ghostly between the fading light of the + departing day and the yellow flame of the candle. +</p> +<p> + "You need not assume this theatrical air," said Lira, calmly. "I + presume you mean that Baron Benoni asked you to marry him?" +</p> +<p> + "Yes, that is one thing, and is an insult in itself," replied Hedwig, + without changing her position. "I suspect that it is the principal + thing," remarked the count. "Very good; he asked you to marry him. He + has my full authority to do so. What then?" +</p> +<p> + "You are my father," answered Hedwig, standing like a statue before + him, "and you have the right to offer me whom you please for a + husband, but you have no authority to allow me to be wantonly + insulted." +</p> +<p> + "I think that you are out of your mind," said the count, with + imperturbable equanimity. "You grant that I may propose a suitor to + you, and you call it a wanton insult when that suitor respectfully + asks the honour of your hand, merely because he is not young enough to + suit your romantic tastes, which have been fostered by this wretched + southern air. It is unfortunate that my health requires me to reside + in Italy. Had you enjoyed an orderly Prussian education, you would + have held different views in regard to filial duty. Refuse Baron + Benoni as often as you like. I will stay here, and so will he, I + fancy, until you change your mind. I am not tired of this lordly + mountain scenery, and my health improves daily. We can pass the summer + and winter, and more summers and winters, very comfortably here. If + there is anything you would like to have brought from Rome, inform me, + and I will satisfy any reasonable request." +</p> +<p> + "The baron has already had the audacity to inform me that you would + keep me a prisoner until I should marry him," said Hedwig; and her + voice trembled as she remembered how Benoni had told her so. +</p> +<p> + "I doubt not that Benoni, who is a man of consummate tact, hinted + delicately that he would not desist from pressing his suit. You, well + knowing my determination, and carried away by your evil temper, have + magnified into a threat what he never intended as such. Pray let me + hear no more about these fancied insults." The old man smiled grimly + at his keen perception. +</p> +<p> + "You shall hear me, nevertheless," said Hedwig, in a low voice, coming + close to the table and resting one hand upon it as though for support. +</p> +<p> + "My daughter," said the count, "I desire you to abandon this highly + theatrical and melodramatic tone. I am not to be imposed upon." +</p> +<p> + "Baron Benoni did not confine himself to the course you describe. He + said many things to me that I did not understand, but I comprehended + their import. He began by making absurd speeches, at which I laughed. + Then he asked me to marry him, as I had long known he would do as soon + as you gave him the opportunity. I refused his offer. Then he + insisted, saying that you, sir, had determined on this marriage, and + would keep me a close prisoner here until the torture of the situation + broke down my strength. I assured him that I would never yield to + force. Then he broke out angrily, telling me to my face that I had + lost everything—name, fame, and honour,—how, I cannot tell; but he + said those words; and he added that I could regain my reputation only + by consenting to marry him." +</p> +<p> + The old count had listened at first with a sarcastic smile, then with + increased attention. Finally, as Hedwig repeated the shameful insult, + his brave old blood boiled up in his breast, and he sat gripping the + two arms of his chair fiercely, while his gray eyes shot fire from + beneath the shaggy brows. +</p> +<p> + "Hedwig," he cried, hoarsely, "are you speaking the truth? Did he say + those words?" +</p> +<p> + "Yes, my father, and more like them. Are you surprised?" she asked + bitterly. "You have said them yourself to me." +</p> +<p> + The old man's rage rose furiously, and he struggled to his feet. He + was stiff with riding and rheumatism, but he was too angry to sit + still. +</p> +<p> + "I? Yes, I have tried to show you what might have happened, and to + warn you and frighten you, as you should be frightened. Yes, and I was + right, for you shall not drag my name in the dirt. But another + man—Benoni!" He could not speak for his wrath, and his tall figure + moved rapidly about the room, his heart seeking expression in action. + He looked like some forgotten creature of harm, suddenly galvanised + into destructive life. It was well that Benoni was not within reach. +</p> +<p> + Hedwig stood calmly by the table, proud in her soul that her father + should be roused to such fury. The old man paused in his walk, came to + her, and with his hand turned her face to the light, gazing savagely + into her eyes. +</p> +<p> + "You never told me a lie," he growled out. +</p> +<p> + "Never," she said, boldly, as she faced him scornfully. He knew his + own temper in his child, and was satisfied. The soldier's habit of + self-control was strong in him, and the sardonic humour of his nature + served as a garment to the thoughts he harboured. +</p> +<p> + "It appears," he said, "that I am to spend the remainder of an + honourable life in fighting with a pack of hounds. I nearly killed + your old acquaintance, the Signor Professore Cardegna, this + afternoon." Hedwig staggered back, and turned pale. +</p> +<p> + "What! Is he wounded?" she gasped out, pressing her hand to his side. +</p> +<p> + "Ha! That touches you almost as closely as Benoni's insult," he said, + savagely. "I am glad of it. I repent me, and wish that I had killed + him. We met on the road, and he had the impertinence to ask me for + your hand,—I am sick of these daily proposals of marriage; and then I + inquired if he meant to insult me." +</p> +<p> + Hedwig leaned heavily on the table in an agony of suspense. +</p> +<p> + "The fellow answered that if I were insulted he was ready to fight + then and there, in the road, with my pistols. He is no coward, your + lover,—I will say that. The end of it was that I came home and he did + not." +</p> +<p> + Hedwig sank into the chair that her father had left, and hid her face. +</p> +<p> + "Oh, you have killed him!" she moaned. +</p> +<p> + "No," said the count shortly; "I did not touch a hair of his head. But + he rode away toward Trevi." Hedwig breathed again. "Are you + satisfied?" he asked, with a hard smile, enjoying the terror he had + excited. +</p> +<p> + "Oh, how cruel you are, my father!" she said, in a broken voice. +</p> +<p> + "I tell you that if I could cure you of your insane passion for this + singer fellow, I would be as cruel as the Inquisition," retorted the + count. "Now listen to me. You will not be troubled any longer with + Benoni,—the beast! I will teach him a lesson of etiquette. You need + not appear at dinner to-night. But you are not to suppose that our + residence here is at an end. When you have made up your mind to act + sensibly, and to forget the Signor Cardegna, you shall return to + society, where you may select a husband of your own position and + fortune, if you choose; or you may turn Romanist, and go into a + convent, and devote yourself to good works and idolatry, or anything + else. I do not pretend to care what becomes of you, so long as you + show any decent respect for your name. But if you persist in pining + and moaning and starving yourself, because I will not allow you to + turn dancer and marry a strolling player, you will have to remain + here. I am not such pleasant company when I am bored, I can tell you, + and my enthusiasm for the beauties of nature is probably transitory." +</p> +<p> + "I can bear anything if you will remove Benoni," said Hedwig, quietly, + as she rose from her seat. But the pressure of the iron keys that she + had hidden in her bosom gave her a strange sensation. +</p> +<p> + "Never fear," said the count, taking his hat from the table. "You + shall be amply avenged of Benoni and his foul tongue. I may not love + my daughter, but no one shall insult her. I will have a word with him + this evening." +</p> +<p> + "I thank you for that, at least," said Hedwig, as he moved to the + door. +</p> +<p> + "Do not mention it," said he, and put his hand on the lock. +</p> +<p> + A sudden impulse seized Hedwig. She ran swiftly to him, and clasped + her hands upon his arm. +</p> +<p> + "Father?" she cried, pleadingly. +</p> +<p> + "What?" +</p> +<p> + "Father, do you love me?" He hesitated one moment. +</p> +<p> + "No," he said, sternly; "you disobey me"; and he went out in rough + haste. The door closed behind him, and she was left standing alone. + What could she do, poor child? For months he had tormented her and + persecuted her, and now she had asked him plainly if she still held a + place in his heart, and he had coldly denied it. +</p> +<p> + A gentle, tender maiden, love-sick and mind-sick, yearning so + piteously for a little mercy, or sympathy, or kindness, and treated + like a mutinous soldier, because she loved so honestly and purely,—is + it any wonder that her hand went to her bosom and clasped the cold, + hard keys that promised her life and freedom? I think not. I have no + patience with young women who allow themselves to be carried away by + an innate bad taste and love for effect, quarrelling with the peaceful + destiny that a kind Providence has vouchsafed them, and with an + existence which they are too dull to make interesting to themselves or + to anyone else; finally making a desperate and foolish dash at + notoriety by a runaway marriage with the first scamp they can find, + and repenting in poverty and social ostracism the romance they + conceived in wealth and luxury. They deserve their fate. But when a + sensitive girl is motherless, cut off from friends and pleasures, + presented with the alternative of solitude or marriage with some + detested man, or locked up to forget a dream which was half realised + and very sweet, then the case is different. If she breaks her bonds, + and flies to the only loving heart she knows, forgive her, and pray + Heaven to have mercy on her, for she takes a fearful leap into the + dark. +</p> +<p> + Hedwig felt the keys, and took them from her dress, and pressed them + to her cheek, and her mind was made up. She glanced at the small gilt + clock, and saw that the hands pointed to seven. Five hours were before + her in which to make her preparations, such as they could be. +</p> +<p> + In accordance with her father's orders, given when he left her, + Temistocle served her dinner in her sitting-room; and the uncertainty + of the night's enterprise demanded that she should eat something, + lest her strength should fail at the critical moment. Temistocle + volunteered the information that her father had gone to the baron's + apartment, and had not been seen since. She heard in silence, and bade + the servant leave her as soon as he had ministered to her wants. Then + she wrote a short letter to her father, telling him that she had left + him, since he had no place for her in his heart, and that she had gone + to the one man who seemed ready both to love and to protect her. This + missive she folded, sealed, and laid in a prominent place upon the + table addressed to the count. +</p> +<p> + She made a small bundle,—very neatly, for she is clever with her + fingers,—and put on a dark travelling dress, in the folds of which + she sewed such jewels as were small and valuable and her own. She + would take nothing that her father had given her. In all this she + displayed perfect coolness and foresight. +</p> +<p> + The castle became intensely quiet as the evening advanced. She sat + watching the clock. At five minutes before midnight she took her + bundle and her little shoes in her hand, blew out her candle, and + softly left the room. +</p> +<a name="chapter_20"></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h3> + CHAPTER XX +</h3> +<p> + I need not tell you how I passed all the time from Nino's leaving me + until he came back in the evening, just as I could see from my window + that the full moon was touching the tower of the castle. I sat looking + out, expecting him, and I was the most anxious professor that ever + found himself in a ridiculous position. Temistocle had come, and you + know what had passed between us, and how we had arranged the plan of + the night. Most heartily did I wish myself in the little amphitheatre + of my lecture-room at the University, instead of being pledged to this + wild plot of my boy's invention. But there was no drawing back. I had + been myself to the little stable next door, where I had kept my + donkey, and visited him daily since my arrival, and I had made sure + that I could have him at a moment's notice by putting on the cumbrous + saddle. Moreover, I had secretly made a bundle of my effects, and had + succeeded in taking it unobserved to the stall, and I tied it to the + pommel. I also told my landlady that I was going away in the morning + with the young gentleman who had visited me, and who, I said, was the + engineer who was going to make a new road to the Serra. This was not + quite true; but lies that hurt no one are not lies at all, as you all + know, and the curiosity of the old woman was