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Werner + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Success and How He Won It + +Author: E. Werner + +Translator: Christina Tyrrell + +Release Date: January 21, 2011 [EBook #35032] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SUCCESS AND HOW HE WON IT *** + + + + +Produced by Charles Bowen, from page scans provided by the Web Archive + + + + + +</pre> + +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<p class="hang1">Transcriber's Note:<br> + +1. Page scan source: +http://www.archive.org/details/successandhowhe00tyrrgoog</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>SUCCESS</h2> + +<h3>AND HOW HE WON IT</h3> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h1>SUCCESS</h1> + +<h2>AND HOW HE WON IT</h2> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h4><i>FROM THE GERMAN OF E. WERNER</i></h4> +<br> +<h5>BY</h5> +<br> +<h3>CHRISTINA TYRRELL</h3> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h3>LONDON<br> +RICHARD BENTLEY & SON, NEW BURLINGTON ST.<br> +Publishers in Ordinary to Her Majesty the Queen<br> +1892</h3> +<br> +<h5><i>All rights reserved.</i></h5> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h1>SUCCESS.</h1> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER I.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">It was growing late in the afternoon, yet the principal church of the +capital was still densely filled. From the numbers present, the +beautiful floral decorations of the altar, and the long line of +handsome equipages waiting without, it was evident that the ceremony +about to be celebrated had awakened interest and sympathy far and wide.</p> + +<p class="normal">As usual on such occasions, when the sacredness of the place forbids +any distinct utterance of curiosity, or other feeling, the spectators +found vent for the restlessness of expectation by whispering, and the +gathering together of heads in little groups, and by an eager attention +to all that was going on in the neighbourhood of the vestry. A general +exclamation of satisfaction was heard when its doors opened, and, as +the first tones of the organ pealed forth, the wedding party appeared.</p> + +<p class="normal">A numerous and brilliant company thronged round the bridal pair at the +altar. Rich uniforms, heavy velvet and satin dresses, airy fabrics of +lace, flowers and diamonds waved and rustled confusedly in a truly +dazzling splendour. The aristocracy of birth, and the aristocracy of +finance, represented each by its most distinguished members, had met, +as it seemed, to enhance the prestige of the marriage ceremony.</p> + +<p class="normal">To the right of the bride, first among the guests, stood a tall and +stately officer, whose uniform and various orders bore witness to a +long military career. His bearing was simple and dignified, suited to +the solemnity of the occasion, and yet it seemed as though, behind the +set gravity of the features, there lurked a something at variance with +so joyful an event. His look was singularly gloomy as it rested on the +young couple, and, when he turned from them and glanced through the +crowded church, an expression of suppressed pain, or anger, passed over +the proud face, and the firmly-closed lips trembled slightly.</p> + +<p class="normal">Opposite him, and next to the bridegroom, stood a gentleman in plain +clothes, also advanced in years, and also, as it appeared, closely +related to the young people; but neither his lavish display of +brilliants in watch, rings and pin, nor the extreme self-importance of +his bearing, could procure for him a shade of that distinction which +his opposite neighbour possessed in so eminent a degree. His whole +appearance was decidedly ordinary, not to say vulgar, and even the +unconcealed triumph now illumining his countenance could set no other +impress on it.</p> + +<p class="normal">The triumph was, indeed, great with which he gazed on the bridal pair, +and he looked down the aisle on the closely-packed rows of chairs and +on all the bright assembly, with the satisfaction of one, who, after +long striving, sees and welcomes the fulfilment of his aims and hopes; +clearly, no shadow troubled <i>his</i> gladness at the event now to be +solemnised.</p> + +<p class="normal">But of all present, these two men alone appeared to take a deep +interest in what was passing; least of all were the principal actors +moved. The most unsympathising of the guests, the greatest stranger, +could hardly have shown a more complete indifference to the solemn act +about to be performed than these two, who, in a few minutes, would be +for ever united.</p> + +<p class="normal">The bride was about nineteen, and of undeniable beauty, but around her +there seemed to reign a sort of icy chill, which ill became the hour +and the place. The light from the altar-candles played on the thick +folds of her white satin dress, shone in the diamonds of her costly +ornaments; but it fell on a face which, with the beauty of marble, +seemed for the time being at least--a time when the most frigid calm +might naturally yield and kindle--to have acquired also a statue-like +coldness and fixity.</p> + +<p class="normal">The flaxen hue of the heavy tresses, on which her myrtle wreath rested, +contrasted strangely with the well-marked eyebrows, and dark, almost +black eyes, uplifted to the priest but once or twice during the entire +ceremony. The pale, regular features, shaded on either side by her +flowing veil, bore that distinctive mark of breeding which birth, and +birth alone, can give. Indeed this high-bred air was the chief +characteristic of her appearance; it showed itself not only in her +delicate and noble features, but was so plainly stamped on her carriage +and entire being, that all other qualities, some, perhaps, striking +even deeper root, were by it overshadowed and held in the background.</p> + +<p class="normal">A young lady fitted only, it would seem, for the higher spheres of +life, never to be brought in contact with those possible men and things +which, perchance, may exist in its lower phases. Yet, in spite of all +this, something in the dark eyes betrayed more energy and character +than are usually found in a lady of fashion, and possibly the present +hour was one to call such energy and such strength of nature to the +front. As the ceremony proceeded, the gentleman in uniform to her +right, and three younger officers who stood behind him, gazed, ever +more intently, ever more anxiously, at her face; it remained, however, +calm and impassible as it had been from the first.</p> + +<p class="normal">The bridegroom at her side was a young man of about eight-and-twenty, +one of those not very uncommon individuals who seem expressly created +for the gilded surroundings of a salon, who there alone find their +significance, obtain their triumphs and pass their lives. Blamelessly +correct in mien and toilette, his whole being seemed to denote the +extremity of languor. His features, fine and agreeable in themselves, +bore an expression of apathy so complete, of so boundless an +indifference to all and everything, that they lost their charm for the +observer. He had led his bride to the altar with the air of a man +leading a lady to the place destined for her in any ordinary assembly, +and he now stood by her, and held her hand, in precisely the same +apathetic fashion. Neither the importance of the step he was about to +take, nor the beauty of the woman he was there to wed, seemed to make +the slightest impression on him.</p> + +<p class="normal">The priest's discourse came to an end and he proceeded to the actual +marriage service. Loud and clear his voice rang through the church, as +he asked Arthur Berkow and the Baroness Eugénie Maria Anna von +Windeg-Babenau if they consented to take each other for man and wife.</p> + +<p class="normal">Again the officer's face twitched nervously, and he darted a look +almost of hatred across to the other side. Next minute the double "yes" +was spoken, and one of the oldest, proudest of aristocratic names had +been exchanged for the simple, plebeian Berkow.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hardly was the service over and the last word of the concluding +benediction uttered, when the gentleman wearing the handsome brilliants +pressed hastily forwards, evidently intending to embrace the +newly-married lady with much ostentation. Before, however, he could +carry out his project, the officer stepped between them; quickly, as +though claiming an indisputable right to be first, he took the young +bride in his arms; but the lips which touched her forehead were cold, +and his face, as he bent over her, remained hidden a few seconds from +all around. When he raised it, his expression had changed to one of +calm and quiet dignity.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Courage, father, it had to be!"</p> + +<p class="normal">These words, intelligible to him alone, were breathed so low as to be +barely audible, but they gave him back his self-command. Again he +pressed his daughter to him with a wistful tenderness, which had in it +something like a prayer for pardon. Then he left her free, giving her +over to the now inevitable embrace of the other, who had waited with +visible impatience, and would no longer be deprived of his right to +salute "his dear daughter-in-law."</p> + +<p class="normal">She certainly made no attempt to withdraw herself from him, for the +eyes of the whole church were upon her. Standing motionless, with no +shade of disturbance on her beautiful face, she only raised her eyes to +him; but in her look there was a haughtiness so unapproachable, so icy +a repulse of that which could not be openly refused, that she made +herself understood even here.</p> + +<p class="normal">Somewhat disconcerted, her father-in-law changed his vehement +demonstration of affection to an attitude of respectful politeness, and +the embrace, which immediately followed, was in reality little more +than a form, his arms touching nothing more substantial than the +flowing drapery of her bridal veil. The new relation's assurance, +though certainly far from small, had yet not held its ground before +that glance.</p> + +<p class="normal">Young Berkow made things easier for his father-in-law. Something passed +between them which looked like shaking hands, but, in truth, his white +kid gloves hardly came into contact with those of the Baron. It seemed, +however, fully to suffice them both; he then offered his arm to his +young wife and led her away. The bride's satin train rustled over the +marble steps and down the aisle as the two passed out, followed by the +guests in gay procession. Shortly afterwards the carriages outside were +heard to drive away one by one.</p> + +<p class="normal">The church was soon emptied. Some pressed to the doors to see the +departing visitors once more; some hastened out to give vent to all +their important observations and reflections with regard to the +toilette, bearing and appearance of the young couple and those nearly +connected with them. In less than ten minutes the vast place was empty +and deserted; only the evening glow shone through the tall windows and +flooded the altar and great altar-piece with its crimson light, so that +the figures on the old golden background seemed quickened into life.</p> + +<p class="normal">Fanned by a current of air, the candles flared unsteadily, and the +flowers, lying crushed and trampled under foot on the ground, where +they had been so prodigally strewn, breathed forth their dying odours. +What better end could the poor flowers serve amid such a blaze of +jewels, on so high a festival as this, when the daughter of an old +baronial house had been given in marriage to the son of the city +millionaire?</p> + +<p class="normal">The carriages had already reached the Windeg mansion, and life and +movement were beginning to circulate through the gaily lighted rooms. +In the principal salon, radiantly illuminated by countless wax-lights, +the young bride stood leaning on her husband's arm, cold, beautiful and +haughty, as she had stood at the altar an hour before, and received the +congratulations of the eager friends pressing round her with their good +wishes.</p> + +<p class="normal">Had she really set the seal on her own happiness by that "yes" she had +so lately spoken?--the dark shadow still resting on her father's brow +might perhaps have given the fitting answer.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER II.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">"Well, thank Heaven, we are in order at last! but it was high time, for +they may be here in another quarter of an hour. I have given the people +up on the hill full instructions; as soon as the carriage is visible on +the heights, the first salute is to be given."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why, my dear Director, you are all fire and excitement to-day!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Keep some of your strength for the important moment of the reception."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Indeed, your present position as Master of the Ceremonies and Lord +High Chamberlain" ...</p> + +<p class="normal">"Spare your pleasantries, gentlemen!" said the Director with some +vexation in his tone. "I wish one of you had been honoured with this +confounded post. I have had enough of it!"</p> + +<p class="normal">The entire staff of officials connected with the great Berkow mines was +assembled in full dress at the foot of the terrace running before the +château. Built in the style of an elegant and modern villa with a +handsome façade, great plate-glass windows and a fine entrance, the +house produced a striking effect, which was still further heightened by +the tasteful gardens surrounding it on all sides, and looking specially +beautiful to-day in their fête-like dress.</p> + +<p class="normal">The conservatories had evidently been stripped of their richest +treasures for the decoration of the steps, balconies and terraces. The +rarest and most precious plants, so seldom brought in contact with the +outer air, unfolded here their wealth of colour, and perfumed the air +with their sweet scents. On the broad lawns stood fountains, throwing +high into the air their sparkling waters, and round them, most +carefully cultivated, bloomed all the native beauties of spring in her +first awakening. At the chief entrance a lofty triumphal arch was +reared, all decked with flags and garlands, and the great gates, thrown +wide open, were also twined with flowers.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have had enough of it!" repeated the Director, stepping up to the +other gentlemen. "Herr Berkow demands the most brilliant reception +possible, and thinks he has done everything when he gives us unlimited +credit. As to the good-will of the people, he never takes that into +account. Well and good, if we had the working men of twenty years ago +to deal with! When, for once in a way, there came an off-day then, any +kind of a holiday with a dance in the evening, one need never be +anxious about the way they would cheer; but now--what with passive +indifference on the one hand, and open hostility on the other, they +were very near refusing to give any reception at all to their young +master and his bride. If you go back to town to-morrow, Herr Schäffer, +it would do no harm, in your report of our festive doings, to let a +hint drop of the state of things. It seems they either do not, or will +not, know of it there."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That I certainly shall not!" returned the other. "Do you care to +listen to our respected governor's very polite language when he has to +hear of anything unpleasant? As for me, I prefer at such times to +retire to the greatest possible distance from his august person."</p> + +<p class="normal">The others laughed; it hardly seemed as though the absent master were +held in much veneration among them.</p> + +<p class="normal">"So he really has brought about the grand marriage," began the chief +engineer. "He has given himself trouble enough about it. It will be +some compensation for that patent of nobility which has been hitherto +so persistently denied him, and for which, above all else, his soul +yearns. He has, at least, the triumph of seeing that the noble old +houses feel no prejudice against him as a plain commoner. The Windegs +are willing to ally themselves with him."</p> + +<p class="normal">Herr Schäffer shrugged his shoulders. "They had no choice left. The +embarrassed state of the family affairs is no secret in the city. I +doubt if it has been an easy thing to the proud Baron to give up his +daughter on such a speculation. The Windegs have always been, not only +among the oldest, but also among the haughtiest of the aristocracy; but +even pride must bend to a bitter necessity."</p> + +<p class="normal">"One thing is certain, this grand connection will cost us a famous sum +of money," said the Director. "The Baron is sure to have made his +conditions. Besides, I really do not see the object of all these +sacrifices. I could understand it, if they were made with a view to +buying rank and a title for a daughter, but Herr Arthur will be just as +plebeian as before, in spite of his wife's ancient lineage."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you think so? I would wager not. They will grant to the husband of +a Baroness Windeg-Babenau, to the Baron's son-in-law, all that his +father has striven for in vain; and, as for the latter, in his +daughter-in-law's salon, nothing can hinder him from meeting all the +people who have hitherto held him at a respectful distance. Don't tell +me! The governor knows well enough what this marriage will bring him +in, and so he can afford to pay something for the cost of it."</p> + +<p class="normal">One of the officials, a fair young man with a tight-fitting dress-coat +and irreproachable gloves, here thought fit to put in an observation.</p> + +<p class="normal">"For my part, I don't understand why the newly-married pair should make +their wedding trip to our solitudes, and not rather to the land of +poetry, to Italy" ....</p> + +<p class="normal">The chief-engineer laughed out loud.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What an idea, Wilberg! Poetry in a match like this, between money and +a title! Besides, wedding tours to Italy have become so general that +they probably appear vulgar to Herr Berkow. At such times the +aristocracy retire to their estates, and we must be aristocratic before +everything."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I fear there is another and a deeper reason," said the Director. "They +suspect that the young fellow would continue in Rome, or Naples, the +same sort of life he has led in the capital for the last few years, and +it is high time to put an end to it. His expenditure latterly might be +reckoned by tens of thousands! Most springs may be exhausted, and Herr +Arthur was in the right way for trying this little experiment on his +father."</p> + +<p class="normal">Schäffer's thin lips curled sarcastically.</p> + +<p class="normal">"His father has always encouraged him in it; he only reaps what he has +sown! Perhaps you are right It will be easier for him to get used to +the yoke up here in these wilds, and to learn to obey his wife. I am +only afraid she may not fulfil her mission with much enthusiasm. It +certainly is not a very enviable one."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you think she has been forced to marry him?" asked Wilberg eagerly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Nonsense--forced! the thing is not done in a tragic way now-a-days. +She has simply yielded to reasonable advice, and to a clear insight +into the position of affairs. I have no doubt this marriage of +convenience will turn out tolerably well. They do mostly."</p> + +<p class="normal">The fair Herr Wilberg, who clearly had a leaning to the tragical, shook +his head with a melancholy air.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It may be--not! If, in the heart of the young wife, true love should +awake later, if another .... Good heavens, Hartmann! cannot you lead +your men farther off. You are covering us with a perfect cloud of dust, +you and your regiment!"</p> + +<p class="normal">The young miner, to whom these words were addressed, and who was +passing at the head of about fifty of his comrades, gave a contemptuous +glance at the carefully appointed dress of the speaker, and another at +the sandy carriage-road, where the miners' heavy shoes certainly had +raised some dust.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Right about face!" he cried, and the column wheeled round with almost +military precision, taking the direction indicated.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What a bear that Hartmann is!" said Wilberg, fanning the dust from his +coat with his handkerchief. "Not a word of excuse for his awkwardness! +'Right about face!' in a tone of command, like a general at the head of +his troops. And then he takes so much upon himself! If his father had +not put in his word, he would have forbidden the girl Martha to recite +my poem composed for the bride's reception, my poem--which I" ....</p> + +<p class="normal">"Have already read aloud to everybody," finished the chief-engineer in +an undertone to the Director. "If only it were a little shorter! but he +is right; it was audacious of Hartmann to wish to forbid it. You should +not have posted him and his people just on this spot; there is no sort +of welcome to be looked for from them. They are the most rebellious +fellows on the whole works."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Director shrugged his shoulders. "Yes, but then they are the finest +men. I have stationed all the others in the village and on the road, +the <i>élite</i> of our people ought to be at the chief entrance, the post +of honour. On an occasion like this, one wishes to make a show of one's +belongings."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young miner, who was thus being discussed, had, in the meantime, +stationed his comrades round the triumphal arch and placed himself at +their head. The Director was right; they were fine fellows, but they +were all surpassed by their leader, who towered high above them. He had +a powerful, well-knit frame, this Hartmann, and he looked to full +advantage in his dark miner's dress. His face would hardly have been +called handsome, if judged by the strict laws of symmetry. The brow +might have seemed too low, the lips too full, the lines not noble +enough; but those sharply-cut and well-marked features were certainly +no ordinary ones.</p> + +<p class="normal">The light curly hair lay thick on the broad massive forehead, and a +wavy brown beard encircled the lower part of the face, the manly bronze +of which did not betray that it was so often deprived of air and +sunshine. His parted lips had a defiant look, and in the rather sombre +expression of his blue eyes lay a something which can hardly be +defined, but which impressed itself at once on ordinary minds, and was +respected by them, as the sure token of a superior mind. His whole +appearance was that of energy incarnate, and however little sympathy +his stiff, unbending bearing might excite, it yet commanded attention +at the first glance.</p> + +<p class="normal">An older man who, although wearing the miner's dress, did not appear to +belong to the working-men, drew near now, accompanied by a young girl, +and came close up to the group.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Good day to you. Here we are ready to take our part. How do things go, +Ulric? Are you all in order?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Ulric assented shortly, while the others returned the old man's +greeting with a hearty, "Good day, Manager Hartmann!" and the looks of +most of them turned on his young companion.</p> + +<p class="normal">The girl was about twenty and very comely. She wore the holiday costume +peculiar to the locality, and it became her well. Rather below the +middle height, her head hardly reached to the gigantic Hartmann's +shoulder; her fresh young face, with its blooming cheeks and clear blue +eyes, a little sunburnt and crowned with thick dark plaits, had +strength in it as well as attractiveness. She had made a movement, as +if to offer her hand to the young man, but he stood with his arms +folded, and she let it fall quickly. The Manager noticed this, and +looked sharply at them both.