satisfied. I also paid + for my lodging, and gave her a franc for herself, which pleased her + very much. I meant to steal away about ten o'clock, or as soon as I + had seen Nino and communicated to him the result of my interview with + Temistocle. +</p> +<p> + The hours seemed endless, in spite of my preparations, which occupied + some time; so I went out when I had eaten my supper, and visited my + ass, and gave him a little bread that was left, thinking it would + strengthen him for the journey. Then I came back to my room, and + watched. Just as the moonlight was shooting over the hill, Nino rode + up the street. I knew him in the dusk by his broad hat, and also + because he was humming a little tune through his nose, as he generally + does. But he rode past my door without looking up, for he meant to put + his mule in the stable for a rest. +</p> +<p> + At last he came in, still humming, and apologised for the delay, + saying he had stopped a few minutes at the inn to get some supper. It + could not have been a very substantial meal that he ate in that short + time. +</p> +<p> + "What did the man say?" was his first question, as he sat down. +</p> +<p> + "He said it should be managed as I desired," I answered. "Of course + I did not mention you. Temistocle—that is his name—will come at + midnight, and take you to the door. There you will find this + inamorata, this lady-love of yours, for whom you are about to turn + the world upside down." +</p> +<p> + "What will you do yourself, Sor Cornelio?" he asked, smiling. +</p> +<p> + "I will go now and get my donkey, and quietly ride up the valley to + the Serra di Sant' Antonio," I said. "I am sure that the signorina + will be more at her ease if I accompany you. I am a very proper + person, you see." +</p> +<p> + "Yes," said Nino, pensively, "you are very proper. And besides, you + can be a witness of the civil marriage." +</p> +<p> + "Diavolo!" I cried, "a marriage! I had not thought of that." +</p> +<p> + "Blood of a dog!" exclaimed Nino, "what on earth did you think of?" He + was angry all in a moment. +</p> +<p> + "Piano,—do not disquiet yourself, my boy. I had not realised that the + wedding was so near,—that is all. Of course you will be married in + Rome, as soon as ever we get there." +</p> +<p> + "We shall be married in Ceprano to-morrow night, by the sindaco, or + the mayor, or whatever civil bishop they support in that God-forsaken + Neopolitan town," said Nino, with great determination. +</p> +<p> + "Oh, very well; manage it as you like. Only be careful that it is + properly done, and have it registered," I added. "Meanwhile, I will + start." +</p> +<p> + "You need not go yet, caro mio; it is not nine o'clock." +</p> +<p> + "How far do you think I ought to go, Nino?" I inquired. To tell the + truth, the idea of going up the Serra alone was not so attractive in + the evening as it had been in the morning light. I thought it would be + very dark among those trees, and I had still a great deal of money + sewn between my waistcoats. +</p> +<p> + "Oh, you need not go so very far," said Nino. "Three or four miles + from the town will be enough. I will wait in the street below, after + eleven." +</p> +<p> + We sat in silence for some time afterwards, and if I was thinking of + the gloomy ride before me, I am sure that Nino was thinking of Hedwig. + Poor fellow! I dare say he was anxious enough to see her, after being + away for two months, and spending so many hours almost within her + reach. He sat low in his chair, and the dismal rays of the solitary + tallow candle cast deep shadows on his thoughtful face. Weary, + perhaps, with waiting and with long travel, yet not sad, but very + hopeful he looked. No fatigue could destroy the strong, manly + expression of his features, and even in that squalid room, by the + miserable light, dressed in his plain gray clothes, he was still the + man of success, who could hold thousands in the suspense of listening + to his slightest utterance. Nino is a wonderful man, and I am + convinced that there is more in him than music, which is well enough + when one can be as great as he, but is not all the world holds. I am + sure that massive head of his was not hammered so square and broad by + the great hands that forge the thunderbolts of nations, merely that he + should be a tenor and an actor, and give pleasure to his fellow-men. I + see there the power and the strength of a broader mastery than that + which bends the ears of a theatre audience. One day we may see it. It + needs the fire of hot times to fuse the elements of greatness in the + crucible of revolution. There is not such another head in all Italy as + Nino's that I have ever seen, and I have seen the best in Rome. He + looked so grand, as he sat there, thinking over the future. I am not + praising his face for its beauty; there is little enough of that, as + women might judge. And besides, you will laugh at my ravings, and say + that a singer is a singer, and nothing more, for all his life. Well, + we shall see in twenty years; you will,—perhaps I shall not. +</p> +<p> + "Nino," I asked, irrelevantly, following my own train of reflection, + "have you ever thought of anything but music—and love?" He roused + himself from his reverie, and stared at me. +</p> +<p> + "How should you be able to guess my thoughts?" he asked at last. +</p> +<p> + "People who have lived much together often read each other's minds. + What were you thinking of?" Nino sighed, and hesitated a moment before + he answered. +</p> +<p> + "I was thinking," he said, "that a musician's destiny, even the + highest, is a poor return for a woman's love." +</p> +<p> + "You see: I was thinking of you, and wondering whether, after all, you + will always be a singer." +</p> +<p> + "That is singular," he answered slowly. "I was reflecting how utterly + small my success on the stage will look to me when I have married + Hedwig von Lira." +</p> +<p> + "There is a larger stage, Nino mio, than yours." +</p> +<p> + "I know it," said he, and fell back in his chair again, dreaming. +</p> +<p> + I fancy that at any other time we might have fallen into conversation + and speculated on the good old-fashioned simile which likens life to a + comedy, or a tragedy, or a farce. But the moment was ill-chosen, and + we were both silent, being much preoccupied with the immediate future. +</p> +<p> + A little before ten I made up my mind to start. I glanced once more + round the room to see if I had left anything. Nino was still sitting + in his chair, his head bent, and his eyes staring at the floor. +</p> +<p> + "Nino," I said, "I am going now. Here is another candle, which you + will need before long, for these tallow things are very short." + Indeed, the one that burned was already guttering low in the old brass + candlestick. Nino rose and shook himself. +</p> +<p> + "My dear friend," he said, taking me by both hands, "you know that I + am grateful to you. I thank you and thank you again with all my heart. + Yes, you ought to go now, for the time is approaching. We shall join + you, if all goes well, by one o'clock." +</p> +<p> + "But, Nino, if you do not come?" +</p> +<p> + "I will come, alone, or with her. If—if I should not be with you by + two in the morning, go on alone, and get out of the way. It will be + because I am caught by that old Prussian devil. Good-bye." He embraced + me affectionately, and I went out. A quarter of an hour later I was + out of the town, picking my way, with my little donkey, over the + desolate path that leads toward the black Serra. The clatter of the + beast's hoofs over the stones kept time with the beatings of my heart, + and I pressed my thin legs close to his thinner sides for company. +</p> +<p> + When Nino was left alone,—and all this I know from him,—he sat again + in the chair and meditated; and although the time of the greatest + event in his life was very near, he was so much absorbed that he was + startled when he looked at his watch and found that it was half-past + eleven. He had barely time to make his preparations. His man was + warned, but was waiting near the inn, not knowing where he was + required, as Nino himself had not been to ascertain the position of + the lower door, fearing lest he might be seen by Benoni. He now + hastily extinguished the light and let himself out of the house + without noise. He found his countryman ready with the mules, ordered + him to come with him, and returned to the house, instructing him to + follow and wait at a short distance from the door he would enter. + Muffled in his cloak, he stood in the street awaiting the messenger + from Hedwig. +</p> +<p> + The crazy old clock of the church tolled the hour, and a man wrapped + in a nondescript garment, between a cloak and an overcoat, stole along + the moonlit street to where Nino stood, in front of my lodging. +</p> +<p> + "Temistocle!" called Nino, in a low voice, as the fellow hesitated. +</p> +<p> + "Excellency"—answered the man, and then drew back. "You are not the + Signor Grandi!" he cried, in alarm. +</p> +<p> + "It is the same thing," replied Nino. "Let us go." +</p> +<p> + "But how is this?" objected Temistocle, seeing a new development. "It + was the Signor Grandi whom I was to conduct." Nino was silent, but + there was a crisp sound in the air as he took a banknote from his + pocket-book. "Diavolo!" muttered the servant, "perhaps it may be + right, after all." Nino gave him the note. +</p> +<p> + "That is my passport," said he. +</p> +<p> + "I have doubts," answered Temistocle, taking it, nevertheless, and + examining it by the moonlight. "It has no <i>visa</i>," he added, with a + cunning leer. Nino gave him another. Then Temistocle had no more + doubts. +</p> +<p> + "I will conduct your excellency," he said. They moved away, and + Temistocle was so deaf that he did not hear the mules and the tramp of + the man who led them not ten paces behind him. +</p> +<p> + Passing round the rock they found themselves in the shadow; a fact + which Nino noted with much satisfaction, for he feared lest someone + might be keeping late hours in the castle. The mere noise of the mules + would attract no attention in a mountain town where the country people + start for their distant work at all hours of the day and night. They + came to the door. Nino called softly to the man with the mules to wait + in the shadow, and Temistocle knocked at the door. The key ground in + the lock from within, but the hands that held it seemed weak. Nino's + heart beat fast. +</p> +<p> + "Temistocle!" cried Hedwig's trembling voice. +</p> +<p> + "What is the matter, your excellency?" asked the servant through the + keyhole, not forgetting his manners. +</p> +<p> + "Oh, I cannot turn the key! What <i>shall</i> I do?" +</p> +<p> + Nino heard, and pushed the servant aside. +</p> +<p> + "Courage, my dear lady," he said, aloud, that she might know his + voice. Hedwig appeared to make a frantic effort, and a little sound of + pain escaped her as she hurt her hands. +</p> +<p> + "Oh, what <i>shall</i> I do!" she cried, piteously. "I locked it last + night, and now I cannot turn the key!" +</p> +<p> + Nino pressed with all his weight against the door. Fortunately it was + strong, or he would have broken it in, and it would have fallen upon + her. But it opened outward, and was heavily bound with iron. Nino + groaned. +</p> +<p> + "Has your excellency a taper?" asked Temistocle suddenly, forcing his + head between Nino's body and the door, in order to be heard. +</p> +<p> + "Yes. I put it out." +</p> +<p> + "And matches?" he asked again. +</p> +<p> + "Yes." +</p> +<p> + "Then let your excellency light the taper, and drop some of the + burning wax on the end of the key. It will be like oil." There was a + silence. The key was withdrawn, and a light appeared through the hole + where it had been. Nino instantly fastened his eye to the aperture, + hoping to catch a glimpse of Hedwig. But he could not see anything + save two white hands trying to cover the key with wax. He withdrew his + eye quickly, as the hands pushed the key through again. +</p> +<p> + Again the lock groaned,—a little sob of effort, another trial, and + the bolts flew back to their sockets. The prudent Temistocle, who did + not wish to be a witness of what followed, pretended to exert gigantic + strength in pulling the door open, and Nino, seeing him, drew back a + moment to let him pass. +</p> +<p> + "Your excellency need only knock at the upper door," he said to + Hedwig, "and I will open. I will watch, lest anyone should enter from + above." +</p> +<p> + "You may watch till the rising of the dead," thought Nino, and Hedwig + stood aside on the narrow step, while Temistocle went up. One instant + more, and Nino was at her feet, kissing the hem of her dress, and + speechless with happiness, for his tears of joy flowed fast. +</p> +<p> + Tenderly Hedwig bent to him, and laid her two hands on his bare head, + pressing down the thick and curly hair with a trembling, passionate + motion. +</p> +<p> + "Signor Cardegna, you must not kneel there,—nay, sir, I know you love + me! Would I have come to you else? Give me your hand—now—do not kiss + it so hard—no—Oh, Nino, my own dear Nino—" +</p> +<p> + What should have followed in her gentle speech is lacking, for many + and most sweet reasons. I need not tell you that the taper was + extinguished, and they stood locked in each other's arms against the + open door, with only the reflection of the moon from the houses + opposite to illuminate their meeting. +</p> +<p> + There was and is to me something divinely perfect and godlike in these + two virgin hearts, each so new to their love, and each so true and + spotless of all other. I am old to say sweet things of loving, but I + cannot help it; for though I never was as they are, I have loved much + in my time. Like our own dear Leopardi, I loved not the woman, but the + angel which is the type of all women, and whom not finding I perished + miserably as to my heart. But in my breast there is still the temple + where the angel dwelt, and the shrine is very fragrant still with the + divine scent of the heavenly roses that were about her. I think, also, + that all those who love in this world must have such a holy place of + worship in their hearts. Sometimes the kingdom of the soul and the + palace of the body are all Love's, made beautiful and rich with rare + offerings of great constancy and faith; and all the countless + creations of transcendent genius, and all the vast aspirations of + far-reaching power, go up in reverent order to do homage at Love's + altar, before they come forth, like giants, to make the great world + tremble and reel in its giddy grooves. +</p> +<p> + And with another it is different. The world is not his; he is the + world's, and all his petty doings have its gaudy stencil blotched upon + them. Yet haply even he has a heart, and somewhere in its fruitless + fallows stands a poor ruin, that never was of much dignity at its + best,—poor and broken, and half choked with weeds and briers; but + even thus the weeds are fragrant herbs, and the briers are wild roses, + of few and misshapen petals, but sweet, nevertheless. For this ruin + was once a shrine too, that his mean hands and sterile soul did try + most ineffectually to build up as a shelter for all that was ever + worthy in him. +</p> +<p> + Now, therefore, I say, Love, and love truly and long,—even for ever; + and if you can do other things well, do them; but if not, at least + learn to do that, for it is a very gentle thing and sweet in the + learning. Some of you laugh at me, and say, Behold, this old-fashioned + driveller, who does not even know that love is no longer in the + fashion! By Saint Peter, Heaven will soon be out of the fashion too, + and Messer Satanas will rake in the just and the unjust alike, so that + he need no longer fast on Fridays, having a more savoury larder! And + no doubt some of you will say that hell is really so antiquated that + it should be put in the museum at the University of Rome, for a + curious old piece of theological furniture. Truth! it is a wonder it + is not worn out with digesting the tough morsels it gets, when people + like you are finally gotten rid of from this world! But it is made of + good material, and it will last, never fear! This is not the gospel of + peace, but it is the gospel of truth. +</p> +<p> + Loving hearts and gentle souls shall rule the world some day, for all + your pestiferous fashions; and old as I am,—I do not mean aged, but + well on in years,—I believe in love still, and I always will. It is + true that it was not given to me to love as Nino loves Hedwig, for + Nino is even now a stronger, sterner man than I. His is the nature + that can never do enough; his the hands that never tire for her; + his the art that would surpass, for her, the stubborn bounds of + possibility. He is never weary of striving to increase her joy of him. + His philosophy is but that. No quibbles of "being" and "not being," or + wretched speculations concerning the object of existence; he has found + the true unity of unities, and he holds it fast. +</p> +<p> + Meanwhile, you object that I am not proceeding with my task, and + telling you more facts, recounting more conversations, and painting + more descriptions. Believe me, this one fact, that to love well is to + be all man can be, is greater than all the things men have ever + learned and classified in dictionaries. It is, moreover, the only fact + that has consistently withstood the ravages of time and social + revolution; it is the wisdom that has opened, as if by magic, the + treasures of genius, of goodness, and of all greatness, for everyone + to see; it is the vital elixir that has made men of striplings, and + giants of cripples, and heroes of the poor in heart though great in + spirit. Nino is an example; for he was but a boy, yet he acted like a + man; a gifted artist in a great city, courted by the noblest, yet he + kept his faith. +</p> +<p> + But when I have taken breath I will tell you what he and Hedwig said + to each other at the gate, and whether at the last she went with him, + or stayed in dismal Fillettino for her father's sake. +</p> +<a name="chapter_21"></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h3> + CHAPTER XXI +</h3> +<p> + "Let us sit upon the step and talk," said Hedwig, gently disengaging + herself from his arms. +</p> +<p> + "The hour is advancing, and it is damp here, my love. You will be + cold," said Nino, protesting against delay as best he could. +</p> +<p> + "No; and I must talk to you." She sat down, but Nino pulled off his + cloak and threw it round her. She motioned him to sit beside her, and + raised the edge of the heavy mantle with her hand. "I think it is big + enough," said she. +</p> +<p> + "I think so," returned Nino; and so the pair sat side by side and hand + in hand, wrapped in the same garment, deep in the shadow of the rocky + doorway. "You got my letter, dearest?" asked Nino, hoping to remind + her of his proposal. +</p> +<p> + "Yes, it reached me safely. Tell me, Nino, have you thought of me in + all this time?" she asked, in her turn; and there was the joy of the + answer already in the question. +</p> +<p> + "As the earth longs for the sun, my love, through all the dark night. + You have never been out of my thoughts. You know that I went away to + find you in Paris, and I went to London, too; and everywhere I sang to + you, hoping you might be somewhere in the great audiences. But you + never went to Paris at all. When I got Professor Grandi's letter + saying that he had discovered you, I had but one night more to sing, + and then I flew to you." +</p> +<p> + "And now you have found me," said Hedwig, looking lovingly up to him + through the shadow. +</p> +<p> + "Yes, dear one; and I have come but just in time. You are in great + trouble now, and I am here to save you from it all. Tell me, what is + it all about?" +</p> +<p> + "Ah, Nino dear, it is very terrible. My father declared I must marry + Baron Benoni, or end my days here, in this dismal castle." Nino ground + his teeth, and drew her even closer to him, so that her head rested on + his shoulder. +</p> +<p> + "Infamous wretch!" he muttered. +</p> +<p> + "Hush, Nino," said Hedwig gently; "he is my father." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, I mean Benoni, of course," exclaimed Nino quickly. +</p> +<p> + "Yes, dear, of course you do," Hedwig responded. "But my father has + changed his mind. He no longer wishes me to marry the Jew." +</p> +<p> + "Why is that, sweetheart?" +</p> +<p> + "Because Benoni was very rude to me to-day, and I told my father, who + said he should leave the house at once." +</p> +<p> + "I hope he will kill the hound!" cried Nino, with rising anger. "And I + am glad your father has still the decency to protect you from insult." +</p> +<p> + "My father is very unkind, Nino mio, but he is an officer and a + gentleman." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, I know what that means,—a gentleman! Fie on your gentleman! Do + you love me less, Hedwig, because I am of the people?" +</p> +<p> + For all answer Hedwig threw her arms round his neck, passionately. +</p> +<p> + "Tell me, love, would you think better of me if I were noble?" +</p> +<p> + "Ah, Nino, how most unkind! Oh, no: I love you, and for your sake I + love the people,—the strong, brave people, whose man you are." +</p> +<p> + "God bless you, dear, for that," he answered tenderly. "But say, will + your father take you back to Rome, now that he has sent away Benoni?" +</p> +<p> + "No, he will not. He swears that I shall stay here until I can forget + you." The fair head rested again on his shoulder. +</p> +<p> + "It appears to me that your most high and noble father has amazingly + done perjury in his oath," remarked Nino, resting his hand on her + hair, from which the thick black veil that had muffled it had slipped + back. "What do you think, love?" +</p> +<p> + "I do not know," replied Hedwig, in a low voice. +</p> +<p> + "Why, dear, you have only to close this door behind you, and you may + laugh at your prison and your jailer!" +</p> +<p> + "Oh, I could not, Nino; and besides, I am weak, and cannot walk very + far. And we should have to walk very far, you know." +</p> +<p> + "You, darling? Do you think I would not and could not bear you from + here to Rome in these arms?" As he spoke he lifted her bodily from the + step. +</p> +<p> + "Oh!" she cried, half frightened, half thrilled, "how strong you are, + Nino!" +</p> +<p> + "Not I; it is my love. But I have beasts close by, waiting even now; + good stout mules, that will think you are only a little silver + butterfly that has flitted down from the moon for them to carry." +</p> +<p> + "Have you done that, dear?" she asked, doubtfully, while her heart + leaped at the thought. "But my father has horses," she added, on a + sudden, in a very anxious voice. +</p> +<p> + "Never fear, my darling. No horse could scratch a foothold in the + place where our mules are as safe as in a meadow. Come, dear heart, + let us be going." But Hedwig hung her head, and did not stir. "What is + it, Hedwig?" he asked, bending down to her and softly stroking her + hair. "Are you afraid of me?" +</p> +<p> + "No,—oh no! Not of you, Nino,—never of you!" She pushed her face + close against him, very lovingly. +</p> +<p> + "What then, dear? Everything is ready for us. Why should we wait?" +</p> +<p> + "Is it quite right, Nino?" +</p> +<p> + "Ah, yes, love, it is right,—the rightest right that ever was! How + can such love as ours be wrong? Have I not to-day implored your father + to relent and let us marry? I met him in the road—" +</p> +<p> + "He told me, dear. It was brave of you. And he frightened me by making + me think he had killed you. Oh, I was so frightened, you do not know!" +</p> +<p> + "Cruel—" Nino checked the rising epithet. "He is your father, dear, + and I must not speak my mind. But since he will not let you go, what + will you do? Will you cease to love me, at his orders?" +</p> +<p> + "Oh, Nino, never, never, never!" +</p> +<p> + "But will you stay here, to die of solitude and slow torture?" He + pleaded passionately. +</p> +<p> + "I—I suppose so, Nino," she said, in a choking sob. +</p> +<p> + "Now, by Heaven, you shall not!" He clasped her in his arms, raising + her suddenly to her feet. Her head fell back upon his shoulder, and + he could see her turn pale to the very lips, for his sight was + softened to the gloom, and her eyes shone like stars of fire at him + from beneath the half-closed lids. But the faint glory of coming + happiness was already on her face, and he knew that the last fight was + fought for love's mastery. +</p> +<p> + "Shall we ever part again, love?" he whispered, close to her. She + shook her head, her starry eyes still fastened on his. +</p> +<p> + "Then come, my own dear one,—come," and he gently drew her with him. + He glanced, naturally enough, at the step where they had sat, and + something dark caught his eye just above it. Holding her hand in one + of his, as though fearful lest she should escape him, he stooped + quickly and snatched the thing from the stair with the other. It was + Hedwig's little bundle. +</p> +<p> + "What have you here?" he asked. "Oh, Hedwig, you said you would not + come?" he added, half laughing, as he discovered what it was. +</p> +<p> + "I was not sure that I should like you, Nino," she said, as he again + put his arm about her. Hedwig started violently. "What is that?" she + exclaimed, in a terrified whisper. +</p> +<p> + "What, love?" +</p> +<p> + "The noise! Oh, Nino, there is someone on the staircase, coming down. + Quick,—quick! Save me, for love's sake!" +</p> +<p> + But Nino had heard, too, the clumsy but rapid groping of heavy feet on + the stairs above, far up in the winding stone steps, but momentarily + coming nearer. Instantly he pushed Hedwig out to the street, tossing + the bundle on the ground, withdrew the heavy key, shut the door, and + double turned the lock from the outside, removing the key again at + once. Nino is a man who acts suddenly and infallibly in great + emergencies. He took Hedwig in his arms, and ran with her to where the + mules were standing, twenty yards away. +</p> +<p> + The stout countryman from Subiaco, who had spent some years in + breaking stones out of consideration for the Government, as a general + confession of the inaccuracy of his views regarding foreigners, was by + no means astonished when he saw Nino appear with a