</p> + +<p class="normal">"We are out of humour because we could not have our own way for once?" +he asked. "Never mind, Ulric, it does not happen often, but when you +push matters too far, your father must speak a word of authority."</p> + +<p class="normal">"If I had anything to say about Martha, I should certainly have spoken +out pretty plainly," declared Ulric decidedly, and a dark look fell +upon the splendid bouquet in the girl's hand, which certainly owed its +origin to a hothouse.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I believe you," said the old man equably; "it would be exactly like +you. For the present, however, she is my niece and has to conform to my +wishes. But what is the matter with your arch up there? The great +flag-staff is drooping; you must bind it up more firmly, or the whole +concern will be tumbling down, wreaths and all."</p> + +<p class="normal">Ulric, to whom this warning was specially addressed, looked up +indifferently at the wreaths in danger, but made no attempt to come to +their rescue.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Don't you hear?" repeated his father impatiently.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I thought I was hired to work in the mine, and not here at a triumphal +arch. Is not it enough that we should have to mount guard in this +place? Let those who built the thing set it to rights again."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Can't you forget the old tune for one day?" cried the old man angrily. +"Well then, one of you go up and see to it."</p> + +<p class="normal">The miners all looked at Ulric, waiting for a sign of assent from him. +As none came, they did not stir; one man only made a move, as though he +would respond to the summons; the young leader turned silently and +looked at him. It was but a single glance from the imperious blue eyes, +but it had the effect of command. The man stepped back at once, and no +other hand was raised to help.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I wish it would fall on your obstinate heads," cried the Manager +hotly, as he mounted with quite youthful activity and tied up the +flag-staff himself. "Perhaps that would teach you how to behave on such +a day as this. You have spoilt Lawrence already amongst you; he used to +be worth something, but now he only does what his lord and master Ulric +directs."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ought we to be so overjoyed that a new set of fine masters is coming?" +said Ulric in a low tone. "I should have thought we had had enough of +the old!"</p> + +<p class="normal">The Manager, still busy with the flag, luckily did not hear this +speech; but the young girl, who had stood silent on one side, turned +hastily and cast an anxious look upwards.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ulric, for my sake!"</p> + +<p class="normal">At this injunction the defiant young miner held his peace, but his +features did not soften by a shade. The girl remained standing before +him; she seemed to hesitate, having something to say and not liking to +say it. At last she spoke in a low tone, half questioning, half +entreating.</p> + +<p class="normal">"So you really will not come to the fête this evening?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ulric!" ...</p> + +<p class="normal">"Let me be, Martha, you know I can't bear your dancing nonsense."</p> + +<p class="normal">Martha stepped back quickly, her red lips pouting, and a glistening +tear in her eyes which sprang even more from anger than from wounded +feeling at his unfriendly reply. Ulric either did not notice it, or did +not care; indeed, he seemed to trouble himself but little about her. +Without wasting another word, the girl turned her back on him, and +crossed over to the other side.</p> + +<p class="normal">The eyes of the young fellow, who just before had been willing to help +with the flag, followed her intently. Evidently he would have given +much that the invitation should have been addressed to him. He, +assuredly, would not have rejected it so cavalierly.</p> + +<p class="normal">In the meantime, the Manager had come down, and was reviewing his work +with much satisfaction, when the first volley burst forth from the hill +opposite, followed, at short intervals, by another and another. As was +natural, these signs that the expected visitors were approaching at +last, produced some excitement. The gentlemen assembled out yonder +became suddenly animated.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Director hurriedly inspected all the preparations for the last +time; the chief-engineer and Herr Schäffer buttoned their gloves, and +Wilberg rushed over to Martha, probably to ask, for the twentieth time, +whether she were sure she knew his verses, and would not endanger his +triumph as a poet by inopportune shyness. Even the miners betrayed some +interest in the young and, as it was said, beautiful bride of their +future master. More than one drew in his belt, and pressed his hat more +firmly on his head. Ulric alone stood quite unmoved, erect and +disdainful as before, and did not even cast a glance over at the other +side.</p> + +<p class="normal">But the reception, prepared with so much thought and care, was to turn +out differently from what had been hoped and expected. A cry of horror +from the Manager, who was now standing outside the great arch, drew all +eyes in that direction, and what they saw was certainly terrible +enough.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER III.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">Down the steep road which led from the village, came, or rather flew, a +carriage, the horses of which, startled probably by the salutes fired, +had shaken off all control, and were careering wildly down the hill. +The carriage rocked to and fro on the uneven ground, and was in +imminent danger, either of being thrown down the precipitous incline to +the right, or of being dashed to pieces against the great trees which +bordered the road on the other side. The coachman seemed to have lost +all presence of mind. He had let fall the reins, and was clinging +desperately to his seat, while from the hill behind, the gunners, +prevented by the trees from seeing the accident they had brought about, +crashed forth report after report, spurring the terrified animals on +and on in their mad course. What the fearful issue must be, was only +too plainly visible. At the bridge below a catastrophe would be +inevitable.</p> + +<p class="normal">The people assembled before the house did what crowds mostly do on such +occasions. They screamed, ran helplessly hither and thither, but it +occurred to no one to give that practical help which was so urgently +needed. In that moment upon which everything depended, not one, +even among the miners, had the courage, or the quick wit, to rush +forwards. Yes, there was a single exception, one man who preserved his +self-possession! To take in the whole danger at a glance, to thrust +aside his father and comrades, and to spring out from among them, was +for Ulric the work of an instant.</p> + +<p class="normal">In three bounds he had reached the bridge; a scream of horror from +Martha rang out after him--too late! He had already thrown himself +before the horses and had grasped the reins. High in the air reared the +affrighted creatures, but instead of stopping, they set out with fresh +fury, dragging him along with them. Any other man must have been thrown +to the ground and trampled under foot, but Ulric, by his giant +strength, succeeded, at last, in getting the mastery. A tremendous pull +at the reins, on which he had never slackened his hold, made one of the +horses stagger and lose its footing. It fell, and in its fall, dragged +the other down with it. The carriage stopped.</p> + +<p class="normal">Ulric went up to the door, confidently expecting to find its +occupants, or at least the lady, in a swoon. According to his +notions, that was the usual condition of fine ladies and gentlemen who +found themselves exposed to any danger; but here, when, if ever, a +fainting-fit might have been justifiable, there was absolutely nothing +of the sort. The lady stood upright in the carriage, holding to the +back seat with both hands, her eyes, fixed and dilated, still intent on +the chasm before her, where the journey would, probably, next minute +have come to a frightful end; but no sound, no cry of alarm, escaped +her firmly closed lips. Ready, if it came to the worst, to risk +springing out, an attempt which, however, would certainly have proved +fatal, she had looked death in the face silently and without shrinking, +with how thorough a sense of the peril incurred, her countenance +showed.</p> + +<p class="normal">Ulric seized her quickly and lifted her out, for the horses struggling +on the ground, and striving wildly to free themselves, were still +dangerous. It only took a few seconds to carry her over the bridge; +but, during these few seconds, the dark eyes were fixed steadfastly on +the man who, with such disregard of his own life, had almost thrown +himself under her horses' feet. Perhaps it was all too unusual a +sensation for the young miner to bear in his arms a burden clothed in +silken sheen, to feel waving round him, fluttering over his shoulder, a +gauzy white veil, for as his eyes rested on the beautiful pale face +which had made so brave a stand in the moment of danger, a bewildered +look passed over his features, and he set down his charge hastily +almost roughly, in a place of security.</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie still trembled slightly, and she drew a long breath of relief, +but there was no other sign of the terrible alarm she must have +undergone.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I--I thank you. Pray look to Herr Berkow!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Ulric, already turning to leave her, stopped with a shock of surprise. +"Look to Herr Berkow," the young wife had said, at a time when most +women would have called in anguish on their husband's name, and she had +said it quite coolly and quietly. A dim notion of that which the +gentlemen on the terrace had so freely discussed, dawned on the young +man as he turned and went to look after "Herr Berkow."</p> + +<p class="normal">This time there was, however, no need of his assistance. Arthur Berkow +had got out of the carriage and crossed the bridge alone. The passive +indifference of his nature had not belied itself during this critical +time. When the danger had come upon them so unexpectedly, and his wife +moved, as if about to spring out, he had laid his hand on her arm, and +said in a low tone:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Sit still, Eugénie; you are lost if you attempt to jump."</p> + +<p class="normal">Then no further word was spoken. While Eugénie stood erect in the +carriage, looking out for help, and resolved, at the last moment, to +risk a spring, Arthur remained motionless in his place; as they neared +the bridge, he just passed his hand over his eyes, and he would +probably have allowed himself to be dashed to pieces with the carriage, +if assistance had not been forthcoming at that decisive moment.</p> + +<p class="normal">He now stood near the parapet of the bridge, perhaps a thought paler +than usual, but perfectly steady, and without a trace of emotion; +whether he had felt none, or whether he had already mastered it, Ulric +was forced to confess to himself that such equanimity was, at least, +something out of the common. The young heir had a moment ago looked +Death full in the face, and now he stood, calmly scrutinising, as some +curious phenomenon, the man whose energy had rescued him from mortal +peril.</p> + +<p class="normal">That help, which was no longer needed, poured in now on all sides. +Twenty hands were busy raising the horses and helping down the +coachman, still half stupefied with fright. The entire swarm of +officials pressed round the young couple, giving utterance to their +regrets, their sympathy, their profound sorrow. They fairly exhausted +themselves with questions and offers of assistance, wondering how the +accident could possibly have happened, ascribing it alternately to the +report of the guns, to the driver and to the horses. Arthur stood a few +minutes passive, and let the stream flow over him. Then he stayed it +with a gesture.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Enough, gentlemen, pray! You see we are both unhurt. Let us now go on +to the house."</p> + +<p class="normal">He offered his arm to his wife to lead her away, but Eugénie stood +still and looked around.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And our deliverer? I hope he has not been injured?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah yes, true!" said the Director, somewhat ashamed. "We had nearly +forgotten that. It was Hartmann who stopped the horses. Hartmann, where +are you?"</p> + +<p class="normal">There was no answer to his call, but Wilberg, who, in his admiration +for the romantic deed, quite forgot his old grudge against the doer, +cried eagerly:</p> + +<p class="normal">"He is standing out there yonder!" and rushed across to the young +miner.</p> + +<p class="normal">When the gentlemen had hastened up, Ulric had at once retreated, and he +was now standing with his back turned to them, and leaning against a +tree.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hartmann, you must come.... Good heavens! what is the matter with you? +Where does all this blood come from?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Ulric was visibly struggling against an attack of faintness, yet his +face flushed angrily as the other made an attempt to support him. +Indignant that he should be thought capable of such weakness, he raised +himself hastily, and pressed his clenched hand still more firmly to his +bleeding forehead.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is nothing--nothing but a scratch. If I had only a handkerchief!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Wilberg was about to produce his, when suddenly a silk dress rustled +close by him. Young Lady Berkow stood by his side, and, without +speaking, held out her own little one, trimmed with costly lace.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baroness Windeg could never have been called upon to offer +practical help to a wounded man, or she would have said to herself that +this tiny embroidered morsel of cambric was ill-qualified to stanch +such a stream of blood as now poured forth, the thick masses of light +hair having, for a time, impeded the flow. Ulric must have known better +how useless it was, yet he stretched out his hand for the proffered +help.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Thanks, my lady, but that will not serve us much," said the Manager, +who had come up, and now laid his arm round his son's shoulder. "Keep +still, Ulric!" and he drew out his own strong linen handkerchief, and +applied it to what appeared to be a deep wound in the head.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Is it dangerous?" languidly asked Arthur Berkow, coming over to the +spot accompanied by the other gentlemen.</p> + +<p class="normal">With one push Ulric freed himself from his father, and he stood erect, +his blue eyes gleaming more darkly than ever, as he answered roughly:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not in the least. Nobody need trouble themselves about it, I can take +care of myself."</p> + +<p class="normal">The words had a disrespectful sound, but the recent service he had +rendered was too great for any one to find fault with them. Herr Berkow +seemed relieved that the answer spared him any further trouble about +the business.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I will send the doctor to him," said he, in his quiet indifferent way, +"and we will reserve our thanks for another time. At present, there +seems to be assistance enough. Will you not come, Eugénie?"</p> + +<p class="normal">His wife took the arm he offered her, but she turned her head once +again, as if to assure herself that the required succour was really +there. It seemed as though she did not quite approve of the way her +husband treated the matter.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Our whole reception is a failure!" said Wilberg to the chief-engineer +a few minutes later, as, quite dispirited, he joined the others in +escorting the proprietor's son and his bride to the house.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And your poem into the bargain!" joked the person addressed. "Who can +think now of flowers and verses? Really, for any one who believes in +omens, this first home-coming can hardly be called promising. Deadly +peril, wounds and bloodshed! there is something romantic in it, just in +your style, Wilberg. You should write a ballad about it, only this time +you would have no choice but to take Hartmann for your hero."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And what a bear he is after all!" said Wilberg excitedly. "Might he +not have said a word of thanks to Lady Berkow when she offered him her +own handkerchief? And then he replied to Herr Arthur in such an +ill-mannered way. But the fellow has the strength of a giant! when I +asked him why, for goodness sake, he had not put a bandage on sooner, +he answered curtly that he had not noticed the wound at first. What do +you say to that? He gets a blow on the head which would have stretched +one of us senseless, and he first tames the horses, carries the lady +away from the carriage, and only awakes to the fact that he is wounded +when the blood rushes down in a stream. I should like to see any one +else who could do it!"</p> + +<p class="normal">The miners had gathered round their comrade in the meantime, and much +dissatisfaction was expressed among them at the way their future master +had behaved to him. It seemed to give them great offence that he should +have, for the time being at least, eluded all expression of gratitude. +Many dark looks, many cutting remarks passed; even the Manager wrinkled +his brow, and, for a wonder, uttered no word in Arthur's defence.</p> + +<p class="normal">He was still trying to stanch the blood, and was actively aided therein +by Martha, whose face betrayed anxiety so unmistakable that it must +have struck even Ulric, had not his eyes been turned in quite a +different direction. Long and gloomily he gazed after the party which +had just left him. Clearly his thoughts were taken up by something far +other than the pain of his wound.</p> + +<p class="normal">As the old man was placing a temporary bandage on his son's bleeding +brow, he noticed that Ulric still held the lace handkerchief in his +hand.</p> + +<p class="normal">"That cobweb," said he, with unusual bitterness, "that embroidered +cobweb would have been a great deal of use to us! Give it to Martha, +Ulric, she can restore it to her ladyship."</p> + +<p class="normal">Ulric looked down at the dainty little thing which lay so softly +between his fingers; as Martha stretched out her hand for it, he raised +it quickly and pressed it to his wound, staining the delicate lace a +deep red.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What are you about?" said his father, half-astonished, half-angry. +"Are you going to stop up a hole in your head an inch deep with that +thing? I should think we had handkerchiefs enough of our own."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, yes, I did not think what I was doing," returned Ulric shortly. +"Let it be, Martha, it is spoilt now any way!" and, so saying, he +thrust it into his blouse.</p> + +<p class="normal">The girl's hands, which had been so busy, fell down idly all at once, +and she stood by while the Manager adjusted and secured the bandage. +Her eyes were fixed wonderingly on Ulric's face. Why had he been in +such a hurry to spoil the pretty thing? Was it because he did not want +to give it back?</p> + +<p class="normal">The young miner certainly possessed no special aptitude for the rôle of +a sick man. He had shown himself very impatient of the services +rendered him, and it had needed all his father's authority to induce +him to submit to them. Now he stood up and declared emphatically that +it was enough, and that he must be left in peace.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Let him alone, an obstinate fellow!" said the Manager. "You know well +there is nothing to be done with him. We shall hear what the doctor +says. You are a pretty sort of hero, Ulric! You would not lend a +helping hand with the arch built in honour of the family; on no +account, it would be demeaning yourself! but you can throw yourself +under the horses' feet when they are running away with the said family, +without one thought for the old father who has nobody in the world but +his son to look to! You don't mind doing that! Ah! that is being what +you call 'logical' in your new-fangled speech. Now, you lads who follow +your lord and master in everything, it will do no harm this time if you +take example by him."</p> + +<p class="normal">With these words, through which, spite of their disguise of assumed +grumbling, the pride he felt in his son and his tender love for him +showed all too plainly, the old man seized Ulric's arm and led him +away.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER IV.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">Evening was drawing on. The festivities on the Berkow estates had been +participated in by the bridal pair, and, so far at least, had attained +their end. After the happy termination of that perilous incident which +had so nearly compromised the whole proceedings, the original programme +had been strictly adhered to. The young couple, everywhere in +requisition during the afternoon, found themselves at last at home, and +left to each other's company. Herr Schäffer had just taken his leave, +he was to return to the elder Herr Berkow in the city the following +morning; and the servant, who had been busy with the arrangements of +the tea-table, now disappeared in his turn.</p> + +<p class="normal">The lamp on the table shed its clear mild light on the pale blue +draperies and costly furniture of the little salon, which, like all the +other rooms in the house, had been newly and splendidly decorated for +the reception of the new mistress, and formed part of the suite +appropriated to her use. The silk curtains, closely drawn, shut from it +the outer world; flowers filled the stands and vases, perfuming the +air, and on a table before a little sofa stood the silver tea-service +ready for use. In spite of all the splendour, it was a perfect little +picture of domestic comfort.</p> + +<p class="normal">So far, at least, as the boudoir itself was concerned; but the newly +married couple hardly seemed as yet to appreciate its home-like +charm. The bride, still in full dress, stood in the middle of the room +musing, and holding in her hand the bouquet which Wilberg, in Martha's +stead, had had the happiness of offering her. The scent from the +orange-blossoms engrossed her attention so completely, that she had +none left for her husband, and he certainly made no very vigorous claim +upon it. Scarcely had the door closed behind the footman, when he sank +into an armchair with an air of exhaustion.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is enough to kill one, this making a show of one's self for ever! +Is not it, Eugénie? They have not granted us a minute's respite since +yesterday at noon. First the ceremony, then the dinner, then a most +fatiguing journey by rail and post, which went on all through the night +and forenoon of to-day, then the tragic episode; here again a +reception, presentation of officials, dinner.... My father did not +remember evidently, when he sketched out the programme, that we possess +anything like nerves. I own that mine are completely unstrung!"</p> + +<p class="normal">His wife turned her head and cast a very contemptuous glance at the +man, who, in his first tête-à-tête with her, could talk of his nerves. +Eugénie did not appear to have much knowledge of such ailments; not a +trace of fatigue was to be seen on her fair face.