woman in his arms. + Together they seated her on one of the mules, and ran beside her, for + there was no time for Nino to mount. They had to pass the door, and + through all its oaken thickness they could hear the curses and + imprecations of someone inside, and the wood and iron shook with + repeated blows and kicks. The quick-witted muleteer saw the bundle + lying where Nino had tossed it, and he picked it up as he ran. +</p> +<p> + Both Nino and Hedwig recognised Benoni's voice, but neither spoke as + they hurried up the street into the bright moonlight, she riding and + Nino running as he led the other beast at a sharp trot. In five + minutes they were out of the little town, and Nino, looking back, + could see that the broad white way behind them was clear of all + pursuers. Then he himself mounted, and the countryman trotted by his + side. +</p> +<p> + Nino brought his mule close to Hedwig's. She was an accomplished + horsewoman, and had no difficulty in accommodating herself to the + rough country saddle. Their hands met, and the mules, long accustomed + to each other's company, moved so evenly that the gentle bond was not + broken. But although Hedwig's fingers twined lovingly with his, and + she often turned and looked at him from beneath her hanging veil, she + was silent for a long time. Nino respected her mood, half guessing + what she felt, and no sound was heard save an occasional grunt from + the countryman as he urged the beasts, and the regular clatter of the + hoofs on the stony road. +</p> +<p> + To tell the truth, Nino was overwhelmed with anxiety; for his quick + wits had told him that Benoni, infuriated by the check he had + received, would lose no time in remounting the stairs, saddling a + horse, and following them. If only they could reach the steeper part + of the ravine they could bid defiance to any horse that ever galloped, + for Benoni must inevitably come to grief if he attempted a pursuit + into the desolate Serra. He saw that Hedwig had not apprehended the + danger, when once the baron was stopped by the door, conceiving in + her heart the impression that he was a prisoner in his own trap. + Nevertheless, they urged the beasts onward hotly, if one may use the + word of the long, heavy trot of a mountain mule. The sturdy countryman + never paused or gasped for breath, keeping pace in a steady, + determined fashion. +</p> +<p> + But they need not have been disturbed, for Hedwig's guess was nearer + the truth than Nino's reasoning. They knew it later, when Temistocle + found them in Rome, and I may as well tell you how it happened. When + he reached the head of the staircase, he took the key from the one + side to the other, locked the door, as agreed, and sat down to wait + for Hedwig's rap. He indeed suspected that it would never come, for he + had only pretended not to see the mules; but the prospect of further + bribes made him anxious not to lose sight of his mistress, and + certainly not to disobey her, in case she really returned. The + staircase opened into the foot of the tower, a broad stone chamber, + with unglazed windows. +</p> +<p> + Temistocle sat himself down to wait on an old bench that had been put + there, and the light of the full moon made the place as bright as day. + Now the lock on the door was rusty, like the one below, and creaked + loudly every time it was turned. But Temistocle fancied it would not + be heard in the great building, and felt quite safe. Sitting there, he + nodded and fell asleep, tired with the watching. +</p> +<p> + Benoni had probably passed a fiery half hour with the count. But I + have no means of knowing what was said on either side; at all events, + he was in the castle still, and, what is more, he was awake. When + Hedwig opened the upper door and closed it behind her, the sound was + distinctly audible to his quick ears, and he probably listened and + speculated, and finally yielded to his curiosity. +</p> +<p> + However that may have been, he found Temistocle asleep in the tower + basement, saw the key in the lock, guessed whence the noise had come, + and turned it. The movement woke Temistocle, who started to his feet, + and recognised the tall figure of the baron just entering the door. + Too much confused for reflection, he called aloud, and the baron + disappeared down the stairs. Temistocle listened at the top, heard + distinctly the shutting and locking of the lower door, and a moment + afterwards Benoni's voice, swearing in every language at once, came + echoing up. +</p> +<p> + "They have escaped," said Temistocle to himself. "If I am not + mistaken, I had better do the same." With that he locked the upper + door, put the key in his pocket, and departed on tiptoe. Having his + hat and his overcoat with him, and his money in his pocket, he + determined to leave the baron shut up in the staircase. He softly left + the castle by the front gate, of which he knew the tricks, and he was + not heard of for several weeks afterwards. As for Benoni, he was + completely caught, and probably spent the remainder of the night in + trying to wake the inmates of the building. So you see that Nino need + not have been so much disturbed after all. +</p> +<p> + While these things were happening Nino and Hedwig got fairly away, and + no one but a mountaineer of the district could possibly have overtaken + them. Just as they reached the place where the valley suddenly narrows + to a gorge, the countryman spoke. It was the first word that had been + uttered by any of the party in an hour, so great had been their haste + and anxiety. +</p> +<p> + "I see a man with a beast," he said, shortly. +</p> +<p> + "So do I," answered Nino. "I expect to meet a friend here." Then he + turned to Hedwig. "Dear one," he said, "we are to have a companion + now, who says he is a very proper person." +</p> +<p> + "A companion?" repeated Hedwig, anxiously. +</p> +<p> + "Yes. We are to have the society of no less a person than the + Professor Cornelio Grandi, of the University of Rome. He will go with + us, and be a witness." +</p> +<p> + "Yes," said Hedwig, expecting more, "a witness—" +</p> +<p> + "A witness of our marriage, dear lady; I trust to-morrow,—or to-day, + since midnight is past." He leaned far over his saddle-bow, as the + mules clambered up the rough place. Her hand went out to him, and he + took it. They were so near that I could see them. He dropped the reins + and bared his head, and so, riding, he bent himself still farther, and + pressed his lips upon her hand: and that was all the marriage contract + that was sealed between them. But it was enough. +</p> +<p> + There I sat, upon a stone in the moonlight, just below the trees, + waiting for them. And there I had been for two mortal hours or more, + left to meditate upon the follies of professors in general and of + myself in particular. I was beginning to wonder whether Nino would + come at all, and I can tell you I was glad to see the little caravan. + Ugh! it is an ugly place to be alone in. +</p> +<p> + They rode up, and I went forward to meet them. +</p> +<p> + "Nino mio," said I, "you have made me pass a terrible time here. Thank + Heaven, you are come; and the contessina, too! Your most humble + servant, signorina." I bowed low and Hedwig bent a little forward, but + the moon was just behind her, and I could not see her face. +</p> +<p> + "I did not think we should meet so soon, Signor Grandi. But I am very + glad." There was a sweet shyness in the little speech that touched me. + I am sure she was afraid that it was not yet quite right, or at least + that there should be some other lady in the party. +</p> +<p> + "Courage, Messer Cornelio," said Nino. "Mount your donkey, and let us + be on our way." +</p> +<p> + "Is not the contessina tired?" I inquired. "You might surely rest a + little here." +</p> +<p> + "Caro mio," answered Nino, "we must be safe at the top of the pass + before we rest. We were so unfortunate as to wake his excellency the + Baron Benoni out of some sweet dream or other, and perhaps he is not + far behind us." +</p> +<p> + An encounter with the furious Jew was not precisely attractive to me, + and I was on my donkey before you could count a score. I suggested to + Nino that it would be wiser if the countryman led the way through the + woods, and I followed him. Then the contessina would be behind me, + and Nino would bring up the rear. It occurred to me that the mules + might outstrip my donkey if I went last, and so I might be left to + face the attack, if any came; whereas, if I were in front, the others + could not go any faster than I. +</p> +<a name="chapter_22"></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h3> + CHAPTER XXII +</h3> +<p> + The gorge rises steep and precipitous between the lofty mountains on + both sides, and it is fortunate that we had some light from the moon, + which was still high at two o'clock, being at the full. +</p> +<p> + It is a ghastly place enough. In the days of the Papal States the + Serra di Sant' Antonio, as it is called, was the shortest passage to + the kingdom of Naples, and the frontier line ran across its summit. To + pass from one dominion to the other it would be necessary to go out of + the way some forty or fifty miles, perhaps, unless one took this + route; and the natural consequence was that outlaws, smugglers, + political fugitives, and all such manner of men, found it a great + convenience. Soldiers were stationed in Fillettino and on the other + side, to check illicit traffic and brigandage, and many were the + fights that were fought among these giant beeches. +</p> +<p> + The trees are of primeval dimensions, for no one has yet been + enterprising enough to attempt to fell the timber. The gorge is so + steep, and in many places so abruptly precipitous, that the logs could + never be removed; and so they have grown undisturbed for hundreds of + years, rotting and falling away as they stand. The beech is a lordly + tree, with its great smooth trunk and its spreading branches, and + though it never reaches the size of the chestnut, it is far more + beautiful and long-lived. +</p> +<p> + Here and there, at every hundred yards or so, it seemed to me, the + countryman would touch his hat and cross himself as he clambered up + the rocky path, and then I did likewise; for there was always some + rude cross or rough attempt at the inscription of a name at such + spots, which marked where a man had met his untimely end. Sometimes + the moonbeams struggled through the branches, still bare of leaves, + and fell on a few bold initials and a date; and sometimes we came to a + broad ledge where no trees were, but only a couple of black sticks + tied at right angles for a cross. It was a dismal place, and the owls + hooted at us. +</p> +<p> + Besides, it grew intensely cold towards morning, so that the + countryman wanted to stop and make a fire to warm ourselves. Though it + was the end of March, the ground was frozen as hard as any stone + wherever it was free from rocks. But Nino dismounted, and insisted + upon wrapping his cloak about Hedwig; and then he walked, for fear of + catching cold, and the countryman mounted his mule and clambered away + in front. In this way Hedwig and Nino lagged behind, conversing in low + tones that sounded very soft; and when I looked round, I could see how + he held his hand on her saddle and supported her in the rough places. + Poor child, who would have thought she could bear such terrible work! + But she had the blood of a soldierly old race in her veins, and would + have struggled on silently till she died. +</p> +<p> + I think it would be useless to describe every stone on the desolate + journey, but when the morning dawned we were at the top, and we found + the descent much easier. The rosy streaks came first, quite suddenly, + and in a few minutes the sun was up, and the eventful night was past. + I was never so glad to get rid of a night in my life. It is fortunate + that I am so thin and light, for I could never have reached the + high-road alive had I been as fat as De Pretis is; and certainly the + little donkey would have died by the way. He was quite as thin when I + sold him again as when I bought him, a fortnight before, in spite of + the bread I had given him. +</p> +<p> + Hedwig drew her veil close about her face as the daylight broke, for + she would not let Nino see how pale and tired she was. But when at + last we were in the broad, fertile valley which marks the beginning of + the old kingdom of Naples, we reached a village where there was an + inn, and Nino turned everyone out of the best room with a high hand, + and had a couch of some sort spread for Hedwig. He himself walked up + and down outside the door for five whole hours, lest she should be + disturbed in her sleep. As for me I lay, on a bench, rolled in my + cloak, and slept as I have not slept since I was twenty. +</p> +<p> + Nino knew that the danger of pursuit was past now, and that the first + thing necessary was to give Hedwig rest; for she was so tired that she + could not eat, though there were very good eggs to be had, of which I + ate three, and drank some wine, which does not compare to that on the + Roman side. +</p> +<p> + The sturdy man from Subiaco seemed like iron, for he ate sparingly and + drank less, and went out into the village to secure a conveyance and + to inquire the nearest way to Ceprano. +</p> +<p> + But when, as I have said, Nino had guarded Hedwig's door for five + hours he woke me from my sleep, and by that time it was about two in + the afternoon. +</p> +<p> + "Hi, Messer Cornelio! wake up!" he cried pulling my arm. And I rubbed + my eyes. +</p> +<p> + "What do you want, Nino?" I inquired. +</p> +<p> + "I want to be married immediately," he replied, still pulling at my + elbow. +</p> +<p> + "Well, pumpkin-head," I said angrily, "marry, then, in Heaven's name, + and let me sleep! I do not want to marry anybody." +</p> +<p> + "But I do," retorted Nino, sitting down on the bench and laying a hand + on my shoulder. He could still see Hedwig's door from where he sat. +</p> +<p> + "In this place?" I asked. "Are you serious?" +</p> +<p> + "Perfectly. This is a town of some size, and there must be a mayor + here who marries people when they take the fancy." +</p> +<p> + "Diavolo! I suppose so," I assented. +</p> +<p> + "A sindaco,—there must be one, surely." +</p> +<p> + "Very well, go and find him, good-for-nothing!" I exclaimed. +</p> +<p> + "But I cannot go away and leave that door until she wakes," he + objected. "Dear Messer Cornelio, you have done so much for me, and are + so kind,—will you not go out and find the sindaco, and bring him here + to marry us?" +</p> +<p> + "Nino," I said, gravely, "the ass is a patient beast, and very + intelligent, but there is a limit to his capabilities. So long as it + is merely a question of doing things you cannot do, very well. But if + it comes to this, that I must find not only the bride, but also the + mayor and the priest, I say, with good Pius IX.,—rest his soul,—<i>non + possumus</i>." Nino laughed. He could afford to laugh now. +</p> +<p> + "Messer Cornelio, a child could tell you have been asleep. I never + heard such a string of disconnected sentences in my life. Come, be + kind, and get me a mayor that I may be married." +</p> +<p> + "I tell you I will not," I cried, stubbornly. "Go yourself." +</p> +<p> + "But I cannot leave the door. If anything should happen to her—" +</p> +<p> + "Macchè! What should happen to her, pray? I will put my bench across + the door, and sit there till you come back." +</p> +<p> + "I am not quite sure—" he began. +</p> +<p> + "Idiot!" I exclaimed. +</p> +<p> + "Well, let us see how it looks." And with that he ousted me from my + bench, and carried it, walking on tiptoe, to the entrance of Hedwig's + room. Then he placed it across the door. "Now sit down," he said, + authoritatively, but in a whisper; and I took my place in the middle + of the long seat. He stood back and looked at me with an artistic + squint. +</p> +<p> + "You look so proper," he said, "that I am sure nobody will think of + trying the door while you sit there. Will you remain till I come + back?" +</p> +<p> + "Like Saint Peter in his chair," I whispered, for I wanted to get rid + of him. +</p> +<p> + "Well, then, I must risk whatever may happen, and leave you here." So + he went away. Now I ask you if this was not a ridiculous position. But + I had discovered, in the course of my fortnight's wanderings, that I + was really something of a philosopher in practice, and I am proud to + say that on this occasion I smoked in absolute indifference to the + absurdity of the thing. People came and stood at a distance in the + passage, and eyed me curiously. But they knew I belonged to the party + of foreigners, and doubtless they supposed it was the custom of my + country to guard doors in that way. +</p> +<p> + An hour passed, and I heard Hedwig stirring in the room. After a time + she came close to the door and put her hand on the lock, so that it + began to rattle, but she hesitated, and went away again. I once more + heard her moving about. Then I heard her open the window, and at last + she came boldly and opened the door, which turned inward. I sat like a + rock, not knowing whether Nino would like me to turn round and look. +</p> +<p> + "Signor Grandi!" she cried at last in laughing tones. +</p> +<p> + "Yes, signorina!" I replied, respectfully, without moving. She + hesitated. +</p> +<p> + "What are you doing in that strange position?" she asked. +</p> +<p> + "I am mounting guard," I answered. "I promised Nino that I would sit + here till he came back." She fairly laughed now, and it was the most + airy, silvery laugh in the world. +</p> +<p> + "But why do you not look at me?" +</p> +<p> + "I am not sure that Nino would let me," said I. "I promised not to + move, and I will keep my promise." +</p> +<p> + "Will you let me out?" she asked, struggling with her merriment. +</p> +<p> + "By no means," I answered; "anymore than I would let anybody in." +</p> +<p> + "Then we must make the best of it," said she. "But I will bring a + chair and sit down, while you tell me the news." +</p> +<p> + "Will you assume all responsibility toward Nino, signorina, if I turn + so that I can see you?" I asked, as she sat down. +</p> +<p> + "I will say that I positively ordered you to do so," she answered, + gaily. "Now look, and tell me where Signor Cardegna is gone." +</p> +<p> + I looked indeed, and it was long before I looked away. The rest, the + freedom, and the happiness had done their work quickly, in spite of + all the dreadful anxiety and fatigue. The fresh, transparent colour + was in her cheeks, and her blue eyes were clear and bright. The statue + had been through the fire, and was made a living thing, beautiful, and + breathing, and real. +</p> +<p> + "Tell me," she said, the light dancing in her eyes, "where is he + gone?" +</p> +<p> + "He is gone to find the mayor of this imposing capital," I replied. + Hedwig suddenly blushed, and turned her glistening eyes away. She was + beautiful so. +</p> +<p> + "Are you very tired, signorina? I ought not to ask the question, for + you look as though you had never been tired in your life." +</p> +<p> + There is no saying what foolish speeches I might have made had not + Nino returned. He was radiant, and I anticipated that he must have + succeeded in his errand. +</p> +<p> + "Ha! Messer Cornelio, is this the way you keep watch?" he cried. +</p> +<p> + "I found him here," said Hedwig, shyly, "and he would not even glance + at me until I positively insisted upon it." Nino laughed, as he would + have laughed at most things in that moment, for sheer superfluity of + happiness. +</p> +<p> + "Signorina," he said, "would it be agreeable to you to walk for a few + minutes after your sleep? The weather is wonderfully fine, and I am + sure you owe it to the world to show the roses which rest has given + you." +</p> +<p> + Hedwig blushed softly, and I rose and went away, conceiving that I had + kept watch long enough. But Nino called after me, as he moved the + bench from the door. +</p> +<p> + "Messer Cornelio, will you not come with us? Surely you need a walk + very much, and we can ill spare your company. My lady, let me offer + you my arm." +</p> +<p> + In this manner we left the inn, a wedding procession which could not + have been much smaller, and the singing of an old woman, who sat with + her distaff in front of her house, was the wedding march. Nino seemed + in no great haste, I thought, and I let them walk as they would, while + I kept soberly in the middle of the road, a little way behind. +</p> +<p> + It was not far that we had to go, however, and soon we came to a large + brick house, with an uncommonly small door, over which hung a wooden + shield with the arms of Italy brightly painted in green and red and + white. +</p> +<p> + Nino and Hedwig entered arm in arm, and I slunk guiltily in after + them. Hedwig had drawn her veil, which was the only head-dress she + had, close about her face. +</p> +<p> + In a quarter of an hour the little ceremony was over, and the + registers were signed by us all. Nino also got a stamped certificate, + which he put very carefully in his pocket-book. I never knew what it + cost Nino to overcome the scruples of the sindaco about marrying a + strange couple from Rome in that outlandish place, where the peasants + stared at us as though we had been the most unnatural curiosities, and + even the pigs in the street jogged sullenly out of our way as though + not recognising that we were human. +</p> +<p> + At all events, the thing was done, and Hedwig von Lira became for the + rest of her life Edvigia Cardegna. And I felt very guilty. The pair + went down the steps of the house together in front of me, and stopped + as they reached the street; forgetting my presence, I presume. They + had not forgotten me so long as I was needed to be of use to them; + but I must not complain. +</p> +<p> + "We can face the world together now, my dear lady," said Nino, as he + drew her little hand through his arm. She looked up at him, and I + could see her side face. I shall never forget the expression. There + was in it something I really never saw before, which made me feel as + though I were in church; and I knew then that there was no wrong in + helping such love as that to its fulfilment. +</p> +<p> + By the activity of the man from Subiaco a curious conveyance was ready + for us, being something between a gig and a cart, and a couple of + strong horses were hired for the long drive. The countryman, who had + grown rich in the last three days, offered to buy the thin little ass + which had carried me so far and so well. He observed that he was blind + of one eye, which I had never found out, and I do not believe it was + true. The way he showed it was by snapping his fingers close to the + eye in question. The donkey winked, and the countryman said that if + the eye were good the beast would see that the noise was made by the + fingers, and would not be frightened, and would therefore not wink. +</p> +<p> + "You see," said he, "he thinks it is a whip cracking, and so he is + afraid." +</p> +<p> + "Do donkeys always wink when they are frightened?" I inquired. "It is + very interesting." +</p> +<p> + "Yes," said the countryman, "they mostly do." At all events, I was + obliged to take the man's own price, which was little enough,—not a + third of what I had given. +</p> +<p> + The roads were good, and the long and the short of the matter, without + any more details, is that we reached Rome very early the next + morning, having caught the night train from Naples. Hedwig slept most + of the time in the carriage and all the time in the train, while Nino, + who never seemed to tire or to need sleep, sat watching her with wide, + happy eyes. But perhaps he slept a little too, for I did, and I cannot + answer for his wakefulness through every minute of the night. +</p> +<p> + Once I asked him what he intended to do in Rome. +</p> +<p> + "We will go to the hotel Costanzi," he answered, which is a + foreigners' resort. And if she is rested enough we will come down to + you, and see what we can do about being married properly in church by + the old curato." +</p> +<p> + "The marriage by the sindaco is perfectly legal," I remarked. +</p> +<p> + "It is a legal contract, but it is not a marriage that pleases me," he + said, gravely. +</p> +<p> + "But, caro mio, without offence, your bride is a Protestant, a + Lutheran; not to mince matters, a heretic. They will make objections." +</p> +<p> + "She is an angel," said Nino, with great conviction. +</p> +<p> + "But the angels neither marry nor are given in marriage," I objected, + arguing the point to pass the time. +</p> +<p> + "What do you make of it, then, Messer Cornelio?" he asked, with a + smile. +</p> +<p> + "Why, as a heretic she ought to burn, and as an angel she ought not to + marry." +</p> +<p> + "It is better to marry than to burn," retorted Nino, triumphantly. +</p> +<p> + "Diavolo! Have you had St. Paul for a tutor?" I asked, for I knew the + quotation, being fond of Greek. +</p> +<p> + "I heard a preacher cite it once at the GesĂą, and I thought it a good + saying." +</p> +<p> + Early in the morning we rolled into the great station of Rome, and + took an affectionate leave of each other, with the promise that Hedwig + and Nino would visit me in the course of the day. I saw them into a + carriage, with Nino's small portmanteau, and Hedwig's bundle, and then + mounted a modest omnibus that runs from the termini to St. Peter's, + and goes very near my house. +</p> +<p> + All the bells were ringing gladly, as if to welcome us, for it was + Easter morning; and though it is not so kept as it used to be, it is + nevertheless a great feast. Besides, the spring was at hand, and the + acacia-trees in the great square were budding, though everything was + still so backward in the hills. April was at hand, which the + foreigners think is our best month; but I prefer June and July, when + the weather is warm, and the music plays in the Piazza Colonna of an + evening. For all that, April is a glad time, after the disagreeable + winter. +</p> +<p> + There was with me much peace on that Easter day, for I felt that my + dear boy was safe after all his troubles. At least he was safe from + anything that could be done to part him from Hedwig; for the civil + laws are binding, and Hedwig was of the age when a young woman is + legally free to marry whom she pleases. Of