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Have you heard whether young Hartmann's wound is dangerous?" asked she +by way of answer.</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur had exerted himself to make an exceptionally long speech; he +seemed surprised that it had obtained so little notice.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Schäffer says it is nothing," he returned indifferently; "he has +spoken to the doctor, I think. By the by, we shall have to make the +young fellow some sort of recognition. I shall commission the Director +to see about it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ought you not rather to take the matter into your own hands?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I? No, pray spare me that! I hear he is not a common miner after all, +but the son of the manager, a deputy, or something of the kind. How can +I tell whether money, or a present, or what would be the proper thing +to give him? The Director will manage it admirably."</p> + +<p class="normal">He let his head sink into the cushions again. Eugénie answered nothing; +she sat down on the sofa and leaned her head on her hand. After the +pause of a minute or so, it seemed, however, to occur to Herr Arthur +that he owed his young wife some attention, and that he could not +possibly remain silent and buried in his arm-chair during the entire +hour the tea-drinking would be supposed to last. It cost him an effort, +but he made the sacrifice and actually rose to his feet. Going over to +his wife, he seated himself by her side, took her hand and even went so +far as to attempt passing his arm round her. But it was only an +attempt. With a quick movement, Eugénie drew her hand out of his and +retreated from him, casting a glance at him like that which, yesterday +in church, had so spoiled his father's first embrace. There was the +same cold haughty repulse in her look which said better than any words: +"I am not to be approached by you, or any like you."</p> + +<p class="normal">But this high disdainful manner, so imposing to the father, proved less +so when employed towards the son, probably because the latter was no +longer to be awed by anything. He appeared neither intimidated nor +disconcerted at this evident show of repugnance, but merely looked up +with some faint surprise.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Is that disagreeable to you, Eugénie?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is new to me at least. You have hitherto spared me such marks of +affection."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young man was too apathetic to feel all the bitter meaning of these +words. He took them as a reproach.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hitherto? Well, yes, etiquette was rather severely maintained in your +father's house. During the whole two months of our engagement, I had +not once the happiness of seeing you alone. The continual presence of +your father or your brothers laid a restraint upon us which, now we are +together quietly for the first time, may well be laid aside."</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie retreated still farther.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well then, now that we are quietly alone together, I declare that such +tender demonstrations, made just to satisfy appearances, and in which +the heart has no share, are positively distasteful to me. I release you +once for all from any such obligations."</p> + +<p class="normal">The surprise in Arthur's face became a little more marked now; so far, +however, he was not really roused.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You seem to be in rather a peculiar humour to-day. Appearances! Heart! +Really, Eugénie, I should not have expected to find such romantic +illusions in you of all people."</p> + +<p class="normal">An expression of deep bitterness passed over her features.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I took leave of all illusions in life when I promised you my hand. You +and your father were bent on uniting your name with that of Windeg, +which is old and noble. You thought, by doing so, you would obtain +those honours and that society from which you had hitherto been shut +out. Well, you have gained your end. For the future, I must sign myself +Eugénie Berkow!"</p> + +<p class="normal">She laid a most contemptuous stress on the last word. Arthur had risen; +he seemed to understand at last that this was something more than a +bride's caprice, called forth, possibly, by his negligence during the +journey.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You certainly do not seem to like the name much. Until to-day, I had +no idea that, in taking it, you had yielded to constraint from your +family, but I begin to think"----</p> + +<p class="normal">"No one has constrained me!" interrupted Eugénie. "No one has even +persuaded me. What I did, I did voluntarily, with full consciousness of +what I was undertaking. It was hard enough for them at home that I +should be sacrificed for their sakes."</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur shrugged his shoulders; it was plain from the expression of his +face that the conversation was beginning to weary him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I really do not understand how you can speak in such a tragic tone +about a simple family arrangement. If my father, in making it, had +other objects in view, I suppose the Baron's motives were not of a very +romantic nature either, only he, probably, had still more cogent +reasons for approving of a marriage by which he certainly was not the +loser."</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie started up, her eyes flashed, and a hasty movement of her arm +threw the fragrant bouquet to the ground.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And you dare to say that to me? After what occurred before your suit +was accepted? I thought, at least, you would blush for it, if indeed +you are still capable of blushing."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young man's languid, half-closed eyes opened suddenly, large +and full; there came a gleam into them, like a sudden spark shooting +up from beneath dead ashes, but his voice retained its quiet +matter-of-fact tone.</p> + +<p class="normal">"First of all, I must beg of you to be a little clearer. I feel myself +quite unable to make out these enigmatic speeches."</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie crossed her arms with a rapid movement; her bosom heaved +tumultuously.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You know, as well as I do, that we were on the brink of ruin. Whose +the fault may have been, I cannot and will not decide. It is easy to +throw stones at one who is struggling with adversity. When a man has +inherited estates overburdened with debt, when he has to maintain the +repute of an old name, to keep up a position in society, and to assure +his children's future, he cannot amass money as you do in your +industrial world. You have always had gold to throw away, your every +wish has been forestalled, every whim gratified. I have tasted all the +misery of an existence, which, wearing of necessity the outward mask of +splendour, was every day, every hour, drawing nearer inevitable ruin. +Perhaps we might yet have escaped, if we had not fallen precisely into +Berkow's nets. He fairly forced his help on us at first, forced it upon +us until he had got everything into his hands, until we, pursued, +entrapped, despairing, literally knew not which way to turn. Then he +came and claimed my hand for his son as the sole price of deliverance. +Rather than offer me up, my father would have braved the worst, but I +would not see him sacrificed, his whole career destroyed, I would not +have my brother's future blighted, our name dishonoured, so I gave my +consent. Not one of my family knew what it cost me!--but, if I sold +myself, I can answer for it to God, and to my conscience. You, who lent +yourself to be the tool of your father's base designs, have no right to +reproach me; my motives were at least nobler than yours!"</p> + +<p class="normal">She paused, overcome by her emotion. Her husband still stood motionless +before her; there was the same slight pallor on his face as had been +visible at noon, when the danger was just overpast, but his eyes were +veiled once more.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I regret that you did not make these disclosures to me before our +marriage," said he, slowly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Because you would not then have incurred the humiliation of signing +yourself Eugénie Berkow."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young wife was silent.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I had not the slightest suspicion of these--these manipulations on my +father's part," continued Arthur, "for my habit is in no way to +interfere with his business concerns. He said to me one day, that if I +chose to sue for the hand of Baron Windeg's daughter, my proposal would +be accepted. I agreed to the plan, and I was formally presented to you, +our betrothal following a few days later. That is my share of the +business."</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie turned away.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I would rather have had a plain avowal of your complicity than this +fable," she said coldly.</p> + +<p class="normal">Again the man's eyes opened wide, and again that strange light gleamed +in them, ready to kindle into flame, but ever anew quenched by the +ashes.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It seems I stand so high in my wife's estimation, that my words do not +even find credence with her?" said he, this time with a decided touch +of bitterness.</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie's fair face expressed the most sovereign contempt, as she +turned it towards her husband, and she answered slightingly:</p> + +<p class="normal">"You really must excuse me, Arthur, for not meeting you in a spirit of +perfect confidence. Until the day you entered our house for the first +time on an errand I understood but too well--until then, I had known +you only through the city gossip, and it"----</p> + +<p class="normal">"Drew no flattering portrait of me? That I can well believe. Will you +not have the goodness to tell me what people were pleased to say of me +in town?"</p> + +<p class="normal">She raised her large eyes and looked him steadily in the face.</p> + +<p class="normal">"People said that Arthur Berkow only made so princely a display, only +threw away thousands upon thousands, in order to buy the favour of the +young nobility and the right to associate with them, hoping that his +own humble birth would thus be forgotten. People said that in the wild, +dissipated doings of a certain set, he was the wildest, the most +dissipated of all. As to some of the other reports, it would ill become +me as a woman to pronounce upon them."</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur's hand still rested on the back of the armchair on which he was +leaning; during the last few seconds it had buried itself involuntarily +deeper and deeper in the silken cushions.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And you naturally do not think it worth while to attempt to reclaim +this lost sinner, on whom sentence has been passed without appeal?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No."</p> + +<p class="normal">She spoke this 'No' in a freezing tone. The young man's face twitched a +little as he drew himself up quickly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are more than sincere! Never mind, it is an advantage to know +exactly on what footing we are to be together, for together we must +remain for a time, at all events. The step we took yesterday cannot be +recalled immediately, without exposing us both to ridicule. If you +provoked this scene with a view to showing me, that though my +presumption had won your hand, yet I must learn to hold myself at a +respectful distance from the Baroness Windeg--and I fear this was your +sole object--you have gained your end, but"----here Arthur relapsed +into his old languid manner, "but I beg of you, let this be the first +and last conversation of the kind between us. I detest everything which +resembles a scene; my nerves really will not bear them, and it is +always possible to regulate one's life without any such useless +excitement. And now I think I shall best meet your wishes by leaving +you alone. Allow me to wish you good evening."</p> + +<p class="normal">He took up from the sideboard a silver candelabra, in which lights were +burning, and left the room. Outside the threshold he stopped a moment +and turned to look back. The gleam in his eyes was no longer faint, it +blazed up for one second clear and bright; then all grew dull and +lifeless once more, but the candles flared unsteadily as he crossed the +anteroom, possibly from the current of air, or was it because the hand +which carried them shook a little?</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie remained alone. She drew a deep breath of relief as the +<i>portière</i> fell behind her husband. As though needing some fresh air +after so painful a scene, she drew the curtains back, half opened the +window, and, stepping on to the balcony, looked out at the balmy spring +evening. The stars shone faintly through the thin transparent clouds +which veiled the heavens, and the landscape without looked indistinct +and shadowy, for the deep twilight had already fallen, clothing +it on all sides with its dusky garment The flowers on the terrace +below filled the air with their fragrance, and the low splash +of the fountains came refreshingly to the ear. Peace and rest were +everywhere--everywhere but in the heart of the young wife, who, to-day, +for the first time, had crossed the threshold of her new home.</p> + +<p class="normal">It was over at last, the dumb torturing struggle of the last two +months, through which she had been supported by the pain and by the +ardour of the fight itself. For heroic natures there is something grand +in the idea of giving up one's whole future for others, of buying their +salvation with the happiness of one's own life, of sacrificing one's +self in their stead to an inexorable destiny. But now when the +sacrifice was made, when deliverance had been secured, when there was +nothing left to fight for, and nothing to overcome, now all the +romantic glamour, which filial love had hitherto woven round Eugénie's +resolve, faded away, and she began to feel deeply the cold desolation +of the life before her.</p> + +<p class="normal">The breezy, balmy air of the spring evening seemed to stir in its +depths all the long-repressed anguish of this young soul, which had +demanded its share of love and happiness from life, and which had been +so cruelly robbed of its lawful due. She was young and beautiful, more +beautiful than most, she was of a noble old race; and the proud +daughter of the Windegs had ever adorned the hero of her youthful +dreams with all the brilliant chivalry of her forefathers. That he +should be her equal in name and rank was a thing never questioned .... +and now? Had the husband, who had been forced upon her, possessed that +energy and strength of character which she prized above everything in a +man, she might, perhaps, have forgiven him his plebeian birth; but this +weakling, whom she had despised before she had known him----Had the +insults, which she, with fullest intent, had heaped upon him, and which +would have stung any other man to fury, even roused him from his +apathetic indifference? Had this apathy of his been shaken even for one +moment by the open expression of her contempt? Another, a stranger, +must throw himself before the maddened animals this morning, at the +risk of being trampled to death by them.</p> + +<p class="normal">Before Eugénie's mental vision rose the face of her deliverer with its +defiant blue eyes and bleeding forehead. Her husband did not even know +whether this man's wound were dangerous, whether it might not prove +mortal, yet both he and she must have perished but for that energetic, +lightning-like deed.</p> + +<p class="normal">She sank back into a seat and hid her face in her hands. All that she +had suffered and fought against for months pressed in on her now with +tenfold power, and found utterance in the one despairing cry, "My God! +my God! how shall I bear this life?"</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER V.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">Herr Berkow's very extensive mining works lay at some distance from the +capital, in one of the remoter provinces. The neighbouring country +offered no great attractions. Hills, and nothing but hills; for miles +around only the uniform dark green of the pines, which clothed alike +the heights and valleys; buried in their midst occasional villages and +hamlets, and, here and there, a farm or a country-house. But the soil +up in these parts could not yield much. The treasures of the land lay +hidden under the earth, and therefore was it that all the life and +activity of the neighbourhood congregated to the Berkow estates, where +operations on a magnificent scale were carried on for bringing these +treasures forth to the light of day.</p> + +<p class="normal">The estates were rather isolated and cut off from the great lines of +communication, for the nearest town was some miles distant; but the +great labyrinth of buildings, store and dwelling houses, which had +sprung up in these quiet valleys, with all their busy life and +movement, formed almost a town in itself. Every appliance which +industry or science could suggest, every assistance which machinery and +men's hands could afford, was here brought into play to wring its +treasures from the reluctant earth. A perfect host of officials, of +engineers, inspectors, and superintendents, all under the control of +the Director, formed a colony apart, and the men, to be counted by +several thousands, only a small minority of whom could be lodged on the +spot, lived in the adjacent villages.</p> + +<p class="normal">The undertaking which, from a very insignificant beginning, had only +been raised by the present proprietor to the vast proportions it had +now attained, seemed almost too great for the means of any private +individual. A gigantic capital was indeed needed to keep it on foot; it +was by far the most important enterprise of the sort in the province, +and took the lead, therefore, in its branch of industry. This +settlement with its unlimited forces of machinery and hand labour, +with its establishments and dwelling-houses, with its officials and +working-men, formed a state in itself, and its master was as sovereign +a lord as any ruler of a small principality.</p> + +<p class="normal">It was somewhat surprising that a man at the head of such an +undertaking should have hitherto failed to obtain a distinction for +which he had striven, and which had been granted to others who had done +less for the industry of the country. But whenever the decision on such +matters emanates directly from a very high quarter, the character and +conduct of the candidate for honours come into question. It was so +here. Berkow enjoyed but little sympathy in the leading circles of +society; there were so many dark spots in his past life, which his +riches could veil, but not altogether efface. He had certainly never +come into open conflict with the law, but he had often enough drawn +very near those confines where the law's action makes itself felt. It +was even averred by many that his operations in the distant province, +on however grand a scale they might be, were yet not altogether +exemplary.</p> + +<p class="normal">Much was said of an unscrupulous system of working, which aimed only at +increasing the proprietor's wealth, and took no heed of the ill or well +being of those human agents impressed into its service, of arbitrary +encroachments on the part of the officials, of a low ferment of +discontent among the hands. But, after all, these were only reports, +the settlement itself lay too far off for them to be verified; on the +other hand, the fact remained certain that it proved an almost +inexhaustible source of wealth to its owner.</p> + +<p class="normal">Every one was forced, indeed, to confess that this man's perseverance, +tenacity, and industrial genius, were at least equal to his +unscrupulousness. Sprung originally from a very low condition, tossed +hither and thither by the waves of life, he had at last succeeded in +gaining a point of vantage, and now for some years had enjoyed the +undisputed position of a millionaire. In fact, fortune had latterly +seemed to follow in his footsteps; each time he put her to the test, +she remained faithful to him, and the most precarious transaction, the +most hazardous speculation, would invariably succeed if his hand were +but at the helm.</p> + +<p class="normal">Berkow had become a widower early in life, and had never re-married. To +his restless mind, always bent upon the chances of gain, home-ties +seemed more of a chain than a consolation. His only son and heir had +been brought up in the capital, and nothing had been spared for his +education in the way of tutors, professors, visits to the University, +and home and foreign travel. But as for any peculiar preparation for +his calling as the future head and leader of a great industrial +enterprise, such a thing was not thought of.</p> + +<p class="normal">Herr Arthur showed a decided distaste for learning anything beyond the +usual fashionable curriculum, and his father was much too weak, and +much too vain of the brilliant rôle his son was playing--to support +which he himself cheerfully paid--ever to insist upon a more thorough +course of study. If it came to the worst, there were always capable men +enough to be had whose technical and commercial knowledge could be +secured at a high salary. So the young heir came but once a year to his +possessions in the far-off province, while his father, though he took +up his residence occasionally in the capital, still retained the +superintendence of the whole concern.</p> + +<p class="normal">The young couple had not been specially favoured by the weather during +their visit to the country. The sun showed itself but rarely this +spring-time; after many rainy days it shone out at last, however, as if +to greet the Sunday. The shafts were empty and the works at rest; but +in spite of the Sabbath calm and the smiling sunshine, something of the +gloomy monotonous character of the country seemed to weigh on the whole +colony.</p> + +<p class="normal">No attempt at embellishment, no attention to the convenience of the +inhabitants, was noticeable in the buildings connected with the +industry of the place, or in the dwelling-houses; they were all +constructed on a strictly utilitarian principle. That a due sense of +the beautiful was not wanting to the proprietor, his own house +sufficiently attested. Care had been taken to build it at a suitable +distance from the works, and so that it should command a full view over +the wooded hills. Within and without it was fitted up and decorated in +so luxurious a style as to be almost princely, and with its balconies, +terraces and flower gardens, it looked like an oasis of fragrance and +poetry lying in the midst of this busy region.</p> + +<p class="normal">In the immediate neighbourhood of the shafts stood the cottage of +Hartmann, the Manager. Its appearance plainly showed that the occupant +enjoyed a position of peculiar privilege, and so indeed it was. In his +youth the sturdy miner had married a girl in the service of the late +Frau Berkow, and a special favourite of her mistress. Even after her +marriage the young woman preserved something of her old relations with +her former employers, and so it came to pass that her husband was +favoured and preferred in every way, advanced from post to post, and +finally even promoted to be working-manager. These relations and these +favours ceased, it is true, at Frau Berkow's death; the widower was not +the man to trouble himself about former members of his household, and +when Hartmann's wife also died shortly afterwards, the old connection +came altogether to an end.</p> + +<p class="normal">But from that time forth, the Manager had cherished a strong devotion +to the Berkow family, to whose support he owed his present position so +devoid of care, whereas, without it, he would probably, like so many of +his comrades, never have got beyond the laborious, poorly-paid work +in the mines. Several years ago he had brought home his sister's +orphan-child, Martha Ewers, and now she admirably filled the place of +mistress of his house. As for the fulfilment of his secret desire that +she and his son should come together as man and wife, there seemed so +far but small prospect of it.</p> + +<p class="normal">On this particular Sunday morning, the cottage, formerly so peaceful, +had been the scene of one of those excited discussions which unhappily +had ceased to be uncommon between father and son. The Manager, standing +in the middle of the room, was declaiming violently at Ulric, who had +just returned from the Director's house, and now leaned, silent and +morose, against the door. Martha stood a little apart, watching the +strife with unconcealed anxiety.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Was such a thing ever heard of!" stormed the old man. "Have you not +enemies enough up yonder, that you must set to work to hunt up more? A +sum of money is offered to my gentleman there, large enough to begin +housekeeping upon, and he sets his obstinate head against it, and says +'No!' without more ado! But what do you care about housekeeping and the +like? Much you think of taking a wife! To bury yourself in your +newspapers when you come home from work; to sit up half the night over +your books, and stuff your head full of that new-fangled nonsense which +an honest miner has no need to know anything about; to play the lord +and master among your mates, so that soon we shall not have to ask +the Director, but Herr Ulric Hartmann, what is to be done upon the +works--that is all that pleases you. And when, for once in a way, we +are reminded that, after all, we are nothing more as yet than a Deputy, +then we talk of 'not taking payment,' and throw it back in our +employers' faces. I should think if any one ever really earned money, +it was you that day."</p> + +<p class="normal">Ulric had listened in silence so far, but at the last few words he +stamped his foot angrily.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Once for all, I will have nothing to do with the set up there. I have +told them that I want no payment for my 'courageous act,' which they +make such a fuss about, and I'll take none, so there's an end of it."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Manager's anger flamed out again; he was just beginning a still +sharper remonstrance when Martha interrupted him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Let him be, uncle," said she shortly; "he is right."</p> + +<p class="normal">The old man, quite disconcerted at this unlooked-for interference, +stared at her open-mouthed.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh! he is right, is he?" he repeated grimly. "I might have been sure +you would take his part!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ulric is angry that they should have tried to pay their debt through +the Director, without giving themselves any further trouble about the +matter," continued the girl firmly, "and it was not seemly. If Herr +Berkow had spoken to him himself, and said just one word of thanks ... +But he indeed! he troubles himself about nothing on earth. He always +looks as if he were half asleep, and as if it cost him the most +dreadful effort even to look at one; and when, for a wonder, he is not +really asleep, he lies all day long on a sofa and stares at the +ceiling" ...</p> + +<p class="normal">"Let the young master alone!" broke in the Manager hastily. "All that +lies at his father's door. From his childhood, Herr Berkow has given +way to all his wishes, and encouraged him in his faults. He used to +tell him constantly how rich he would be one day, and to send away the +tutors and servants if they would not obey the youngster. Later on, +when he grew older, he was only to associate with counts and barons. +Money was handed over to him in heaps, and the madder his way of life +was, the better his father was pleased. How could a young lad like that +keep his own goodness of heart? For a good heart he had, young Arthur, +as to that no one shall say me nay! I ought to know, for I have ridden +him often on my knee--and he had some feeling too. I remember well when +he had to go away to town after his mother's death, how he clung to me +and cried bitterly, so that they could not get him away, though Herr +Berkow was begging, and coaxing, and promising him everything in the +world. I had to carry him to the carriage myself. No doubt, when he had +been in the city a while with all those <i>bonnes</i> and masters, it was +different; next time he just gave me his hand, and since then he has +always grown prouder and cooler, until now"----an expression of pain +passed over the old man's face, but he shook off the weakness quickly, +and went on. "Well! it does not matter much to me, but I do not like to +hear you rail at him, whenever you get a chance, especially Ulric, who +has a downright hatred to him. If that obstinate fellow had had as much +of his own way, and some thousands to spend into the bargain, I should +like to know what he would have grown into! Nothing good, that is +certain."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Perhaps something worse, father," said Ulric, curtly, "but he would +not have grown into a milksop like that, you may take my word for it."</p> + +<p class="normal">The conversation, which again seemed taking a critical turn, was now +fortunately brought to an end. There came a knock at the door, and a +servant, in the rich and somewhat over-decorated livery of the Berkow +family, entered without waiting for an invitation, and greeted the +Manager with a "Good-day."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Her ladyship sent me over. I am to tell your Ulric--oh! there you are, +Hartmann! Her ladyship wishes to speak to you; I am to say she will +expect you over there at seven o'clock sharp."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Me?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ulric?"</p> + +<p class="normal">These two exclamations were uttered by the old man and his son, in a +tone of equal surprise; as to Martha, she stood looking at the man in +blank astonishment. He continued equably:</p> + +<p class="normal">"There must have been something up between you and the Director, +Hartmann. He was with her ladyship quite early to-day, though, in a +usual way, she does not trouble herself about the gentlemen's business +matters, and I was sent off to you at full speed. There is plenty to do +up at the house, I assure you; all the gentlemen from the works are +invited to dinner, and there are all sorts of grandees coming out from +the town too.... But I have not a moment's time. Be punctual, seven +o'clock, just after dinner."</p> + +<p class="normal">The man seemed really in a hurry; he nodded shortly, by way of adieu to +all present, and went.</p> + +<p class="normal">"There!" burst forth the Manager. "They know already of your ridiculous +refusal up there. Now look to yourself to find a way of settling the +business."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Shall you go, Ulric?" quickly and eagerly asked Martha, who had +remained silent so far.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What are you thinking of, child?" scolded her uncle. "Do you suppose +he can say no again, when the mistress sends expressly for him. But you +and he would both be capable of it, really!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Martha did not attend to this speech. She drew nearer her cousin, and +laid her hand on his arm.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Shall you go?" she repeated in a low tone.</p> + +<p class="normal">Ulric stood looking darkly at the ground, as though a struggle were +going on within him. Presently he threw back his head hastily.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Certainly I shall. I should be glad to know what her ladyship can be +pleased to want with me now, after passing a whole week without once +taking the trouble to inquire"----</p> + +<p class="normal">He stopped short, as if he felt he had said too much. Martha's hand +slid from his arm, and she stepped back, but the Manager said with a +sigh,</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, Heaven save us, if you go behaving in that way up yonder! To +make things worse, old Berkow came down yesterday evening. If you two +get together, your time here as Deputy is over, and mine as Manager +will not be long. I know the master well!"</p> + +<p class="normal">A contemptuous expression played about the young man's lips.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Make your mind easy, father. They know how fond you are of the +'family,' and what trouble your unnatural son causes you. He won't even +bow down to his betters! No one will quarrel with you, and I"----here +Ulric drew himself up to his full height, in defiant self-assertion, "I +shall stay on here for a time, at least. They dare not send me away, +they are far too much afraid of me."</p> + +<p class="normal">He turned his back on his father, pushed open the door, and walked out. +The Manager clapped his hands together, and was about to send another +thundering reproof after his rebellious son, but Martha stopped him, by +again, and still more decidedly this time, taking Ulric's part. Tired +of the strife at last, the old man caught hold of his pipe, and +prepared to go out likewise.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hark ye, Martha," said he, turning round in the doorway. "I can see +this by you. There is no rebel living but can be over-matched. You have +found your master in Ulric, and he will find his, too, as sure as my +name is Gotthold Hartmann!"</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER VI.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">Meanwhile preparations were being made up at the great house for the +grand dinner which was to take place that day. Servants ran up and down +stairs, cooks and maids bustled about the kitchens and pantries. There +was everywhere something to be attended to, some alteration to be made, +and the whole house offered that appearance of busy unrest which +usually precedes a festivity.</p> + +<p class="normal">The quiet reigning in young Berkow's rooms seemed even greater by the +contrast. The curtains were let down, the <i>portières</i> closed, and in +the adjoining apartments, the servants glided noiselessly about over +the thick carpets, putting everything in order. Their master was +accustomed to dream away the greater part of the day, lying at full +length on his sofa, and he did not care to be disturbed by even the +slightest noise.</p> + +<p class="normal">The young heir lay, with half-closed eyes, stretched on a divan. He +held a book in his hand, which he was, or rather had been, reading, for +the same page had remained long open before him; probably he had found +the trouble of turning the leaves too great. Presently, the book fell +from his negligent hold, and slipped from his long delicate fingers on +to the floor. It would not have been a great exertion to stoop and pick +it up, still less to call for that purpose the busy servants near at +hand, but he did neither. The book lay on the carpet, and Arthur passed +the next quarter of an hour without changing his position or moving in +the slightest degree. His face showed sufficiently that he was not +meditating on what he had read, he was not even day-dreaming; he was +simply feeling himself unutterably bored.</p> + +<p class="normal">The somewhat ruthless opening of a door which led from the corridor +into the neighbouring room, and the sound of a loud imperious voice +within, put an end to this interesting state of things. The elder +Berkow asked if his son were still there, and, on receiving a reply in +the affirmative, he sent the servant away, pushed back the heavy +<i>portières</i>, and entered the inner room. His countenance was flushed as +though from vexation or anger, and the cloud resting on his brow grew +darker as he caught sight of Arthur.</p> + +<p class="normal">"So you are still lying on that sofa, just as you were three hours +ago!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur was not accustomed, it seemed, to show his father even the +outward forms of respect. He had taken no notice of his entrance, and +it did not now occur to him to modify the extreme negligence of his +attitude.</p> + +<p class="normal">The lines on his father's brow grew deeper still.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your apathy and indolence really begin to pass belief. It is even +worse here than in town. I hoped you would conform to my wishes, and +take some interest in the success of a concern which was started solely +on your account, but"----</p> + +<p class="normal">"Good Heavens, sir!" said the young man, "you do not want me to trouble +myself about workmen and machinery and such things, do you? I never +have done so, and I can't, for my life, comprehend why you should have +sent us here of all places. I am nearly bored to death in this +wilderness."</p> + +<p class="normal">He spoke languidly, but quite in the tone of a spoilt darling, +accustomed everywhere, and under all circumstances, to see his caprices +taken into account, and to whom even the suggestion of anything +unpleasant was an offence. Something must have happened, however, to +irritate his father too much for him to yield this time, as was his +custom. He shrugged his shoulders impatiently.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am pretty well used to your being bored to death in every place and +in all company, whilst I have to bear all the care and burden alone. +Just now, worries are coming in upon me on all sides. It cost +sacrifices enough to free the Windegs from their obligations, and here +I find nothing but vexation and disagreeables without end. I have had a +meeting this morning of all the superior officials with the Director at +their head, and I was forced to listen to complaints, and nothing but +complaints. Extensive repairs in the shafts--increase of wages--new +ventilators. Nonsense! as if I had time and money for that now!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur listened without any show of sympathy; if his face expressed +anything, it was the desire he felt that his father would go away. But +the latter was not so obliging; he began to pace up and down the room.</p> + +<p class="normal">"This comes of trusting to one's agents and their reports! For the last +six months I have not been here in person, and everything is going to +the deuce. They talk of a ferment of discontent among the hands, of +grave symptoms and danger threatening, as if they had not full +authority to draw the reins as tight as they choose. A certain Hartmann +is pointed out to me as chief agitator. He is looked upon by the other +miners as a sort of Messiah, and he is secretly stirring up the whole +works to revolt. When I ask why, in Heaven's name, they have not sent +the fellow about his business long ago, what answer do I get? They dare +not! So far, he has given no grounds for dissatisfaction on the score +of his work, and his comrades fairly worship him. There would be a +strike on the works if he were sent away without sufficient motive. I +took the liberty of telling these gentlemen that they were a set of +timid hares, and that I would take the thing into hand myself. The +shafts will remain as they are, and as to the question of wages, not an +iota of difference shall be made in them. The least attempt at a +rising will be met with the utmost severity, and I shall dismiss the +plotter-in-chief myself this very day."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You can't do that, sir!" said Arthur suddenly, half raising himself on +the sofa.</p> + +<p class="normal">Berkow stood still in surprise.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why not?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Because it was precisely this Hartmann who stopped our horses and +saved us from certain death."</p> + +<p class="normal">His father uttered an exclamation of suppressed wrath.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The devil! it must just be that fellow! No, then, certainly we cannot +send him off at a minute's notice, we must wait for an opportunity. By +the by, Arthur," with a displeased look at his son, "it was rather too +bad that I should have to hear of that accident from a stranger. You +did not think it worth while to write a syllable to me about it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why should I?" returned the young man, resting his head wearily on his +hand. "The thing was happily over, and, besides, they have nearly worn +the life out of us up here with their sympathy, their congratulations, +their questions, and their palaver about it. I do not think one's life +is so valuable it is worth making such a fuss about its being saved."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You don't think it is?" said the father, looking keenly at him. "I +should have thought, as you were only married the day before"----</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur answered only with a shrug. Berkow's eyes rested on him with a +still more searching gaze.</p> + +<p class="normal">"As we are on the subject--what is all this between you and your wife?" +asked he, all at once, without anything by way of preface.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Between me and my wife?" repeated Arthur, as though trying to remember +who was meant.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, between you two. I expect to take by surprise a newly-married +pair in their honeymoon, and I find a state of things here which I +should never have supposed possible. You ride out alone, and she drives +alone. You never go near each other's rooms, and when you are together, +you have not half-a-dozen words to say to one another. What does it all +mean?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The younger man had risen now, and was standing opposite his father, +but he had not thrown off his sleepy look.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You seem to have mastered the details thoroughly, sir," said he. "You +could hardly have learnt them all in the half-hour we spent together +yesterday evening. Have you been questioning the servants?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Arthur!" Berkow's anger was breaking forth, but the habit of +indulgence towards his son made him overlook this great offence. He +forced himself to be calm.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It appears you are not accustomed up here to the fashionable way of +doing things," continued Arthur, quite undisturbed. "Now, in regard to +this, we are eminently aristocratic. You know, sir, you are so fond of +all that is aristocratic!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Leave your jests!" said Berkow, impatiently. "Is it your pleasure, +too, that your wife should allow herself to ignore you in a way which +is already the talk of the whole place?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I leave her free, that is, to do as she likes, just as I intend to do +myself."</p> + +<p class="normal">Berkow started up from his seat</p> + +<p class="normal">"This is really going too far! Arthur, you are"----</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not like you, sir!" interrupted the young man. "I, at least, should +never have forced a girl into giving her consent by threatening her +with her father's recognisances."</p> + +<p class="normal">The colour faded suddenly from Berkow's face, and he stepped back +involuntarily, asking in an unsteady voice,</p> + +<p class="normal">"What--what do you mean?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur drew himself up erect, and some animation came into his eyes as +he fixed them on his father.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Baron Windeg was ruined, that every one knew. Who ruined him?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"How should I know?" asked Berkow, ironically. "His extravagance, his +love of playing the grand seigneur when he was head over ears in debt, +was cause enough. He would have been lost without my help."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Indeed? So you had no ulterior object in view when you gave him your +help? The Baron was never offered the alternative of surrendering his +daughter, or of preparing to meet the worst? He decided voluntarily +upon this marriage?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Berkow laughed, but his laughter was forced.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Of course. Who has been telling you anything to the contrary?" But, in +spite of his tone of assurance, his look fell. This man had probably +never yet lowered his eyes when reproached with an unscrupulous act, +but he could not meet his son's gaze on this occasion. A bitter +expression passed over the young man's face; if he had had any doubt +hitherto, he knew enough now.</p> + +<p class="normal">After the pause of a second, he renewed the conversation.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You know that I never had any inclination for marrying, that I only +yielded to your incessant persuasion. Eugénie Windeg was as indifferent +to me as any other woman. I did not even know her, but she was not the +first who had been willing to give up her old name in exchange for +wealth. At least, that was how I interpreted her consent, and that of +her father. You never thought fit to inform me of that which preceded +and followed my proposal. I had to hear of the barter that had been +made of us both from Eugénie's mouth. We will let that be. The thing is +done, and cannot be undone; but you can understand now that I shall +avoid exposing myself to fresh humiliations. I have no wish to stand a +second time before my wife, as I had to do the other evening, while she +poured out all her contempt for me and my father, and I--I could but +listen in silence."</p> + +<p class="normal">Berkow had been dumb so far, and had half turned away, but at these +last words he looked round at his son quickly with some astonishment.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I should not have believed that anything could irritate you so much," +said he slowly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Irritate? Me? You are mistaken, we did not reach the pitch of +irritation. My lady-wife deigned from the first to mount on the high +pedestal of her exalted virtues and of her noble descent, and I, who, +in both respects, am equally unworthy, preferred to admire her only +from a distance. I should seriously advise you to do the same, that is, +if ever you attain to the happiness of her society."</p> + +<p class="normal">He threw himself down on the sofa again with an air of contemptuous +indifference, but even in his sneer there was a touch of that +irritation his father had noticed. Berkow shook his head, but the +subject was too embarrassing, and the rôle he played towards his son in +this business too painful for him not to seize the first opportunity of +putting an end to the discussion.</p> + +<p class="normal">"We will talk it over again at a fitting time," said he, taking out his +watch hastily. "Let us have done for to-day. There are yet two good +hours before the people arrive; I am going over to the upper works. You +will not come with me?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No," said Arthur, relapsing into indolence.</p> + +<p class="normal">Berkow made no attempt to use his authority. Perhaps, after such an +interview, the refusal was not disagreeable to him. He went away, +leaving the young man alone once more, and, with the renewed stillness, +all the latter's apathy seemed to return to him.