course old Lira might still + make himself disagreeable, but I fancied him too much a man of the + world to desire a scandal, when no good could follow. The one shadow + in the future was the anger of Benoni, who would be certain to seek + some kind of revenge for the repulse he had suffered. I was still + ignorant of his whereabouts, not yet knowing what I knew long + afterwards, and have told you, because otherwise you would have been + as much in the dark as he was himself, when Temistocle cunningly + turned the lock of the staircase door and left him to his curses and + his meditations. I have had much secret joy in thinking what a + wretched night he must have passed there, and how his long limbs must + have ached with sitting about on the stones, and how hoarse he must + have been from the dampness and the swearing. +</p> +<p> + I reached home, the dear old number twenty-seven in Santa Catarina dei + Funari, by half-past seven, or even earlier; and I was glad when I + rang the bell on the landing, and called through the keyhole in my + impatience. +</p> +<p> + "Mariuccia, Mariuccia, come quickly! It is I!" I cried. +</p> +<p> + "O Madonna mia!' I heard her exclaim, and there was a tremendous + clatter, as she dropped the coffee-pot. She was doubtless brewing + herself a quiet cup with my best Porto-Rico, which I do not allow her + to use. She thought I was never coming back, the cunning old hag! +</p> +<p> + "Dio mio, Signor Professore! A good Easter to you!" she cried, as I + heard the flat pattering of her old feet inside, running to the door. + "I thought the wolves had eaten you, padrone mio!" And at last she let + me in. +</p> +<a name="chapter_23"></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h3> + CHAPTER XXIII +</h3> +<p> + "A tall gentleman came here late last night, Signor Professore," said + Mariuccia, as I sat down in the old green arm-chair. "He seemed very + angry about something, and said he must positively see you." The idea + of Benoni flashed uneasily across my brain. +</p> +<p> + "Was he the grave signore who came a few days before I left?" I asked. +</p> +<p> + "Heaven preserve us!" ejaculated Mariuccia. "This one was much older, + and seemed to be lame; for when he tried to shake his stick at me, he + could not stand without it. He looked like one of the old Swiss guards + at Palazzo." By which she meant the Vatican, as you know. +</p> +<p> + "It must have been the count," I said, thinking aloud. +</p> +<p> + "A count! A pretty sort of count, indeed, to come waking people from + their beds in the night! He had not even a high hat like the one you + wear when you go to the University. A count, indeed!" +</p> +<p> + "Go and make me some good coffee, Mariuccia," I said, eying her + severely to show I suspected her of having used mine; "and be careful + to make it of my best Porto-Rico, if you have any left, without any + chicory." +</p> +<p> + "A count, indeed!" she muttered angrily as she hobbled away, not in + the least heeding my last remark, which I believed to be withering. +</p> +<p> + I had not much time for reflection that morning. My old clothes were + in tatters, and the others looked very fine by contrast, so that when + I had made my toilet I felt better able to show myself to the + distinguished company I expected. I had seen so much extraordinary + endurance in Nino and Hedwig during the last two or three days that I + was prepared to see them appear at any moment, brushed and curled and + ready for anything. The visit of the count, however, had seriously + disturbed me, and I hardly knew what to look for from him. As it + turned out, I had not long to wait. +</p> +<p> + I was resting myself in the arm-chair, and smoking one of those + infamous cigars that nearly suffocate me, just for company, and I was + composing in my mind a letter to the authorities of the University, + requesting that I might begin to lecture again. I did not find out + until later that I need not have written to them at all when I went + away, as ten days are always allowed at Easter, in any case. It is + just like my forgetfulness, to have made such a mistake. I really only + missed four lectures. But my composition was interrupted by the + door-bell, and my heart sank in my breast. Mariuccia opened, and I + knew by the sound of the stick on the bricks that the lame count had + come to wreak his vengeance. +</p> +<p> + Being much frightened, I was very polite, and bowed a great many times + as he came toward me. It was he, looking much the same as ever, wooden + and grizzly. +</p> +<p> + "I am much honoured, sir," I began, "by seeing you here." +</p> +<p> + "You are Signor Grandi?" he inquired, with a stiff bow. +</p> +<p> + "The same, Signor Conte, and very much at your service," I answered, + rubbing my hands together to give myself an air of satisfaction. +</p> +<p> + "Let us not waste time," he said, severely but not roughly. "I have + come to you on business. My daughter has disappeared with your son, or + whatever relation the Signor Giovanni Cardegna is to you." +</p> +<p> + "He is no relation, Signor Conte. He was an orphan, and I—" +</p> +<p> + "It is the same," he interrupted. "You are responsible for his + doings." +</p> +<p> + I responsible! Good heavens, had I not done all in my power to prevent + the rashness of that hot-headed boy? +</p> +<p> + "Will you not sit down, sir?" I said, moving a chair for him. He took + the seat rather reluctantly. +</p> +<p> + "You do not seem much astonished at what I tell you," he remarked. "It + is evident that you are in the plot." +</p> +<p> + "Unless you will inform me of what you know, Signor Conte," I replied + with urbanity, "I cannot see how I can be of service to you." +</p> +<p> + "On the contrary," said he, "I am the person to ask questions. I wake + up in the morning and find my daughter gone. I naturally inquire where + she is." +</p> +<p> + "Most naturally, as you say, sir. I would do the same." +</p> +<p> + "And you, also very naturally, answer my questions," he continued + severely. +</p> +<p> + "In that case, sir," I replied, "I would call to your attention the + fact that you have asked but one question,—whether I were Signor + Grandi. I answered that in the affirmative." You see I was + apprehensive of what he might do, and desired to gain time. But he + began to lose his temper. +</p> +<p> + "I have no patience with you Italians," he said, gruffly; "you bandy + words and play with them as if you enjoyed it." +</p> +<p> + Diavolo, thought I, he is angry at my silence. What will he be if I + speak? +</p> +<p> + "What do you wish to know, Signor Conte?" I inquired, in suave tones. +</p> +<p> + "I wish to know where my daughter is. Where is she? Do you understand? + I am asking a question now, and you cannot deny it." +</p> +<p> + I was sitting in front of him, but I rose and pretended to shut the + door, thus putting the table and the end of the piano between us, + before I answered. +</p> +<p> + "She is in Rome, Signor Conte," I said. +</p> +<p> + "With Cardegna?" he asked, not betraying any emotion. +</p> +<p> + "Yes." +</p> +<p> + "Very well. I will have them arrested at once. That is all I wanted." + He put his crutch-stick to the floor as though about to rise. Seeing + that his anger was not turned against me, I grew bold. +</p> +<p> + "You had better not do that," I mildly observed, across the table. +</p> +<p> + "And why not, sir?" he asked, quickly, hesitating whether to get upon + his feet or to remain seated. +</p> +<p> + "Because they are married already," I answered, retreating toward the + door. But there was no need for flight. He sank back in the chair, and + the stick fell from his hands upon the bricks with a loud rattle. Poor + old man! I thought he was quite overcome by the news I had + communicated. He sat staring at the window, his hands lying idly on + his knees. I moved to come toward him, but he raised one hand and + began to twirl his great gray moustache fiercely; whereat I resumed my + former position of safety. +</p> +<p> + "How do you know this?" he demanded on a sudden. +</p> +<p> + "I was present at the civil marriage yesterday," I answered, feeling + very much scared. He began to notice my manoeuvre. +</p> +<p> + "You need not be so frightened," he said, coldly. "It would be no use + to kill any of you now, though I would like to." +</p> +<p> + "I assure you that no one ever frightened me in my own house, sir," I + answered. I think my voice must have sounded very bold, for he did not + laugh at me. +</p> +<p> + "I suppose it is irrevocable," he said, as if to himself. +</p> +<p> + "Oh, yes—perfectly irrevocable," I answered, promptly. "They are + married, and have come back to Rome. They are at the Hotel Costanzi. I + am sure that Nino would give you every explanation." +</p> +<p> + "Who is Nino?" he asked. +</p> +<p> + "Nino Cardegna, of course—" +</p> +<p> + "And do you foolishly imagine that I am going to ask him to explain + why he took upon himself to carry away my daughter?" The question was + scornful enough. +</p> +<p> + "Signor Conte," I protested, "you would do well to see them, for she + is your daughter, after all." +</p> +<p> + "She is not my daughter any longer," growled the count. "She is + married to a singer, a tenor, an Italian with curls and lies and + grins, as you all have. Fie!" And he pulled his moustache again. +</p> +<p> + "A singer," said I, "if you like, but a great singer, and an honest + man." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, I did not come here to listen to your praises of that scoundrel!" + he exclaimed, hotly. "I have seen enough of him to be sick of him." +</p> +<p> + "I wish he were in this room to hear you call him by such names," I + said; for I began to grow angry, as I sometimes do, and then my fear + grows small and my heart grows big. +</p> +<p> + "Ah!" said he, ironically. "And pray, what would he do to me?" +</p> +<p> + "He would probably ask you again for that pistol you refused to lend + him the other day." I thought I might as well show that I knew all + about the meeting in the road. But Lira laughed grimly, and the idea + of a fight seemed to please him. +</p> +<p> + "I would not refuse it this time. In fact, since you mention it, I + think I will go and offer it to him now. Do you think I should be + justified, Master Censor?" +</p> +<p> + "No," said I, coming forward and facing him. "But if you like you can + fight me. I am your own age, and a better match." I would have fought + him then and there, with the chairs, if he had liked. +</p> +<p> + "Why should I fight you?" he inquired, in some astonishment. "You + strike me as a very peaceable person indeed." +</p> +<p> + "Diavolo! do you expect me to stand quietly and hear you call my boy a + scoundrel? What do you take me for, signore? Do you know that I am the + last of the Conti Grandi, and as noble as any of you, and as fit to + fight, though my hair is gray?" +</p> +<p> + "I knew, indeed, that one member of that illustrious family survived + in Rome," he answered, gravely, "but I was not aware that you were he. + I am glad to make your acquaintance, and I sincerely wish that you + were the father of the young man who has married my daughter. If you + were, I would be ready to arrange matters." He looked at me + searchingly. +</p> +<p> + "Unfortunately, I am not any relation of his," I answered. "His father + and mother were peasants on my estate of Serveti, when it still was + mine. They died when he was a baby, and I took care of him and + educated him." +</p> +<p> + "Yes, he is well educated," reflected the count, "for I examined him + myself. Let us talk no more about fighting. You are quite sure that + the marriage is legal?" +</p> +<p> + "Quite certain. You can do nothing, and any attempt would be a useless + scandal. Besides, they are so happy, you do not know." +</p> +<p> + "So happy, are they? Do you think I am happy too? +</p> +<p> + "A man has every reason to be so, when his daughter marries an honest + man. It is a piece of good luck that does not happen often." +</p> +<p> + "Probably from the scarcity of daughters who are willing to drive + their fathers to distraction by their disobedience and contempt of + authority,'" he said, savagely. +</p> +<p> + "No,—from the scarcity of honest men," I said. "Nino is a very honest + man. You may go from one end of Italy to the other and not meet one + like him." +</p> +<p> + "I sincerely hope so," growled Lira. "Otherwise Italy would be as + wholly unredeemed and unredeemable as you pretend that some parts of + it are now. But I will tell you, Conte Grandi, you cannot walk across + the street, in my country, without meeting a dozen men who would + tremble at the idea of such depravity as an elopement." +</p> +<p> + "Our ideas of honesty differ, sir," I replied. "When a man loves a + woman, I consider it honest in him to act as though he did, and not to + go and marry another for consolation, beating her with a thick stick + whenever he chances to think of the first. That seems to be the + northern idea of domestic felicity." Lira laughed gruffly, supposing + that my picture was meant for a jest. "I am glad you are amused," I + added. +</p> +<p> + "Upon my honour, sir," he replied, "you are so vastly amusing that I + am half