</p> + +<p class="normal">While the first bright spring day smiled on the world without, while +the woods lay bathed in sunshine, and the sweet scent of the pines rose +up from the hills, Arthur Berkow lay within in the darkened room, where +the curtains were so carefully lowered, the <i>portières</i> so closely +drawn, as though he alone were not created to enjoy the free mountain +air and the bright light of day. The air was too keen for him, the sun +too dazzling. It blinded him to look out, and he said to himself that +his nervous system was shaken beyond all description. The young heir, +who had at his disposal all that life and this world can give, thought, +as he had often thought before, that after all both the world and life +are horribly empty, and that it is assuredly not worth while to have +been born at all.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER VII.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">The state dinner, prepared with lavish expense and on a most luxurious +scale, was over at last. It had procured for Berkow one special +triumph, independently of the pleasure he must have felt at seeing how +numerous were the guests around him. The nobility of the neighbouring +town, and its leading personages in particular, had always been +exclusive to the last degree. No member of it had condescended as yet +to enter the house of a parvenu, whose equivocal antecedents still shut +him out from the highest circles of society; but the invitations +bearing the name of Eugénie Berkow, <i>née</i> Baroness Windeg, had been +universally accepted. She was, and would ever remain, a scion of one of +the most ancient and noble houses of the land.</p> + +<p class="normal">No one could or would wound her by a refusal, more especially as it had +not remained a secret how she had been forced into this union. But, +if the bride were to be met with fullest esteem and sympathy, her +father-in-law, in whose house the dinner was given, could not possibly +be treated otherwise than with politeness, and so this too came to +pass.</p> + +<p class="normal">Berkow was jubilant; he knew well that this was only the prelude to +what must happen in the capital next winter. The Baroness Windeg would +certainly not be allowed to fall out of her sphere because she had +sacrificed herself to filial love. She would now, as hitherto, be +looked on as an equal in spite of the plebeian name she bore. And +touching this name, too, the object for which he had so long striven +lay now, as he hoped, almost within his grasp.</p> + +<p class="normal">But if, on the one hand, the ambitious millionaire felt that he owed +his daughter-in-law some thanks, notwithstanding that she had on this +day more than ever assumed the airs of a princess, and had held herself +completely aloof from him and his, the behaviour of his son, on the +other hand, surprised as much as it angered him. Arthur, who had been +in the habit of associating exclusively with people of rank, seemed all +at once to have lost all taste for such company. He was so extremely +cool in his politeness towards his distinguished guests, he even +maintained so studied a reserve towards the officers of the garrison, +with whom, on previous visits, he had always been on a familiar +footing, that he more than once approached those bounds which a host +cannot overstep without giving offence. Berkow could not understand +this new whim. What could possess his son? Did he want to show his +opposition to his wife by thus obviously avoiding her guests?</p> + +<p class="normal">Those gentlemen from the town, who had ladies under their escort, +started early on their return-journey, for the long rains had made the +roads almost impracticable, and a drive of several hours in the +darkness was not a thing to be desired. This gave the mistress of the +house liberty to withdraw, and Eugénie at once availed herself of it, +leaving the reception-rooms and retiring to her own private apartments, +while her husband and his father stayed with the remaining visitors.</p> + +<p class="normal">At the appointed hour, Ulric Hartmann made his appearance. Since his +early childhood, since Frau Berkow's death, when his parents' relations +with the great house had altogether ceased, he had not been within its +walls. Indeed, the master's château, with its surrounding terraces and +gardens, was to the whole working-population a closed Eldorado, into +which even the officials only gained occasional access when called +thither by some weighty matter of business, or by a special invitation. +The young man walked through the lofty hall, lined on each side by +flowering plants, up the carpeted stairs, and through the well-lighted +corridors, until in one of the latter, he was received by the servant +who had brought him the message in the morning. The man showed him into +a room, saying:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Her ladyship will be here directly," and, with this observation, shut +the door and left him alone.</p> + +<p class="normal">Ulric looked round the large handsomely decorated ante-room, the first +of a long suite of apartments, all of which were now completely empty. +The guests were still assembled in the distant dining-room which looked +out on the garden, but the emptiness and stillness of this part of the +house made its splendour yet more impressive. The <i>portières</i> were all +drawn back, and Ulric could see through the long suite of handsome +rooms, each one of which seemed to surpass the others in beauty.</p> + +<p class="normal">The thick, dark-coloured velvet of the carpets drank in the light, so +to speak; but it shone all the brighter on the richly gilt decorations +of the walls and doors, on the silk and satin furniture, in the tall +mirrors which reached to the ceiling and cast forth the reflection of +it in a thousand brilliant rays, yes, even on the waxed floors bright +and smooth as glass; it set off to fuller advantage those pictures, +statues and priceless vases with which the salons were so profusely +ornamented. All that wealth and luxury can give was here brought +together, and the effect was one which might well dazzle an eye +accustomed to obscurity, and most at home in the dark mazes of the +mine.</p> + +<p class="normal">But the sight, though it would certainly have been confusing to any of +his comrades, appeared to make no impression on Ulric. His look glanced +darkly through the sparkling vista, but there was no admiration to be +traced in it. Each costly thing which drew his attention seemed to +rouse up within him a feeling of enmity, and he suddenly turned his +back on the glittering perspective, and gave a little vehement stamp +with his foot on finding that there were no signs of any one as yet. +Ulric Hartmann, clearly, was not the man to wait patiently in an +anteroom until such time as he could be conveniently received.</p> + +<p class="normal">At last something rustled behind him; he turned round and took a step +back involuntarily, for a few paces from him, just under the great +chandelier, stood Eugénie Berkow. Up to this time he had seen her but +once, on the day he had carried her from the carriage, and she then +wore a travelling-dress of dark silk, whilst her face was shaded by her +hat and veil. Of that meeting he had preserved only one remembrance, +that of the great dark eyes which had scanned his countenance so +closely.</p> + +<p class="normal">Now--ah yes, indeed! this was an apparition very different from any +that had hitherto come within the young miner's sphere of vision. Over +the white silk dress flowed a delicate white lace, which waved like a +cloudlet round her tall and slender figure. Into these airy folds some +roses seemed to have been wafted, and a wreath of roses encircled her +blonde head, the shining tresses of which rivalled in their soft +brilliancy the pearls about her neck and arms. The blaze of the +wax-lights fell full on this lovely picture so fitly framed by its +surroundings. As she stood there, it seemed as though nothing ought to +approach her which had anything in common with the ordinary life of +this work-a-day world.</p> + +<p class="normal">But although Eugénie's whole appearance might betoken the high-born +lady of fashion, that being the rôle which she had this evening +exclusively played--her eyes showed plainly that she could be something +else too. They lighted up now with a glad expression, as she caught +sight of the young man, and she went up to him with quiet friendliness.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am pleased that you came when I sent for you. I wanted to speak to +you to clear up a misunderstanding. Come with me."</p> + +<p class="normal">She opened one of the side doors, and entered the adjoining room, +followed by Ulric. It was her own boudoir, and separated her apartments +beyond from the suite before mentioned--but what a contrast it was to +the latter! Here only a mellowed light streamed from the lamp over the +tender blue draperies and hangings. The foot, bold enough there to +tread, sank silently into the yielding carpet, and the caressing air +was warm and balmy with the scent of flowers.</p> + +<p class="normal">Ulric stood on the threshold as if spell-bound, though he was in +general but little used to fits of shyness. Here all was so different +to the dazzling rooms he had left, so much more beautiful, so dreamily +still. The wrath with which he had looked on all that splendour had +gone out from him; in its place there stirred a something which he +could not define, a something born of the gentler influences now so +strangely surrounding him. But in the next minute a hot anger at this +weakness burned up within him, he drew back instinctively as from some +vaguely-felt danger, and his whole being rose up in inflexible +hostility to this atmosphere of beauty and fragrance with all its +seductive charm.</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie stopped, noticing with some surprise that the miner was not +following her. She took a seat near the door, and her eyes scrutinised +his face narrowly. The curly light hair entirely covered the still +fresh scar, and the wound, which might well have proved dangerous to +another man, had had but little effect on this powerful frame. Eugénie +sought for some trace of past suffering, but found none. Her first +question related, however, to his injury.</p> + +<p class="normal">"So you have quite recovered? Does the wound really give you no pain +now?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, my lady, it was not worth speaking about."</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie did not appear to remark the short ungracious tone of the +answer. She continued, speaking with the same kindness.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I heard, certainly, from the Director's mouth on the very next day +that there was nothing to be apprehended, or we should have had you +more thoroughly cared for. After his second visit to you, the Director +assured me again that there was no question of any danger, and Herr +Wilberg, whom I sent to your house on the day after the accident, +brought me the same report."</p> + +<p class="normal">At the first words of her little speech Ulric had raised his eyes and +fixed them on her face. His moody brow cleared slowly, and his voice +had a gentler sound as he answered,</p> + +<p class="normal">"I did not know, my lady, that you had troubled yourself so much about +it. Herr Wilberg did not tell me he came from you, or"----</p> + +<p class="normal">"Or you would have been rather more friendly to him," concluded +Eugénie, a little reproachfully. "He complained of the brusque way in +which you treated him that evening, yet he was so full of sympathy for +you, and offered with such cheerful alacrity to procure me the news I +wished for. What do you object to in Herr Wilberg?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Nothing--but he plays on the guitar and writes poetry."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That does not seem to be any special advantage in your eyes," said +she, half-jesting; "and I hardly think you would be guilty of it, if +you were to change places with him. But we will leave that! It was for +something else I sent for you. I hear," she played in rather an +embarrassed way with her fan, "I hear from the Director that you have +declined a mark of our gratitude, which he was commissioned to offer +you from us."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes," Ulric assented briefly, without adding one word to soften the +harsh monosyllable.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am sorry if the offer, or the way in which it was made, has offended +you. Herr Berkow,"--a faint flush overspread Eugénie's face as she +uttered the untruth--"Herr Berkow certainly intended personally to +express to you his thanks and mine. He was prevented from doing so, and +therefore begged the Director to represent him. It would grieve me much +if you were to see in that any proof of ingratitude or indifference on +our part towards our deliverer. We both know how deeply we are in your +debt, and you would hardly now refuse me too, if I were to beg you to +receive from my hands"----</p> + +<p class="normal">Ulric started up; the happy influence of her first words had been quite +destroyed by the close of her speech. His face had grown pale, when he +guessed what was her object, and he broke out recklessly,</p> + +<p class="normal">"Let that matter be, my lady. If you offer me money, you too, I shall +wish I had let the carriage go over with all that was in it!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie was a little startled by this outbreak of that savage wildness +for which Ulric Hartmann was feared by every one about the works. Such +a look and such a tone had certainly never been addressed to Baron +Windegs daughter; it was indeed the first time she had been brought in +contact with one belonging to the working classes. She rose offended.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do not wish to impose my thanks upon you. If the expression of them +displeases you so much, I regret that I should have called you hither."</p> + +<p class="normal">She turned away and was about to leave the room, but the movement +brought Ulric to his senses. He took one hasty step forwards.</p> + +<p class="normal">"My lady--I--forgive me! I would not vex <i>you</i> for the world!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie was struck by the passionate, remorseful tone. She stopped and +looked at him, seeking in his face for the key to his strange conduct; +but his vehement cry for pardon had disarmed her.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You would not vex <i>me</i>?" she repeated, "but you do not mind how much +you hurt other people's feelings by your ungracious ways? The +Director's, for instance, and Herr Wilberg's?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, I do not," returned Ulric, "no more than they would mind hurting +mine, if the case were reversed. There is no talk of friendliness +between the officials and us."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No?" asked Eugénie in surprise. "I did not know that the officials and +the hands were on such bad terms, and Herr Berkow cannot suspect it +either, or he would assuredly have tried to mediate."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Herr Berkow," said Ulric, sharply, "has cared during the last twenty +years for every possible thing on the works, except for the welfare of +the hands employed, and so it will go on, until we begin caring a +little about him, and then--oh, my lady! I was forgetting that you are +his son's wife. Forgive me!"</p> + +<p class="normal">She was silent, a little confounded by his reckless plain-speaking. +What she now heard was, in truth, only what had often before been +hinted in her presence about her father-in-law, but the terrible +bitterness of these words made her feel all the depth of the gulf which +lay between him and his subordinates. Whoever brought an accusation +against Berkow was sure beforehand of having his daughter-in-law's +sympathy. Eugénie had herself had bitter proof of his unscrupulousness, +but she was sensible that, as his son's wife, she ought not to make +this evident. If she noticed Hartmann's last speech at all, it must be +to reprove him, and she preferred to let it pass.</p> + +<p class="normal">"So you will not accept any mark of our gratitude, not even from my +hands?" she began again, waiving the dangerous subject. "Well, then, I +can do nothing but tender my thanks to the man who saved me from +certain death. Will you reject them, too? I thank you, Hartmann!"</p> + +<p class="normal">She held out her hand to him. It lay only a few seconds, white and +delicate as a flower, in the miner's strong work-hardened palm, but its +touch sent a quiver through him. All the bitterness went out of his +face, the threatening look from his eyes; the defiant head was bent +over her outstretched hand, and his features bore an expression of +gentleness and submissiveness, which none of his superiors could ever +boast of having seen on Ulric Hartmann's countenance.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, you are giving audience here, Eugénie, and to one of our people!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Berkow's voice sounded behind them, as he opened the door at this +moment, and came in, accompanied by his son. Eugénie drew back her hand +and Ulric stood up erect. As those tones met his ear, he resumed his +characteristic attitude of silent hostility, which became even more +marked, as Arthur exclaimed, with a sharpness, oddly contrasting with +his habitual languid manner,</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hartmann, how do you come here?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hartmann?" repeated Berkow, attracted by the name, and going up +nearer. "Oh, here we have our friend the agitator, who"----</p> + +<p class="normal">"Who stopped our horses when they were running away in their mad +fright, and who was injured himself in saving our lives!" put in +Eugénie, quietly, but very decidedly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah, yes!" said Berkow, disconcerted by this reminder, and by his +daughter-in-law's resolute look. "Yes, indeed, I heard of it, and the +Director was telling me that you and Arthur had already given a proof +of your sense of the obligation. The young man has come, no doubt, to +express his thanks. I hope you were satisfied, Hartmann?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The cloud rolled back on Ulric's brow blacker and more menacing than +ever, and the reply, which hovered on his lips, would probably have +brought down on him the most serious consequences. Eugénie stepped up +to her protégé and touched him lightly on the arm with her fan. The +miner understood the warning; he looked at her, saw the unconcealed +anxiety in her eyes, and his hatred and defiance gave way once more. He +answered quietly, almost coldly:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Certainly, Herr Berkow, I am satisfied with her ladyship's thanks."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am glad of it," said Berkow, shortly.</p> + +<p class="normal">Ulric turned to Eugénie.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I can go now, my lady?"</p> + +<p class="normal">She bowed her head in silent assent. She saw but too plainly what +constraint the man had to put on himself in order to remain quiet. With +one slight movement of the head directed to the master and his son, a +salutation evidently bestowed with much reluctance, he left the room.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, I must confess that your protégé has not very good manners," +remarked Berkow, with a sneer. "He takes leave in rather an off-hand +way, and does not wait to be dismissed. But there, how can such people +learn the proper way to behave! Arthur, you seem to find something +remarkably interesting in this Hartmann. I hope you have looked after +him long enough?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur's eyes had indeed followed the miner with an intent gaze, and +they were still fixed on the door he had closed behind him. The young +man's eyebrows were drawn together slightly, and his lips firmly set. +At his father's remark, he turned round.</p> + +<p class="normal">The latter went up to his daughter-in-law, with a great show of +politeness.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I regret, Eugénie, that your complete ignorance of the state of things +here should have led you to an act of excessive condescension. You, +naturally, could have no idea of the part that fellow plays among his +comrades, but he should, on no account, have been permitted to come to +this house, much less to enter your boudoir, even under the pretext of +returning thanks for a present."</p> + +<p class="normal">The lady had seated herself, but there was a look on her face which +made it seem advisable to her father-in-law to remain standing, instead +of taking a place at her side as he at first intended. She compelled +him too "to admire her only from a distance."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I see they have only told you half the story," she answered, coolly. +"May I ask when you last spoke to the Director?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"This morning, when I learned from him that he had been commissioned to +hand over to Hartmann a sum, which I, by the way, consider much too +large. It is quite a fortune to such people! But I do not wish to lay +any restrictions on you and Arthur, if you think it right to show your +gratitude in this exaggerated way."</p> + +<p class="normal">"So you do not know that the young man has refused the money +altogether?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Re--refused?" cried Berkow, starting back.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Refused?" repeated Arthur. "Why?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Probably because it offended him to be put off with a sum of money +offered through a third person, while those whom he had saved did not +think it worth their while to add even a word of thanks. I have made +good this latter negligence, but I could not persuade him to accept the +smallest thing. It does not seem as though the Director had managed the +matter so 'admirably.'"</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur bit his lip. He knew these words were meant for him, though they +were spoken to his father.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It appears, then, you sent for him yourself?" he asked.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Certainly."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I wish you had left it undone," said Berkow, somewhat irritated. "This +Hartmann is pointed out to me on all sides as the chief promoter of +that revolutionary spirit which I am about to meet with the utmost +severity. I see now that too much has not been said about him. If this +fellow dares to refuse such a sum, because it has not been paid to him +with all the ceremony his mightiness demands, he may well be capable of +anything. I must remind you, Eugénie, that there are certain +considerations my daughter-in-law must keep in mind even when she is +giving a proof of her kind feeling."</p> + +<p class="normal">The old contemptuous look played about Eugénie's lips. Remembering the +compulsion to which she had been subjected, she felt but little +disposed to yield to her father-in-law's wishes, and the bitter thought +of it rising within her made her overlook the real justice of what he +said.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am sorry, Herr Berkow," she answered, icily, "that other +considerations must have weight with me besides any your +daughter-in-law may be bound to regard. This was an exceptional case, +and you must allow me to act on my own judgment in such matters both +now and for the future."</p> + +<p class="normal">She was again every inch the Baroness Windeg, as she thus recalled the +plebeian millionaire to his place; but whether the cause of dispute had +angered him too much, or whether the wine, which had flowed so freely +at dinner, had produced some little effect on him, he did not this time +show her the same boundless respect, but answered with some heat,</p> + +<p class="normal">"Really? Well, then, I shall thank you to remember,"----but he got no +further in his speech, for Arthur, who had remained in the background +so far, taking no part in the conversation, stood up all at once at his +wife's side, and said quietly,</p> + +<p class="normal">"I must beg you, sir, to put an end to this unpleasant discussion.--I +have left Eugénie unlimited freedom of action, and I do not wish that +any one else should attempt to restrain it."</p> + +<p class="normal">Berkow looked at his son as though he had not heard aright. He was +accustomed to see Arthur display the most passive indifference on all +occasions, great and small, and was as much surprised by his son's +interference as by this open championship.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You seem to have quite gone over to the opposition to-day," he +returned in a jesting tone. "I shall do well to beat a retreat before +such combined forces, particularly as I have some business matters to +attend to still. I hope I may find you rather less disposed to quarrel +to-morrow, Eugénie; and you, Arthur, somewhat more tractable than you +have shown yourself to-day. I wish you both a good evening."</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">When Berkow left the room in suppressed wrath, he had probably no idea +of the embarrassment his sudden departure would cause to the two who +remained behind, an embarrassment they had not felt since the evening +of their arrival, for never since then had they been alone together. +They had met only in the presence of strangers, or at table when the +servants were in constant attendance, and this unexpected tête-à-tête +seemed equally unwelcome to both. Arthur, no doubt, felt that he could +not exactly follow on his father's heels; he must at least address a +few words to his wife first, but several seconds passed before he made +up his mind what to say, and when at last he was about to speak, +Eugénie forestalled him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You need not have come to my assistance," said she coldly. "I should +have been able to vindicate my independence and hold my own against +your father."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do not in the least doubt your independent spirit," answered Arthur +in the same cool tone, "but I have misgivings as to my father's +delicacy. He was about to bring up a subject, the remembrance of which +I wished to spare both you and myself. That was the sole object of my +interference."</p> + +<p class="normal">She was silent and leaned back in her seat, while her husband, standing +by the table, took up the fan that was lying there and examined its +arabesques with an appearance of much interest. A second and more +uncomfortable pause ensued, until at last he began again:</p> + +<p class="normal">"As to this business with Hartmann, I really do admire the +self-abnegation you have shown in it. You, of all people, must feel a +strong antipathy to persons of his class."</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie opened her large eyes wide, and looked at him sternly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I feel an antipathy to nothing but to weakness and vulgarity. I +respect any one who has energy thoroughly to fill his place in the +world, whether that place be a high or a lowly one."</p> + +<p class="normal">There was a hard ring in her voice. Arthur's hand, still playing with +the fan, moved rather nervously, and there was a slight quiver about +his lips. He started a little when she spoke of weakness and vulgarity, +though the expression of his face was as indifferent as ever.</p> + +<p class="normal">"A most elevated view of the matter," said he carelessly. "But I am +afraid you would modify it in some degree, if you were to be brought in +nearer contact with the rough wild sort of life which often obtains in +the lowly places."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But this young miner is something out of the common," declared Eugénie +decidedly. "He may be wild and untamed, like one of Nature's elements +which grow to be a danger when not properly directed. I did not find +him rough."</p> + +<p class="normal">She had involuntarily spoken with some warmth. The latent, half-stifled +fire in Arthur's eyes gleamed out again, as he fixed them on her.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You appear to exercise a marvellous degree of authority over this +'wild untamed element of Nature.' It was on the point of breaking out +in an unseemly manner before my father. You had but to raise your fan, +and the angry lion became as gentle as a lamb." Here the said fan was +so violently opened and closed by the young man's slender white fingers +that the costly toy was in serious danger, while he went on half +mocking. "And in what a knightly manner he bent over your hand! If we +had not come in, I believe he would have ventured to kiss it like a +real preux chevalier."</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie rose hastily. "I fear, Arthur, this man may force from you and +your father something more than a mere sneer, and I do not know whether +Herr Berkow does wisely to drive his people into an opposition, which +is constantly growing, and the consequences of which may one day recoil +on his own head."</p> + +<p class="normal">Her husband's gaze was riveted on her as she stood before him, and yet +her rustling silks and airy laces, her roses and soft pearls, were +nothing new to him, any more than the proud and beautiful head with its +dark indignant eyes. Perhaps he was struck by her earnest championship +of her protégé. He preserved the same careless, half-mocking tone in +which he had spoken hitherto, but it concealed a feeling of suppressed +irritation, and the fan he held in his hands met with decided ill-luck. +The delicately carved ivory was broken in two as he flung, rather than +threw, it on to a chair.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Our deliverer has been reading you a lecture on socialism, I am sorry +I missed it. But this Hartmann is certainly remarkable in one way. He +has accomplished that which nothing had hitherto achieved, he has +actually led us into a lively conversation. But the interest of this +theme must be pretty well exhausted by this time, do not you think so?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The entrance of a servant with a message brought the conversation to an +end. Arthur availed himself of the pretext to depart, taking leave of +his wife in the cold, ceremonious manner which marked all their +intercourse. Hardly had the servant closed the door and left her alone, +when Eugénie began to pace up and down the room in evident agitation. +She was revolted at the coldness and heartlessness shown about Ulric's +brave deed, but it was not that alone which made her steps so hasty and +drove the angry colour to her cheeks.</p> + +<p class="normal">Why could she not meet her husband with that thorough contempt she +found so easy towards his father? Was it possible he could be worthy of +better things? There was something in Arthur's boundless indolence +which parried every blow, and even gave him at times a secret +superiority over the proud, passionate woman, carried away but too +often by her warmth of temper. On that first evening when, with +terrible candour, she had disclosed to him the truth, he must have felt +himself a deeply humiliated man; to-day, when she had shown him how +falsely he had judged his deliverer and hers, the wrong was clearly on +his side; and yet on both occasions he had confronted her with a +dignity which was not crushed and annihilated by her contempt.</p> + +<p class="normal">She would not recognise this, would not confess to herself how it +wounded her that never, since the explanation between them, had he made +the slightest attempt to temper the coldness of their relations, even +by a word. She would certainly have repulsed any such attempt with all +the disdainful pride at her command, but that she should never be +called on to do so, that he should never take the trouble to go one +step beyond that which appearances absolutely required, vexed her in +spite of herself.</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie was prompt with her love as with her hate, and her feeling +towards her husband had been of a decided nature even before she gave +him her hand--but it was not possible to look down on him from a lofty +eminence, as she could look down on his father. She felt that vaguely, +though she could give no account to herself of what had compelled this +feeling within her.</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur, going through the corridors, met the Director and the +chief-engineer who had been detained to confer on some business matter +with Berkow and were now about to leave the house. The young heir +stopped all at once.</p> + +<p class="normal">"May I ask, sir, why Hartmann's refusal to take the money offered him +was immediately communicated to Lady Eugénie and to her alone? Why did +I hear nothing of it?" asked he sharply.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well," said the Director rather confused, "I really did not know you +attached any importance to it, Herr Berkow. You declined all personal +interference in the matter so decidedly, and her ladyship showed from +the first so much interest in it, that I thought myself bound"----</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, indeed!" interrupted Arthur, with the same nervous little twitch +about his lips. "Well, her ladyship's wishes should be complied with +certainly, but I must beg of you, in all such matters of business"--he +laid an emphasis on the last word--"not quite to overlook me another +time. I expressly desire that I may be the first to be acquainted with +them in future."</p> + +<p class="normal">So saying, he left the astonished officials, passing on to his own +rooms. The Director looked at his colleague.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What do you say to that?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The chief-engineer laughed. "Signs and wonders are to be seen! Herr +Arthur begins to take an interest in matters of business! Herr Arthur +desires to be acquainted with them! Such a thing has never happened +before since I have known him."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But this is not a business matter at all," said the Director +irritably. "It is a mere private transaction, and I can guess how it +has been. Hartmann has behaved to the lady in that delightfully amiable +manner of his we know so well. I thought it was rather odd that she +should send for him. Fancy him in a drawing-room, with his savage +reckless ways! He is quite capable of telling her what he told me this +morning in the office: he does not want any payment, and he did not +risk his life for the sake of money. The lady has been indignant at his +insolence and her husband also, and now there will be some nice +pleasant things for me to hear from Herr Berkow, because I allowed the +interview to take place."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, it will be the first time Herr Arthur has ever been indignant at +anything that concerns his wife," said the other indifferently, as they +went down the steps. "It seems to me that the glacier-temperature about +this married couple is extending gradually to all around them. You feel +the ice in the air directly you come near them, does it not strike +you?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"It struck me that Lady Eugénie looked admirably handsome. She was +rather cool, certainly, but still admirably handsome!"</p> + +<p class="normal">The chief-engineer made a comic little grimace expressive of horror.</p> + +<p class="normal">"For Heaven's sake, do not adopt Wilberg's style! You are getting on +into the fifties, you know. Talking of Wilberg, he is already head over +ears in romantic adoration, but I doubt whether he, or his inevitable +verses, will excite much jealousy in high quarters. Herr Arthur seems +as little inclined to worship his wife as she to be worshipped. +Marriages of convenience are made up every day, it is true, but I can't +help having a sort of feeling about this one, as if it could not take +quite the usual course, as if beneath all the ice there lay something +like a volcano, which will burst out one fine day with thunder and +lightning, and give us a bit of an earthquake and a catastrophe on a +small scale. That would certainly 'shed some poetry on the arid steppes +of our everyday life,' as Wilberg would observe, supposing always the +eruption spared him and his guitar. But here we are below, good night!"</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER IX.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">More than a month had passed since the festivities. Herr Berkow, coming +down "to surprise his children," as he said, had scarcely found the +pleasure he had hoped for in his visit, which was certainly rather +premature. He had gone back to the city after a few days to settle the +arrears of business awaiting him there, and now he was expected to +return to the château, for a second and, this time, for a longer stay.</p> + +<p class="normal">Nothing was changed in the life of the young people; it was, if +anything, more divided, colder, more "aristocratic" than at first. On +both sides the end of the honeymoon was looked forward to with +considerable longing; it had been arranged that they should stay in +their country retreat until such time as the fine summer weather should +make a longer journey desirable. They would return from their travels +in the autumn, and definitively take up their residence in the capital, +where their future abode had already been prepared for them by Berkow +with much lavish expenditure.</p> + +<p class="normal">The morning shift was just finished, and Ulric Hartmann was on his way +back to his father's house. He had been obliged to moderate his usual +swift pace, for at his side walked Herr Wilberg, also going home from +his office. This gentleman had been lucky enough to catch Ulric up, and +had attached himself to him. It was rather surprising to see one of the +officials on such familiar terms with the Deputy Hartmann, who enjoyed +but little sympathy among his superiors; still more surprising was it +that such familiarity should come from Herr Wilberg, unless indeed the +old saying that "extremes meet" be taken as an explanation.</p> + +<p class="normal">There was, however, another reason here. The chief-engineer little knew +what his jokes had brought about, but his laughing hints as to the +subject-matter for a ballad had, unfortunately, fallen on a too +receptive soil. Wilberg had made up his mind to treat the subject +poetically, but he was still in doubt as to whether the masterpiece +should be in the form of a ballad, an epic, or a drama. At present one +thing only was settled, namely, that it should unite in itself the +combined excellences of all three styles.</p> + +<p class="normal">Unhappily for Ulric, his energetic and courageous act had awakened in +the future author's mind the notion that the miner was exactly fitted +for a hero of tragedy, and Wilberg now dogged his footsteps +perpetually, in order to study this most interesting character. When +Ulric further took it into his head to refuse the considerable sum +offered him with a disdainful pride which abashed even the Director, +the romantic halo about him grew so strong in the poet's eyes that +nothing could shake or diminish his admiration, not even the +inconsiderate rudeness of the object of it, nor the cutting remarks of +those in authority, who hardly approved of such an intimacy.</p> + +<p class="normal">Ulric could not be said to meet him half-way, or in any manner to +facilitate his "studies;" he tried often impatiently to shake off the +company thus forced upon him, as one tries to free one's self from a +troublesome fly, but it availed him little. Herr Wilberg was determined +to see in him a hero, a rough, wild, undisciplined sort of hero, it is +true, but still a hero; and the more this view of him was justified by +his behaviour, so much the better pleased was the would-be author, who +only studied him the more closely for each such fresh development of +character.</p> + +<p class="normal">At last the young miner shrugged his shoulders, and resigned himself to +the inevitable. Custom did its work, and there grew up at length +between the two a sort of familiarity, not over respectful on Ulric's +part.</p> + +<p class="normal">The wind was still blowing rather cold from the north. Herr Wilberg +prudently buttoned up his coat, and tied the ends of his thick woollen +scarf carefully together, as he said with a sigh,</p> + +<p class="normal">"What a lucky fellow you are, Hartmann, with your health and strength +of iron! You can go up and down the shafts from heat to cold, and come +out afterwards into this biting wind, whilst I have to protect myself +from every variation of temperature. And I get so nervous, so shaken, +so irritable! That is the way when the spirit gains too great dominion +over the body. Yes, Hartmann, it is the press of thought and feeling +that does it!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I think, Herr Wilberg, it is more likely your everlasting tea-drinking +that is the cause of it," replied Ulric, with a rather compassionate +glance at his weakly little companion. "If you go on swallowing that +hot, thin stuff morning and evening, you will never get strong."</p> + +<p class="normal">Wilberg glanced up aloft at his adviser with a look of infinite +superiority.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You do not understand, Hartmann. I could not possibly bear such a +heavy diet as yours. My constitution would not stand it, besides, tea +is of great service to the mental faculties. It quickens me, it +stimulates me when the day's work is done, and when in the quiet +eventide the Muses draw near"----</p> + +<p class="normal">"You mean, when you are making your verses," interrupted Ulric, drily. +"So that is what the tea is for? Well, they are just what I should +expect from it."</p> + +<p class="normal">It was fortunate that the poet was just then busy trying to fix in his +memory a rhyme which had come into his mind. He hardly heard the +insulting remark, but turned to his companion next minute in quite a +friendly way.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have something to beg of you, Hartmann, to desire, to demand!" said +he, reaching his climax in well-graduated tones. "Something which you +must agree to, no matter at what cost. You are in possession of an +article which is perfectly worthless to you, but which would make me +the happiest mortal under the sun. You must give it up to me."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What must I give up to you?" carelessly asked Ulric, who, as usual, +when Wilberg was talking, had only half listened.</p> + +<p class="normal">Herr Wilberg blushed, sighed, looked down, sighed a second time, and, +after these preliminaries, thought fit to proceed to speech.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You remember the day when you came to her ladyship's rescue! Ah, +Hartmann, what a pity it is you should have no adequate conception of +the poetry involved in such a situation! If I had been in your place! +But we will leave that. She offered you her handkerchief when she saw +you were bleeding. You kept it in your hand, while the others were +looking to your wound. Good Heavens! you cannot possibly have forgotten +such a circumstance as that!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, what do you want with the handkerchief?" asked Ulric, suddenly +attentive.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I wish to possess it," murmured Wilberg, casting down his eyes with a +melancholy air. "Ask from me what you will, but let me have that +precious souvenir of the woman I adore!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"You!" cried Ulric, in a tone which made the other spring back and look +anxiously round to see that no one was by.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Don't shout like that, Hartmann! You need not be so horrified because +I say I adore the future proprietor's wife. It is something far +different from what you are accustomed to consider as love. It is--but +you do not know what a platonic affection means.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, I don't," returned the miner, shortly, increasing his pace, and +evidently desirous of breaking off the conversation.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You cannot possibly understand it," declared Wilberg, with much +self-satisfaction, "for you cannot, and never will, rise to that pure +elevation of feeling of which only highly-cultivated minds are capable, +that feeling which, without a hope, without a desire, can content +itself with adoring in silence from afar. Or what do you think a man +should do else, if he loves a woman who belongs to another?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Overcome his love," said Ulric, in a low voice, "or"----</p> + +<p class="normal">"Or?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Strike the other man down."</p> + +<p class="normal">Herr Wilberg beat a hasty retreat to the other side of the road, where +he remained standing transfixed with horror.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What brutality! What appalling principles! So you would seal your love +by assault and murder? You are a man to be feared, Hartmann! And you +can say such a thing as that with the tone, the look of .... Her +ladyship was right when she said you were like one of Nature's untamed +elements which"----</p> + +<p class="normal">"Who said so?" broke in Ulric, looking at him darkly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Her ladyship. 'A wild untamed element,' she said, and the description +was most striking, most apt, Hartmann"-- The young man ventured a +little nearer his companion, but timidly still, and approaching him by +degrees. "Hartmann, I could forgive you everything, even what you said +just now, but the one thing I cannot forgive is your conduct to <i>her</i>. +Have you alone no eyes for her beauty and grace, which disarm the very +roughest of your comrades, that you should avoid the sight of her, as +if it would bring you ill-luck? If her carriage appears in the +distance, you turn round and get out of the way; if she rides by, you +step into the house nearest at hand, and I warrant, you make that long +round every day past the Director's house, for no other reason than +that you might meet her once at the park-gates and be obliged to take +off your cap to her. Oh, this stubborn, bitter class-hatred, which +spares not even women! I repeat it to you, Hartmann, you are a man +greatly to be feared."</p> + +<p class="normal">Ulric was silent. Contrary to his wont, he submitted to these +reproaches without answering a syllable, and by so doing, he +strengthened Wilberg in the delusion that his arguments had at last +produced some effect. Encouraged by this, he began again,</p> + +<p class="normal">"But to return to the real matter in hand. The pocket-handkerchief"----</p> + +<p class="normal">"How should I know where the thing is?" interrupted Ulric, roughly. "It +is lost, or Martha may have given it back. How should I know!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Wilberg was just going to launch out into indignation at the +indifference with which an object, in his eyes of such priceless worth, +was treated, when he suddenly perceived Martha standing before her +uncle's house. He shot down on her like a hawk, and began to question +her as to where the said handkerchief might be hidden, whether she had +really given it back, or whether, within the range of possibility, it +might yet be found.</p> + +<p class="normal">The girl seemed not quite to understand him at first; when she found +out what it was all about her face darkened perceptibly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The handkerchief is there still," she said, decidedly. "I thought to +do well one day when I took it out and washed the stains from it, but +Ulric raved like a madman, because I had even touched the thing. He has +got it in his chest."