inclined to forgive my daughter's rashness, for the sake of + enjoying your company. First you entrench yourself behind your + furniture; then you propose to fight me; and now you give me the most + original views upon love and marriage that I ever heard. Indeed I have + cause to be amused." +</p> +<p> + "I am happy to oblige you," I said, tartly, for I did not like his + laughter. "So long as you confine your amusement to me, I am + satisfied; but pray avoid using any objectionable language about + Nino." +</p> +<p> + "Then my only course is to avoid the subject?" +</p> +<p> + "Precisely," I replied, with a good deal of dignity. +</p> +<p> + "In that case I will go," he said. I was immensely relieved, for his + presence was most unpleasant, as you may readily guess. He got upon + his feet, and I showed him to the door, with all courtesy. I expected + that he would say something about the future before leaving me, but I + was mistaken. He bowed in silence, and stumped down the steps with his + stick. +</p> +<p> + I sank into my arm-chair with a great sigh of relief, for I felt that, + for me at least, the worst was over. I had faced the infuriated + father, and I might now face anybody with the consciousness of power. + I always feel conscious of great power when danger is past. Once more + I lit my cigar, and stretched myself out to take some rest. The + constant strain on the nerves was becoming very wearing, and I knew + very well that on the morrow I should need bleeding and mallows tea. + Hardly was I settled and comfortable when I heard that dreadful bell + again. +</p> +<p> + "This is the day of the resurrection indeed," cried Mariuccia + frantically from the kitchen. And she hurried to the door. But I + cannot describe to you the screams of joy and the strange sounds, + between laughing and crying, that her leathern throat produced when + she found Nino and Hedwig on the landing, waiting for admission. And + when Nino explained that he had been married, and that this beautiful + lady with the bright eyes and the golden hair was his wife, the old + woman fairly gave way, and sat upon a chair in an agony of amazement + and admiration. But the pair came toward me, and I met them with a + light heart. +</p> +<p> + "Nino," said Hedwig, "we have not been nearly grateful enough to + Signor Grandi for all he has done. I have been very selfish," she + said, penitently turning to me. +</p> +<p> + "Ah no, signora," I replied,—for she was married now, and no longer + "signorina,"—"it is never selfish of such as you to let an old man do + you service. You have made me very happy." And then I embraced Nino, + and Hedwig gave me her hand, which I kissed in the old fashion. +</p> +<p> + "And so this is your old home, Nino?" said Hedwig presently, looking + about her, and touching the things in the room, as a woman will when + she makes acquaintance with a place she has often heard of. "What a + dear room it is! I wish we could live here!" How very soon a woman + learns that "we" that means so much! It is never forgotten, even when + the love that bred it is dead and cold. +</p> +<p> + "Yes," I said, for Nino seemed so enraptured, as he watched her, that + he could not speak. "And there is the old piano, with the end on the + boxes because it has no leg, as I dare say Nino has often told you." +</p> +<p> + "Nino said it was a very good piano," said she. +</p> +<p> + "And indeed it is," he said, with enthusiasm. "It is out of tune now, + perhaps, but it is the source of all my fortune." He leaned over the + crazy instrument and seemed to caress it. +</p> +<p> + "Poor old thing!" said Hedwig, compassionately. "I am sure there is + music in it still—the sweet music of the past." +</p> +<p> + "Yes," said he laughing, "it must be the music of the past, for it + would not stand the 'music of the future,' as they call it, for five + minutes. All the strings would break." Hedwig sat down on the chair + that was in front of it, and her fingers went involuntarily to the + keys, though she is no great musician. +</p> +<p> + "I can play a little, you know, Nino," she said shyly, and looked up + to his face for a response, not venturing to strike the chords. And it + would have done you good to see how brightly Nino smiled and + encouraged her little offer of music—he, the great artist, in whose + life music was both sword and sceptre. But he knew that she had + greatness also of a different kind, and he loved the small jewels in + his crown as well as the glorious treasures of its larger wealth. +</p> +<p> + "Play to me, my love," he said, not caring now whether I heard the + sweet words or not. She blushed a little, nevertheless, and glanced at + me; then her fingers strayed over the keys, and drew out music that + was very soft and yet very gay. Suddenly she ceased, and leaned + forward on the desk of the piano, looking at him. +</p> +<p> + "Do you know, Nino, it was once my dream to be a great musician. If I + had not been so rich I should have taken the profession in earnest. + But now, you see, it is different, is it not?" +</p> +<p> + "Yes, it is all different now," he answered, not knowing exactly what + she meant, but radiantly happy, all the same. +</p> +<p> + "I mean," she said, hesitating—"I mean that now that we are to be + always together, what you do I do, and what I do you do. Do you + understand?" +</p> +<p> + "Yes, perfectly," said Nino, rather puzzled, but quite satisfied. +</p> +<p> + "Ah no, dear," said she, forgetting my presence, and letting her hand + steal into his as he stood, "you do not understand—quite. I mean that + so long as one of us can be a great musician it is enough, and I am + just as great as though I did it all myself." +</p> +<p> + Thereupon Nino forgot himself altogether, and kissed her golden hair. + But then he saw me looking, for it was so pretty a sight that I could + not help it, and he remembered. +</p> +<p> + "Oh!" he said in a tone of embarrassment that I had never heard + before. Then Hedwig blushed very much too, and looked away, and Nino + put himself between her and me, so that I might not see her. +</p> +<p> + "Could you play something for me to sing, Hedwig?" he asked suddenly. +</p> +<p> + "Oh, yes! I can play 'Spirto gentil,' by heart," she cried, hailing + the idea with delight. +</p> +<p> + In a moment they were both lost, and indeed so was I, in the dignity + and beauty of the simple melody. As he began to sing, Nino bent down + to her, and almost whispered the first words into her ear. But soon he + stood erect, and let the music flow from his lips just as God made it. + His voice was tired with the long watching and the dust and cold and + heat of the journey; but, as De Pretis said when he began, he has an + iron throat, and the weariness only made the tones soft and tender and + thrilling, that would perhaps have been too strong for my little room. +</p> +<p> + Suddenly he stopped short in the middle of a note, and gazed + open-mouthed at the door. And I looked, too, and was horrified; and + Hedwig, looking also, screamed and sprang back to the window, + overturning the chair she had sat on. +</p> +<p> + In the doorway stood Ahasuerus Benoni, the Jew. +</p> +<p> + Mariuccia had imprudently forgotten to shut the door when Hedwig and + Nino came, and the baron had walked in unannounced. You may imagine + the fright I was in. But, after all, it was natural enough that after + what had occurred he, as well as the count, should seek an interview + with me, to obtain what information I was willing to give. +</p> +<p> + There he stood in his gray clothes, tall and thin and smiling as of + yore. +</p> +<a name="chapter_24"></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h3> + CHAPTER XXIV +</h3> +<p> + Nino is a man for great emergencies, as I have had occasion to say, + and when he realised who the unwelcome visitor was, he acted as + promptly as usual. With a face like marble he walked straight across + the room to Benoni and faced him. +</p> +<p> + "Baron Benoni," he said, in a low voice, "I warn you that you are most + unwelcome here. If you attempt to say any word to my wife, or to force + an entrance, I will make short work of you." Benoni eyed him with a + sort of pitying curiosity as he made this speech:— +</p> +<p> + "Do not fear, Signor Cardegna. I came to see Signor Grandi, and to + ascertain from him precisely what you have voluntered to tell me. You + cannot suppose that I have any object in interrupting the leisure of a + great artist, or the privacy of his very felicitous domestic + relations. I have not a great deal to say. That is, I have always a + great deal to say about everything, but I shall at present confine + myself to a very little." +</p> +<p> + "You will be wise," said Nino, scornfully, "and you would be wiser if + you confined yourself to nothing at all." +</p> +<p> + "Patience, Signor Cardegna," protested Benoni. "You will readily + conceive that I am a little out of breath with the stairs, for I am a + very old man." +</p> +<p> + "In that case," I said, from the other side of the room, "I may as + well occupy your breathing time by telling you that any remarks you + are likely to make to me have been forestalled by the Graf von Lira, + who has been with me this morning." Benoni smiled, but both Hedwig and + Nino looked at me in surprise. +</p> +<p> + "I only wished to say," returned Benoni, "that I consider you in the + light of an interesting phenomenon. Nay, Signor Cardegna, do not look + so fierce. I am an old man—" +</p> +<p> + "An old devil," said Nino hotly. +</p> +<p> + "An old fool," said I. +</p> +<p> + "An old reprobate," said Hedwig, from her corner, in deepest + indignation. +</p> +<p> + "Precisely," returned Benoni, smilingly. "Many people have been good + enough to tell me so before. Thanks, kind friends, I believe you with + all my heart. Meanwhile, man, devil, fool, or reprobate, I am very + old. I am about to leave Rome for St. Petersburg, and I will take this + last opportunity of informing you that in a very singularly long life + I have met with only two or three such remarkable instances as this of + yours." +</p> +<p> + "Say what you wish to say, and go," said Nino, roughly. +</p> +<p> + "Certainly. And whenever I have met with such an instance I have done + my very utmost to reduce it to the common level, and to prove to + myself that no such thing really exists. I find it a dangerous thing, + however; for an old man in love is likely to exhibit precisely the + agreeable and striking peculiarities you have so aptly designated." + There was something so odd about his manner and about the things he + said that Nino was silent, and allowed him to proceed. +</p> +<p> + "The fact is," he continued, "that love is a very rare thing, + nowadays, and is so very generally an abominable sham that I have + often amused myself by diabolically devising plans for its + destruction. On this occasion I very nearly came to grief myself. The + same thing happened to me some time ago—about forty years, I should + say,—and I perceive that it has not been forgotten. It may amuse you + to look at this paper, which I chance to have with me. Good-morning. I + leave for St. Petersburg at once." +</p> +<p> + "I believe you are really the Wandering Jew!" cried Nino, as Benoni + left the room. +</p> +<p> + "His name was certainly Ahasuerus," Benoni replied from the outer + door. "But it may be a coincidence, after all. Good-day." He was gone. +</p> +<p> + I was the first to take up the paper he had thrown upon a chair. There + was a passage marked with a red pencil. I read it aloud:— +</p> +<p> + "... Baron Benoni, the wealthy banker of St. Petersburg, who was many + years ago an inmate of a private lunatic asylum in Paris, is reported + to be dangerously insane in Rome." That was all. The paper was the + <i>Paris Figaro</i>. +</p> +<p> + "Merciful Heavens!" exclaimed Hedwig, "and I was shut up with that + madman in Fillettino!" Nino was already by her side, and in his strong + arms she forgot Benoni, and Fillettino, and all her troubles. We were + all silent for some time. At last Nino spoke. +</p> +<p> + "Is it true that the count was here this morning?" he asked, in a + subdued voice, for the extraordinary visit and its sequel had made him + grave. +</p> +<p> + "Quite true," I said. "He was here a long time. I would not spoil your + pleasure by telling you of it, when you first came." +</p> +<p> + "What did he—what did my father say?" asked Hedwig, presently. +</p> +<p> + "My dear children," I answered, thinking I might well call them so, + "he said a great many unpleasant things, so that I offered to fight + him if he said any more." At this they both laid hold of me and began + to caress me; and one smoothed my hair, and the other embraced me, so + that I was half smothered. +</p> +<p> + "Dear Signor Grandi," cried Hedwig, anxiously, "how good and brave you + are!" She does not know what a coward I am, you see, and I hope she + will never find out, for nothing was ever said to me that gave me half + so much pleasure as to be called brave by her, the dear child; and if + she never finds out she may say it again, some day. Besides, I really + did offer to fight Lira, as I have told you. +</p> +<p> + "And what is he going to do?" asked Nino, in