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh! so it was only a pretext for refusing me?" said Wilberg, with a +reproachful look at Ulric, who had listened with suppressed anger, and +who answered almost with a sneer:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Make up your mind to it, Herr Wilberg, the handkerchief is not for +you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And why not, may I ask?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Because I mean to keep it," said Ulric, laconically.</p> + +<p class="normal">"But, Hartmann"----</p> + +<p class="normal">"When I once say no, I mean it. You might know that, Herr Wilberg."</p> + +<p class="normal">Wilberg lifted his hands and eyes towards Heaven, as though calling on +it to witness the offence done him; but suddenly his arms fell down +inert, and he drew himself up quickly, as a voice said behind Martha,</p> + +<p class="normal">"Can you not inform me, my dear .... Ah, Herr Wilberg! I am +interrupting a most animated conversation."</p> + +<p class="normal">The person addressed stood speechless, overcome at least as much by +despair as by delight at this unexpected meeting; for the distressing +consciousness was on him, that he, who hitherto had only confronted her +ladyship in the faultless attire of full-dress, must now stand before +her, arrayed in a blue paletot and green comforter, to say nothing of a +nose tipped by the cutting wind with a most unbecoming red. He knew how +unfavourable this combination of colour must be to him; not an hour ago +he had vowed to himself that he would exchange the green comforter for +one of a more flattering hue, and now a mischievous chance had brought +him before the eyes of his ideal!</p> + +<p class="normal">Herr Wilberg wished himself deep down in the shafts, and yet retained +sufficient power of thought to be irritated at Hartmann, who, with all +the dust of his daily work upon him, stood like a statue, and moved +never a muscle.</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie had come along the road which led by the Manager's house, and +seeing at first only the young girl, had entered the garden unnoticed. +Her last question remained a moment unanswered, for both men were +silent.</p> + +<p class="normal">At last Martha spoke. She had cast a rapid glance at her cousin, when +the lady appeared on the scene so unexpectedly; now she turned quickly +to her.</p> + +<p class="normal">"We were just speaking of the lace handkerchief your ladyship gave for +a bandage, and which has never been returned."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah, yes, my handkerchief," said Eugénie, indifferently. "I had quite +forgotten it, but since you have kept it so carefully, child, you can +give it me back."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I did not keep it; Ulric has it." Martha gave him another look, dark +and scrutinising as the first, and even Eugénie turned with some +surprise to the young man who had greeted her neither by word nor +gesture.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, you then, Hartmann! Or do you not wish to restore it?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Wilberg was growing more and more exasperated at Ulric's "shameful +behaviour," for he stood there motionless with knitted brows and lips +firmly closed, and just the same look of stubborn resistance on his +face as that with which he had armed himself on entering her boudoir. +One could see plainly that he was struggling with himself to keep down +the hatred he felt for his master's young wife! This time his better +nature conquered.</p> + +<p class="normal">Herr Wilberg noticed that, at the first sound of that voice addressing +itself to him, he started, as though pricked with shame at his own +conduct, that a flush rose to his brow, and that his attitude lost +something of its defiant hostility. The sermon so lately delivered had +certainly had some effect, else how should this stiff-necked Hartmann, +whose will was of iron, and who was to be moved neither by fear nor +favour, have yielded in silent obedience to a simple question, have +turned to the house, and, after the lapse of a few minutes, come back +holding the handkerchief?</p> + +<p class="normal">"Here it is, my lady."</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie took the morsel of cambric, seeming to attach very little +importance to it.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And now, Herr Wilberg, as I have met you here, perhaps you can best +give me the information I want. It is the first time I have come by +this road, and I find that the bridge which leads to the park is closed +by a gate. Can it be opened, or must I go back all round by the works +again?"</p> + +<p class="normal">She pointed to a bridge at a little distance from them. It crossed a +wide ditch, which bordered the park on this side, and it was closed by +means of an iron gate.</p> + +<p class="normal">Herr Wilberg was in despair. The gate was securely fastened; it was +done to keep the work-people, whose dwellings lay for the most part +about here, out of the park, but the gardener had the key; Wilberg +would hasten, would fly to fetch it, if only her ladyship could bear to +wait until ....</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh no," broke in Eugénie, rather impatiently. "You would have twice to +make the round which I want to avoid. I would rather go back."</p> + +<p class="normal">Wilberg would not hear of it. He begged and entreated the lady to grant +him the happiness of this one small service. His pretty little speech +was brought to an abrupt conclusion by the sound of a loud crack.</p> + +<p class="normal">Ulric had gone up to the gate and seized it with both hands. He shook +the iron rails with such force that the bolts and locks creaked again. +Finding that it did not give way promptly, his features contracted +angrily, he gave one violent thrust at it with his foot, and so made an +end of all resistance. The fastenings, which were not in the best +condition, yielded; the gate flew open.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Good Heavens! Hartmann, what are you about?" cried Wilberg, terrified. +"You are spoiling the lock. What will Herr Berkow say?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Ulric gave him no answer. He pushed the gate quite back and turned +quickly round.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The way is open, my lady."</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie did not look half so shocked as the young clerk. She even +laughed, as she proceeded towards the path so vigorously cleared for +her.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Thank you, Hartmann. Do not make yourself uneasy as to the spoilt +lock, Herr Wilberg; I will take the responsibility on myself. But, as +the gate is open now, will you not take the shorter cut through the +park?"</p> + +<p class="normal">What a proposal! Herr Wilberg did not hasten, he rushed, he flew to the +lady's side, racking his brain even in this hurried moment to find an +interesting and striking theme on which to discourse; but he was +obliged to begin with a very prosaic one, for Eugénie, turning her head +once more, looked curiously after the enigmatic being who had puzzled +her so much once before, as though she would again try to read the +riddle of his character with her grave meditative eyes. +"That Hartmann has the strength and the fury of an old Berserker. He +crashes down locks and bolts without more ado, just to"----</p> + +<p class="normal">"Just to make my way easy," continued Eugénie, with a touch of irony, +as she looked at her companion. "You would not have been guilty of such +a forcible act of politeness?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Wilberg protested against even the supposition of such a thing. Her +ladyship could not believe for a moment that he would have laid violent +hands on other people's property, and that too in her presence; no, +most assuredly he would not.... But she listened to his protestations +with marked abstraction, and in spite of all the pains he took to +interest her, he could not succeed in fully gaining her attention once +during their walk through the park.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER X.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">Hartmann pulled to the gate again and returned slowly to the house. He +stood at the entrance watching the two figures until they disappeared +down one of the park avenues.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I thought, when you said no, you meant it, Ulric?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The young man turned round and scowled at Martha standing by his side.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What is it to you?" said he, roughly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"To me? nothing. Don't frown like that, Ulric. You are angry with me +because I reminded my lady of the handkerchief; but it belonged to her, +and what could you do with that soft, white little thing? You could not +even touch it when you came home from work, and I am sure you have +looked at it often enough!"</p> + +<p class="normal">There was a slight but unmistakable touch of irony in the girl's voice, +and Ulric must have noticed it, for he exclaimed hastily:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Let me be! I will have none of your sneers and your spying. I tell +you, Martha"----</p> + +<p class="normal">"Now, now, what is to do out there? Are you two quarrelling?" +interrupted the Manager, as he joined them at the door.</p> + +<p class="normal">Ulric turned away with a muttered exclamation of anger, but he did not +seem inclined to continue the discussion. Martha, without answering her +uncle, hurried past him into the house.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What is the matter with the girl?" asked the old man, looking after +her wonderingly, "and what were you two about? Have you been giving her +hard words again?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Ulric threw himself sullenly down on the bench.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am not going to be taught what I should do or leave undone, least of +all by Martha."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, well," said his father quietly, "she is very sure not to do +anything to vex <i>you</i>."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why should not she vex me as well as any one else?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The Manager looked at his son and shrugged his shoulders.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why, boy, have you no eyes in your head, or will you not see it? It is +true, you never did care about the girls, and, after all, it is no +wonder if you understand nothing about them."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What is there for me to understand?" asked Ulric, growing attentive.</p> + +<p class="normal">His father took his pipe out of his mouth and blew a cloud of smoke +slowly into the air.</p> + +<p class="normal">"That Martha cares for you," he answered laconically.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Martha? For me?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do believe he did not know it," said the Manager, in unfeigned +astonishment. "His old father has to tell him such a thing as that! But +that is the way when people fill their heads with all sorts of +nonsense, which only confuses them! Goodness knows, Ulric, it is time +you gave up all the other folly and took a good managing wife who would +bring you to a better way of thinking."</p> + +<p class="normal">Ulric was still gazing over at the park, and his eyes were fixed and +gloomy as before.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are right, father," said he slowly. "It is time."</p> + +<p class="normal">The old man nearly let his pipe fall in his surprise.</p> + +<p class="normal">"My lad," he said, "that is the first reasonable word I have heard from +you. Have you come to your senses at last? Yes, it is time indeed. You +could have kept a wife long ago, and where could you find a prettier, a +better, or a cleverer than Martha? I need not tell you how happy it +would make me for you two to come together. Think it over, Ulric."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young man sprang up and began pacing rapidly to and fro.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Perhaps it would be best. There must be an end of this, there must! I +felt that to-day again ... and the sooner the better!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"What has come to you? There must be an end of what?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Nothing, father, nothing. But you are right; when once I have a wife, +I shall know I belong to her, and my thoughts too. So you think Martha +cares for me?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Go in and ask her!" cried the Manager laughing. "Do you think that I +should have the girl in the house still if she cared for any one else! +She does not want for suitors. I know plenty who would be glad of her, +and there is Lawrence who has been trying to win her for ever so long, +he has never got her to say 'yes' yet. She will say it to-day for you, +if you choose; trust me for that."</p> + +<p class="normal">Ulric listened with eager attention; but in spite of his father's +flattering assurance, there was not much joy or satisfaction to be seen +in his face. He looked as though he were trying forcibly to keep down +some rebellious feeling which would not let him make up his mind, and +there was something wild and almost convulsive in his manner, as, a +sudden determination burning up within him, he turned at last to the +old man and said:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, if you think I shall not be refused, I ... I will go and speak +to Martha."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Now, at once?" asked the Manager in surprise. "But, Ulric, a man +cannot go courting all in a minute like that, when a quarter of an hour +before he had no notion of such a thing. Think over the matter first."</p> + +<p class="normal">Ulric moved impatiently. "What is the good of waiting? I must know +where I am. Let me go in, father."</p> + +<p class="normal">The old man shook his head, but he was far too much afraid that +his son would repent him of his hasty resolve to offer any very +serious opposition. In the joy of his heart he cared little if the +long-wished-for union were brought about in a somewhat unusual manner. +He determined to stay quietly outside, so that the young people within +could settle the business at their ease, for he knew Ulric well enough +to be aware that any inopportune interference on his part would spoil +everything.</p> + +<p class="normal">In the meantime the young man had crossed the passage rapidly, as if he +neither could nor would grant himself one moment for reflection. He +opened the door of the room they commonly used, and saw Martha sitting +at the table. Her hands, usually so busy, lay idle in her lap. She did +not look up as he entered, and seemed not to notice that he came and +stood quite close to her chair. He could see quite plainly that she had +been crying.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you bear me ill-will, Martha, because I was out of temper just now? +I am sorry for it. Why do you look at me so?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Because it is the first time you ever were sorry for it. You never +cared before how I took your ill-temper. Let it be so still."</p> + +<p class="normal">Her tone was cold and meant as a repulse, but Ulric did not allow +himself to be intimidated by it. His father's revelations must really +have had some powerful effect on his stubborn nature, for his voice was +unusually gentle as he replied.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I know I am a great deal worse than the others, but I can't help it. +You must take me as I am; perhaps you will be able to make something +better of me."</p> + +<p class="normal">At his first word the girl had looked up surprised, and she must have +seen something strange in his face, for she moved hastily as if to +rise. Ulric held her fast.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Stay here, Martha, I want to talk to you. I want to ask you ... Well, +I am not one for many words, and between us they are not needed. We are +first cousins, we have lived together for years in the same house. You +know best whether you can care for me at all, and you must know too +that I have always been fond of you in spite of all our quarrels. Will +you be my wife, Martha?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The wooing was abrupt, brusque and stormy, as became the suitor's +nature.</p> + +<p class="normal">He drew a long breath, as if with these decisive words a weight had +fallen from him. Martha still sat motionless before him. Her blooming +colour had faded, had changed to a deep pallor, but she neither +trembled nor hesitated as she uttered a low half-stifled "No."</p> + +<p class="normal">Ulric thought he had not heard aright. "You will not?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, Ulric, I will not!" repeated the girl resolutely, though almost +under her breath.</p> + +<p class="normal">The young man drew himself up offended.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well then, I might have spared my words. My father has been mistaken +and so have I. No offence, Martha."</p> + +<p class="normal">Wounded in his pride by the curt refusal he had met with, he was about +to leave the room at once, but a look at Martha arrested him. She had +risen and was grasping the chair with both hands, as though needing its +support. No word of reply or of explanation came from her lips, but +they trembled so and there was such an expression of unspoken pain in +her white face that Ulric began to feel his father might be right after +all.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I thought you cared for me, Martha," he said, with some slight +reproach in his tone.</p> + +<p class="normal">She turned hastily from him and hid her face in her hands, but he +caught a sound like that of a sob repressed with difficulty.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I might have known I was too savage, too rough for you. You are +afraid, you think I might grow worse after the marriage. You will have +a better husband in Lawrence. He will let you have your own way in +everything."</p> + +<p class="normal">The girl shook her head and slowly turned her face to him again.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am not afraid of you, though you are often a bit rough and wild. I +know you can't help it, and I would have taken you as you were, ay, +gladly, perhaps! But I will not take you as you are now, Ulric, as you +have been ever since .... ever since the young mistress came home."</p> + +<p class="normal">Ulric started, and a flaming blush spread over his face. He wished to +break out in wrath, to bid her be silent, but he could not bring his +lips to frame a syllable.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Uncle thinks you care for no one because your head is taken up with +other things," continued Martha, more and more excitedly. "Yes, indeed, +quite other things! You have never given me a thought, and now you come +all at once and want me to be your wife. You want some one to help +drive away your thoughts, Ulric, don't you? and the first one who comes +is good enough for that. Even I am good enough for that! But things are +not so bad with me yet that I should be put to such a use. If I cared +for you more than for the whole world beside, if it were to cost me my +life to part from you, I would rather have Lawrence, I would rather +have any one now than you!"</p> + +<p class="normal">This passionate outbreak, contrasting with the girl's usually quiet +demeanour, might have shown Ulric what deep root he had taken in her +heart. Perhaps he did feel it, but the cloud still rested on his brow +and the flush on his face grew deeper with every word. He gave her no +answer, but, as she now broke out into loud weeping, stood at her side +quite dumb, making no attempt to comfort or to calm her.</p> + +<p class="normal">Some minutes passed in torturing silence. Martha lay with her head and +arms resting on the table. Nothing was to be heard but the sound of her +convulsive sobs and the monotonous ticking of the old clock against the +wall.</p> + +<p class="normal">At length Ulric stooped down to her. His voice was not so hard as it +had been, but it was scarcely gentle; there was in it only a dull, low +sound of pain.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Never mind, Martha. I thought it might be better if you would help me. +Perhaps it would only have been worse, and you are quite right not to +risk it with me. Let things be as they have always been between us +two."</p> + +<p class="normal">He went without further leave-taking. On the threshold he stopped an +instant and looked back, but the girl did not raise her head, and he +went quickly out.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well?" said the Manager, eagerly, as he came forward to meet his son. +"Well?" he repeated more anxiously, for Ulric's face was not happy as +that of an affianced lover.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It was of no good, father," said Ulric in a low voice. "Martha will +not have me."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Will not have <i>you</i>?" cried the old man, as though the most astounding +news in the world were being announced to him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, and don't tease her with a lot of questions and talk about it. She +knows well enough why she has refused me, and I know too, so there is +no use in a third person meddling with it. Now let me go, father, I +must get away."</p> + +<p class="normal">He hurried past, evidently wishing to escape all further discussion. +The Manager grasped his pipe with both hands; he was almost inclined to +dash it to the ground, by way of giving vent to his vexation.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Who can understand these women and their fancies? I could have staked +my head upon it that the girl was fond of him, and now she sends him +away with a No! and he ... I should not have thought he would have +taken it so much to heart. He looked quite scared, and he is tearing +along the road as if he were mad. But he will never explain it to me as +long as he lives, I know him well enough to be sure of that, and Martha +won't either."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Manager went on pacing up and down the little garden, until +gradually his wrath sobered down to a more resigned state of feeling. +What could be done in the matter after all? They could not be tied +together by force if they did not wish to be so tied, and it was of no +use racking one's brains to discover why they did not wish it. With a +heavy sigh the old man bade farewell to his favourite scheme, now +hopelessly shipwrecked. These things cannot be forced!</p> + +<p class="normal">He was still standing at the garden-gate, busy with his troubled +thoughts, when he saw the younger Herr Berkow coming down the road +which led past his cottage to the back of the park. Arthur seemed +better acquainted than his wife with the mode of ingress. He drew a key +from his pocket, destined, no doubt, to fit the lock which had so +recently been broken open.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Manager bowed deeply and respectfully to the young heir as he went +by. With his usual scant sympathy, Arthur, hardly glancing aside at +him, gave a lofty negligent little nod by way of recognition, and was +passing on. A quiver of pain came into the old man's face, as he stood +there still holding his cap in his hand and looking after the other +with a mournful gaze which seemed to say, "So that's what you have +grown into!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Either Arthur saw the look or it occurred to him all at once that the +old friend and playfellow of his childish years was there before him; +he stopped suddenly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, it is you, Hartmann! How do you do?"