some anxiety. +</p> +<p> + "I do not know. I told him it was all legal, and that he could not + touch you at all. I also said you were staying at the Hotel Costanzi, + where he might find you if he wished." +</p> +<p> + "Oh! Did you tell him that?" asked Hedwig. +</p> +<p> + "It was quite right," said Nino. "He ought to know, of course. And + what else did you tell him?" +</p> +<p> + "Nothing especial, Nino mio. He went away in a sort of ill temper + because I would not let him abuse you as much as he pleased." +</p> +<p> + "He may abuse me and be welcome," said Nino. "He has some right to be + angry with me. But he will think differently some day." So we chatted + away for an hour, enjoying the rest and the peace and the sweet + sunshine of the Easter afternoon. But this was the day of + interruptions. There was one more visitor to come,—one more scene for + me to tell you, and then I have done. +</p> +<p> + A carriage drove down the street and seemed to stop at the door of my + house. Nino looked idly out of the window. Suddenly he started. +</p> +<p> + "Hedwig, Hedwig!" he cried, "here is your father coming back!" She + would not look out, but stood back from the window, turning pale. If + there was one thing she dreaded, it was a meeting with her father. All + the old doubt as to whether she had done right seemed to come back to + her face in a moment. But Nino turned and looked at her, and his face + was so triumphant that she got back her courage, and, clasping his + hand, bravely awaited what was to come. +</p> +<p> + I went myself to the door, and heard Lira's slow tread on the stairs. + Before long he appeared, and glanced up at me from the steps, which he + climbed, one at a time, with his stick. +</p> +<p> + "Is my daughter here?" he asked, as soon as he reached me; and his + voice sounded subdued, just as Nino's did when Benoni had gone, I + conducted him into the room. It was the strangest meeting. The proud + old man bowed stiffly to Hedwig, as though he had never before seen + her. They also bent their heads, and there was a silence as of death + in the sunny room. +</p> +<p> + "My daughter," said Von Lira at last, and with evident effort, "I wish + to have a word with you. These two gentlemen—the younger of whom is + now, as I understand it, your husband—may well hear what I wish to + say." +</p> +<p> + I moved a chair so that he might sit down, but he stood up to his full + height, as though not deigning to be older than the rest. I watched + Hedwig, and saw how with both hands she clung to Nino's arm, and her + lip trembled, and her face wore the look it had when I saw her in + Fillettino. +</p> +<p> + As for Nino, his stern, square jaw was set, and his brow bent, but he + showed no emotion, unless the darkness in his face and the heavy + shadows beneath his eyes foretold ready anger. +</p> +<p> + "I am no trained, reasoner, like Signor Grandi," said Lira, looking + straight at Hedwig, "but I can say plainly what I mean, for all that. + There was a good old law in Sparta, whereby disobedient children were + put to death without mercy. Sparta was a good country,—very like + Prussia, but less great. You know what I mean. You have cruelly + disobeyed me,—cruelly, I say, because you have shown me that all my + pains and kindness and discipline have been in vain. There is nothing + so sorrowful for a good parent as to discover that he has made a + mistake." +</p> +<p> + (The canting old proser, I thought, will he never finish?) +</p> +<p> + "The mistake I refer to is not in the way I have dealt with you," he + went on, "for on that score I have nothing to reproach myself. But I + was mistaken in supposing you loved me. You have despised all I have + done for you." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, father! How can you say that?" cried poor Hedwig, clinging closer + to Nino. +</p> +<p> + "At all events, you have acted as though you did. On the very day when + I promised you to take signal action upon Baron Benoni you left me by + stealth, saying in your miserable letter that you had gone to a man + who could both love and protect you." +</p> +<p> + "You did neither the one nor the other, sir," said Nino, boldly, "when + you required of your daughter to marry such a man as Benoni." +</p> +<p> + "I have just seen Benoni; I saw him also on the night you left me, + madam,"—he looked severely at Hedwig,—"and I am reluctantly forced + to confess that he is not sane, according to the ordinary standard of + the mind." +</p> +<p> + We had all known from the paper of the suspicion that rested on + Benoni's sanity, yet somehow there was a little murmur in the room + when the old count so clearly stated his opinion. +</p> +<p> + "That does not, however, alter the position in the least," continued + Lira, "for you knew nothing of this at the time I desired you to marry + him, and I should have found it out soon enough to prevent mischief. + Instead of trusting to my judgment you took the law into your own + hands, like a most unnatural daughter, as you are, and disappeared in + the night with a man whom I consider totally unfit for you, however + superior," he added, glancing at Nino, "he may have proved himself in + his own rank of life." +</p> +<p> + Nino could not hold his tongue any longer. It seemed absurd that there + should be a battle of words when all the realities of the affair were + accomplished facts; but for his life he could not help speaking. +</p> +<p> + "Sir," he said, addressing Lira, "I rejoice that this opportunity is + given me of once more speaking clearly to you. Months ago, when I was + betrayed into a piece of rash violence, for which I at once apologised + to you, I told you under somewhat peculiar circumstances that I would + yet marry your daughter, if she would have me. I stand here to-day + with her by my side, my wedded wife, to tell you that I have kept my + word, and that she is mine by her own free consent. Have you any cause + to show why she is not my wedded wife? If so, show it. But I will not + let you stand there and say bitter and undeserved things to this same + wife of mine, abusing the name of father and the terms 'authority' and + 'love,' forsooth! And if you wish to take vengeance on me personally, + do so if you can. I will not fight duels with you now, as I was ready + to do the day before yesterday. For then—so short a time ago—I had + but offered her my life, and so that I gave it for her I cared not how + nor when. But now she has taken me for hers, and I have no more right + to let you kill me than I have to kill myself, seeing that she and I + are one. Therefore, good sir, if you have words of conciliation to + speak, speak them; but if you would only tell her harsh and cruel + things, I say you shall not!" +</p> +<p> + As Nino uttered these hot words in good, plain Italian, they had a + bold and honest sound of strength that was glorious to hear. A weaker + man than the old count would have fallen into a fury of rage, and + perhaps would have done some foolish violence. But he stood silent, + eying his antagonist coolly, and when the words were spoken he + answered. +</p> +<p> + "Signor Cardegna," he said, "the fact that I am here ought to be to + you the fullest demonstration that I acknowledge your marriage with my + daughter. I have certainly no intention of prolonging a painful + interview. When I have said that my child has disobeyed me, I have + said all that the question holds. As for the future of you two, I have + naturally nothing more to say about it. I cannot love a disobedient + child, nor ever shall again. For the present, we will part; and if at + the end of a year my daughter is happy with you, and desires to see + me, I shall make no objection to such a meeting. I need not say that + if she is unhappy with you my house will always be open to her, if she + chooses to return to it." +</p> +<p> + "No, sir, most emphatically, you need not say it!" cried Nino, with + blazing eyes. Lira took no notice of him, but turned to go. +</p> +<p> + Hedwig would try once more to soften him, though she knew it was + useless. +</p> +<p> + "Father," she said, in tones of passionate entreaty, "will you not say + you wish me well? Will you not forgive me?" She sprang to him and + would have held him back. +</p> +<p> + "I wish you no ill," he answered shortly, pushing her aside, and he + marched to the door, where he paused, bowed as stiffly as ever, and + disappeared. +</p> +<p> + It was very rude of us, perhaps, but no one accompanied him to the + stairs. As for me, I would not have believed it possible that any + human being could be so hard and relentlessly virtuous; and if I had + wondered at first that Hedwig should have so easily made up her mind + to flight, I was no longer surprised when I saw with my own eyes how + he could treat her. +</p> +<p> + I cannot, indeed, conceive how she could have borne it so long, for + the whole character of the man came out, hard, cold, and narrow,—such + a character as must be more hideous than any description can paint it, + when seen in the closeness of daily conversation. But when he was gone + the sun appeared to shine again, as he had shone all day, though it + had sometimes seemed so dark. The storms were in that little room. +</p> +<p> + As Lira went out, Nino, who had followed Hedwig closely, caught her in + his arms, and once more her face rested on his broad breast. I sat + down and pretended to be busy with a pile of old papers that lay near + by on the table, but I could hear what they said. The dear children, + they forgot all about me. +</p> +<p> + "I am so sorry, dear one," said Nino soothingly. +</p> +<p> + "I know you are, Nino. But it cannot be helped." +</p> +<p> + "But are you sorry, too, Hedwig?" he asked, stroking her hair. +</p> +<p> + "That my father is angry? Yes. I wish he were not," said she, looking + wistfully toward the door. +</p> +<p> + "No, not that," said Nino. "Sorry that you left him, I mean." +</p> +<p> + "Ah, no, I am not sorry for that. Oh, Nino, dear Nino, your love is + best." And again she hid her face. +</p> +<p> + "We will go away at once, darling," he said, after a minute, during + which I did not see what was going on. "Would you like to go away?" +</p> +<p> + Hedwig moved her head to say "Yes." +</p> +<p> + "We will go, then, sweetheart. Where shall it be?" asked Nino, trying + to distract her thoughts from what had just occurred. "London? Paris? + Vienna? I can sing anywhere now, but you must always choose, love." +</p> +<p> + "Anywhere, anywhere; only always with you, Nino, till we die + together." +</p> +<p> + "Always, till we die, my beloved," he repeated. The small white hands + stole up and clasped about his broad throat, tenderly drawing his face + to hers, and hers to his. And it will be "always," till they die + together, I think. +</p> +<hr /> +<p> + This is the story of that Roman singer whose great genius is making + such a stir in the world. I have told it to you, because he is my own + dear boy, as I have often said in these pages; and because people must + not think that he did wrong to carry Hedwig von Lira away from her + father, nor that Hedwig was so very unfilial and heartless. I know + that they were both right, and the day will come when old Lira will + acknowledge it. He is a hard old man, but he must have some affection + for her; and if not, he will surely have the vanity to own so famous + an artist as Nino for his son-in-law. +</p> +<p> + I do not know how it was managed, for Hedwig was certainly a heretic + when she left her father, though she was an angel, as Nino said. But + before they left Rome for Vienna there was a little wedding, early in + the morning, in our parish church, for I was there; and De Pretis, who + was really responsible for the whole thing, got some of his best + singers from St. Peter and St. John on the Lateran to come and sing a + mass over the two. I think that our good Mother Church found room for + the dear child very quickly, and that is how it happened. +</p> +<p> + They are happy and glad together, those two hearts that never knew + love save for each other, and they will be happy always. For it was + nothing but love with them from the very first, and so it must be to + the very last. Perhaps you will say that there is nothing in this + story either but love. And if so, it is well; for where there is + naught else there can surely be no sinning, or wrongdoing, or + weakness, or meanness; nor yet anything that is not quite pure and + undefiled. +</p> +<p> + Just as I finish this writing, there comes a letter from Nino to say + that he has taken steps about buying Serveti, and that I must go there + in the spring with Mariuccia and make it ready for him. Dear Serveti, + of course I will go. +</p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<center> + THE END +</center> + +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 12346 ***</div> +</body> diff --git a/12346-h/images/singer.jpg b/12346-h/images/singer.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..bf559e8 --- /dev/null +++ b/12346-h/images/singer.jpg diff --git a/12346-h/images/singer_sm.jpg b/12346-h/images/singer_sm.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..384b54b --- /dev/null +++ b/12346-h/images/singer_sm.jpg |