</p> + +<p class="normal">He stretched out his hand in his lazy, indifferent way, and seemed +rather surprised that it was not immediately grasped, but for years +such a favour had not been granted, and the Manager hesitated before +accepting it; when he did so at last, it was shily and with precaution, +as though fearing to hurt the delicate white hand by the touch of his +rough hard palm.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Thank you, I am pretty well so far, Herr Arthur----I beg pardon, Herr +Berkow, I mean."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Keep to the Arthur," said the young man, quietly. "You are more used +to it, and I would rather hear it from you than the other name. So you +are all right, Hartmann?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well yes, thank God, Herr Arthur. I have as much as I want. There is a +bit of trouble and care in every house, and I am a little worried just +now about my children, but it can't be helped."</p> + +<p class="normal">"About your children? I thought you had only one son."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Quite right, my Ulric. But I have a niece in my house, too, Martha +Ewers."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And she gives you trouble?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"God forbid!" said the Manager, warmly. "The girl is as good as can be, +but I did think the two might have made a pair, she and Ulric"----</p> + +<p class="normal">"And Ulric will not?" interrupted Arthur, with a strangely rapid glance +from the usually weary-looking eyes.</p> + +<p class="normal">The old man shook his head.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I don't know. Perhaps he did not really wish it, or perhaps he set +about it badly; any way, it is over between them. And that was just my +last hope, that he would get a good wife who would put some sensible +notions into his head."</p> + +<p class="normal">It was odd that the miner's simple uninteresting family affairs did not +appear to "bore" the young man. He had not once yawned, as he was in +the habit of doing, when not obliged to place some restraint on +himself. His face even expressed a degree of interest as he asked:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Are the notions he carries in his head at present the reverse of +sensible then?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The Manager looked up rather consciously at the speaker, and then down +at the ground.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, Herr Arthur, I need hardly tell you that. You must have heard +enough about Ulric!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, I remember. My father spoke to me about it. Your son is not in +the good books of the gentlemen up there, Hartmann; very far from it."</p> + +<p class="normal">The old man heaved a sigh.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, and I can't mend the matter. He will not listen to me, he never +has listened to me. He always would think for himself and have his own +way in everything. I let the boy learn a great deal more than the +others, more, perhaps, than was good for him. I thought he would get on +faster for it, and he is Deputy already, and will very likely be made +Overman some day, but all the trouble has come from the learning +though. He bothers himself about all sorts of stuff, and thinks he +knows better about everything; he sits up all night over his books, and +is just all in all with his mates. How he manages to take the lead +everywhere, I don't know; but even when he was quite a little lad, he +had them all under his thumb, and now it is worse than ever. What he +says, they believe blindfold; where he stands, they will all stand +together with him; and if he were to lead them into hell itself, they +would go, always supposing he marched first. But this is not at all as +it should be, particularly here on our works."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why here, particularly?" asked Arthur, drawing figures with the key on +the wooden gate, and apparently immersed in thought.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Because the people here are too badly off," burst forth the Manager. +"Don't be angry, Herr Arthur, if I tell you so to your face. It is just +the truth. I can't complain myself, I have always had more than my +deserts, because your late mother was very fond of my wife--but the +others! They toil and trouble day after day, and yet they can scarcely +get bare necessaries for their wives and children. God knows they earn +their bread hardly, but we must all of us work, and most of them would +do it willingly enough, if they could only get their rights, as on the +other works. But here they are pressed and harried for every farthing +of their miserable wages, and the mines below are in such a state, that +each man says his prayers before going down, because he keeps thinking +that the whole concern will fall down some day and crush him. But there +is never any money for repairs, and when a poor fellow gets into +difficulties and distress, no money can ever be found to help him with +either, and all the time they have to look on while thousands upon +thousands are sent up to the city, in order that"----</p> + +<p class="normal">The old man stopped suddenly, and clapped his hand over his indiscreet +mouth in mortal fear. He had gone on speaking in such a zealous haste, +that he had completely forgotten who it was that stood before him. The +hot flush which rose to the young man's face at his last words, brought +him back to a consciousness of what he was saying.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well?" asked Arthur, as he paused. "Go on. Hartmann, you see I am +listening."</p> + +<p class="normal">"God bless me!" stammered the old man, in sad confusion. "I did not +mean that, I had quite forgotten"----</p> + +<p class="normal">"Who spent the thousands? You need not make any apologies, Hartmann, +but speak out like a man what you were going to say to me. Or perhaps +you think I shall carry tales to my father?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No," said the Manager, heartily. "That you certainly won't do. You are +not like your father, such an imprudent word as that to him would have +lost me my place. Well, I was only going to say that all this makes bad +blood with the hands. Herr Arthur"--he stepped up nearer, with a look +of half-timid, half-trusting appeal, "if you would but take some +interest in these things! You are Herr Berkow's son, and you will +inherit all one of these days. No one has so much concern in it as +you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I?" said Arthur, with a bitterness which happily escaped his +unpractised hearer. "I understand nothing of your customs or of what is +necessary here on the works. It is, and always has been, all quite +strange to me."</p> + +<p class="normal">The old man shook his head sorrowfully.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Lord Almighty! what is there so much to understand? You need not study +all about machinery and the shafts for that. You only need to look at +the people and listen to them, as you are listening to me now. But +nobody will do that. If a man complains, he is sent away, and then they +say it is for insubordination; when a poor miner is dismissed on that +score he finds it hard to get another place. Herr Arthur, I tell you, +it is a crying shame, and that is what Ulric can't endure to see; it +eats his heart out, and, though I am always talking and preaching +against his notions, in point of fact he is right. Things can't go on +in this way, only the means he would use to bring about a change are +godless and sinful. They would bring him into trouble, and the others +with him. Herr Arthur,"--the salt tears stood in the Manager's eyes as, +without any hesitation now, he seized the young man's hand, still +resting on the gate,--"for God's sake, I implore you, don't let matters +go on like this. It can be good for no one, not even for Herr Berkow. +There are troubles and disputes now on all the works around, but when +once they break out with us, the Lord have mercy on us, for there will +be awful work!"</p> + +<p class="normal">During the whole of this speech Arthur had stood silent, gazing +straight before him. Now he turned his eyes to the speaker and looked +fixedly and gravely at him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I will talk to my father about it," he said slowly; "you may rely upon +that, Hartmann."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Manager let fall the hand he had grasped, and stepped back. Having +poured out his whole heart, he had expected some better result than +this poor promise.</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur drew himself up and prepared to go.</p> + +<p class="normal">"One thing more, Hartmann. Your son saved my life not long ago, and he +has felt hurt, probably, at receiving no word of thanks. I do not +attach a great value to life in itself, and it may be, therefore, that +I did not estimate aright the service rendered. But I should have made +good my negligence, if"----the young heir frowned and his voice took a +sharper inflexion, "if your Ulric had not been the man he is. I have no +desire to find myself and my acknowledgments repulsed, as happened to +my messenger a short time back; but in spite of this, I would not be +thought ungrateful. Tell him I thank him, and as to the rest, I will +confer with my father on the subject. Good-bye."</p> + +<p class="normal">He took the road leading to the park. The Manager looked after him +despondingly, and sighed heavily as he murmured: "God grant it may do +some good--but I hardly think it."</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XI.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">Up at the great house the carriage had been drawn out, and the coachman +was busy putting to the horses.</p> + +<p class="normal">"This is something quite new," said he to the footman who had brought +him the order to make ready. "The master and mistress are going to +drive out together. A red cross should be set against the day in the +calendar."</p> + +<p class="normal">The man laughed. "Yes, they won't find much pleasure in it; but you see +they can't help themselves. The return visits have to be made in the +town to all the great folk who were here at the dinner, and it would +not do exactly for them to drive in separately, or, no doubt, that is +what they would have done."</p> + +<p class="normal">"A queer couple," said the coachman shaking his head. "And they call +that being married! The Lord preserve a man from such wedded bliss as +that!"</p> + +<p class="normal">A quarter of an hour later the carriage containing Arthur Berkow and +his wife was rolling along the road which led to the town.</p> + +<p class="normal">The weather had been tolerable enough during the morning, but had now +changed for the worse. The sky was lowering and overcast; the wind, +which had risen almost to a hurricane, drove the grey clouds before it, +and every now and then a heavy shower fell from them on to the already +over-saturated earth. It was, in truth, a rough and stormy spring, of a +sort thoroughly to disgust those accustomed to a town-life with a +sojourn in the country.</p> + +<p class="normal">Although the month of May had come, the bare leafless trees in the park +showed hardly any symptoms of sprouting forth. The piercing wind and +cold rains had destroyed all the flowers, to the distraction of the +head-gardener who had been at so much pains to train them to perfection +in the beds and on the terraces, and every bud was mercilessly nipped +and blighted so soon as it showed itself. The impracticable roads and +drenched forests made all excursions, possible only in a close +carriage, as unpleasant as they were objectless.</p> + +<p class="normal">Day after day nothing but storms and heavy rain; a grey cloudy sky, +mountains veiled in mist, through which, ever and anon, a pale ray of +sunshine would struggle faintly; and with all this a joyless, desolate +home, where the mists gradually sank deeper and deeper, so that there, +at least, no sunshine could penetrate, where every blossom, possibly +ready to unfold, was frozen by the icy breath of bitterness and hatred.</p> + +<p class="normal">In this home two people endured, as a kind of martyrdom from which each +strove to escape as much as possible, that undisturbed seclusion which +is looked on by most newly-married couples as the height of bliss. +Surely this was enough to account for the bride's pale face and for +that expression of pain about her mouth which no amount of self-control +could obliterate; to account also for the melancholy look with which +she gazed out at the landscape.</p> + +<p class="normal">She had given her strength credit for more than it could bear. The +sacrifice had been promptly made in the flush of courage and of filial +love, but the days and hours succeeding the sacrifice, the passive +endurance of her chosen lot, called now, for the first time, all her +moral courage, all her power of will, into action, and however much +Eugénie might possess of both, it was yet plainly to be seen that this +after-time was very bitter to her.</p> + +<p class="normal">Her husband, leaning back in the opposite corner as far off as +possible, so that the folds of her dress hardly touched his cloak, did +not seem to carry the burden of his happiness much more lightly. His +face had, it is true, always been as pale, his eyes as expressive of +fatigue, his bearing as languid as now, but there were lines in his +countenance which had not been there before--dark, bitter lines, +stamped on it by the events of the last few weeks, and which no amount +of the coolest indifference would ever again efface.</p> + +<p class="normal">He too looked out silently through the window, and made no more attempt +than Eugénie to renew the conversation. They had met for the first time +that day when about to set out on this journey, and some formal little +speeches had been exchanged about the weather, the drive and the object +for which it was being made; then they had relapsed into an icy silence +which was to last, apparently, until they reached the town.</p> + +<p class="normal">The expedition, conducted in this fashion, was not very agreeable; +though in the comfortable close carriage nothing was felt of the +inclement weather without, yet even the softest cushions could not +prevent their feeling some inconvenience from the bad state of the +roads, and the heavy barouche could only advance slowly, though drawn +by fine and powerful horses.</p> + +<p class="normal">They had accomplished nearly half the distance when a sudden jerk, more +violent then any preceding, nearly threw the carriage over on its side. +The coachman swore and stopped the horses. He and the footman both +dismounted from the box, and then a lively discussion went on between +them out in the road.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What is the matter?" asked Eugénie, leaning forward uneasily.</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur, for his part, did not seem much to care what was the matter. He +would no doubt have quietly waited until some announcement on the +subject had been made to him, but he felt himself called on now to let +down the window and to repeat his wife's question.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Don't be alarmed, sir," said the coachman, stepping up to the door +with the reins in his hand. "We have had a very lucky escape, we +were within a hair of upsetting. Something must have snapped in the +hind-wheel. Frank has gone to see what it is."</p> + +<p class="normal">The report, which Frank brought back after due examination, was not +precisely of a consoling nature. The wheel was so much injured that it +was clearly impossible to move the carriage on even a hundred paces in +that state. Both the men looked at their master helplessly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am afraid, under these circumstances, we must give up the intended +visits," said Arthur coolly, turning to his wife. "By the time Frank +has gone back to the house and brought us back another carriage it will +be too late to drive as far as the town."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am afraid so too. There is nothing to be done then but to get out +and turn back."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Get out?" said Arthur in amazement "Do you think of going back on +foot?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you think of sitting in this carriage until Frank has returned with +another?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur appeared to have entertained the idea; he would probably have +preferred to wait two hours, stretched in his comfortable corner where +he was sheltered from wind and weather, than to undertake a pedestrian +tour through the cold wet woods. Eugénie noticed this, and her lips +curled disdainfully.</p> + +<p class="normal">"As for me, I prefer going back on foot to waiting in that wearisome +useless manner. Frank will go with me, he must return any way. You will +no doubt remain in the carriage. I would not take upon myself the +responsibility of giving you cold for the world."</p> + +<p class="normal">That which the misadventure had not had power to do, was effected by +the overt irony of these words. Arthur was roused out of his corner. He +got up, pushed open the door, and next minute was standing on the step, +offering his hand to help her alight. Eugénie hesitated.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I beg of you, Arthur" ...</p> + +<p class="normal">"I beg of you not to make a scene before the servants and to show them +that you prefer the footman's escort to mine. Allow me."</p> + +<p class="normal">She gave an imperceptible little shrug; there was no choice for her, +however, but to accept the proffered hand; the coachman and Frank were, +in truth, standing close by. She got out, and Arthur turned to the two +men.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I will see your mistress home. You must contrive to get the empty +carriage to some farm where it can stay for the present, and follow us +as quickly as possible with the horses."</p> + +<p class="normal">The men took off their hats and prepared to carry out the instructions +they had received. Under the circumstances it was really the only thing +to be done. With a slight gesture Eugénie declined her husband's +offered arm.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I think we can hardly walk here as on a promenade," said she, evading +it. "We must each look to ourselves and make our own way as best we +can."</p> + +<p class="normal">She attempted this indeed, but only to sink at the very first step into +the soft slippery mud; taking refuge on the other side of the road, she +found herself suddenly in water an inch deep which splashed under her +feet. She stood still in it helpless. The road had not looked so bad to +her from the carriage.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Here, at any rate, we shall never get on," said Arthur, who had tried +a like experiment with the like result. "We must go back through the +woods."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Without knowing our way? we should lose ourselves."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hardly that. I remember when I was a child there used to be a path +which led right through the wood, over the heights and down into the +valley. We must try and find it."</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie still lingered, but the evidently impracticable state of the +main road, half flooded and full of ruts, left her no alternative. She +followed her husband who had already turned off to the left, and a few +minutes later they were in the midst of the dusky green and thickly +planted pine trees.</p> + +<p class="normal">Now at least it was possible to advance over the roots and moss-covered +ground, nay, it would even have been easy to feet trained to such +exercise. To a lady and gentleman accustomed to the smooth floor of a +drawing-room, having carriages and riding horses at their disposal for +every excursion, and whose pedestrian feats were limited to a turn +round the park when the weather proved unusually fine, this path +offered difficulties enough--and then the foggy tempestuous weather to +boot! It had left off raining certainly, but everything about them was +dripping wet, and the clouds threatened a fresh shower at any moment. +Several miles from home, in the midst of the woods, straying like a +pair of adventurers trusting to chance, without conveyance or servants, +without the smallest protection from wind or rain, Herr Arthur Berkow +and his high-born wife were in a situation so extraordinary as to seem +almost desperate.</p> + +<p class="normal">But the lady had already accepted the inevitable with characteristic +resolution. The first ten steps had shown her how impossible it would +be to save her light silk dress and white bernous, so she abandoned +them to the mercy of the wet moss and dripping trees, and walked +bravely on. Her attire was ill-suited to such wanderings on foot, and +utterly incapable of affording her any protection from the inclemency +of the weather. She wrapped herself more closely in the thin cashmere, +and shivered in spite of herself as the cold wind met her.</p> + +<p class="normal">Her husband noticed this and stopped. Although they had started in a +close carriage, he had, in his effeminate way, thrown a cloak round him +which covered him completely. He took it off in silence, and would have +put it round his wife's shoulders, but she moved aside with prompt +decision.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Thank you, I do not want it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But you are chilly."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not at all. I am not so sensitive to the weather as you are."</p> + +<p class="normal">Without saying another word Arthur took the cloak back, but instead of +folding it about him again, he threw it negligently on one arm and +walked on at her side, clad only in his light dress suit. Eugénie +struggled against a feeling of rising anger. She hardly knew herself +why this conduct vexed her so much, but she would far rather have seen +him wrap himself carefully in the despised cloak and so take care of +his precious health, than witness this reckless exposure of himself to +wind and weather. It was for her, and her alone, to show a quiet, +well-considered acquiescence in the decrees of Fate.</p> + +<p class="normal">It was incomprehensible to her that her husband should for once lay +claim to the same right, that he, who had been alarmed at the very idea +of this journey home on foot, should appear now hardly to feel its +inconveniences, while she was already more than half repenting of her +resolve. A gust of wind tore his hat off and blew it down a steep bank +where it could not possibly be reached. Arthur looked calmly after the +fugitive and tossed his long brown hair back with an almost defiant +movement. His feet sank deep into the wet moss at every step, and yet +his gait had never seemed to Eugénie so firm, so elastic, as now. As +they advanced into the forest, his languid air gradually vanished, +his eyes brightened as they glanced sharply round in quest of the +wished-for path. The dark damp woods seemed to have a re-animating +power over him, in such deep draughts did he drink in the bracing +pine-scented air, so briskly did he lead his wife along under the +whispering trees. All at once he stopped and cried triumphantly,</p> + +<p class="normal">"There, that is the way!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Before them there was indeed a narrow footpath which ran straight +through the forest, and, at some distance farther on, seemed to decline +gently. Eugénie looked at it in surprise. She had not believed that her +husband would prove a sure guide, and had quite made up her mind to +losing their way completely.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You seem very familiar with the country," said she, as she entered the +path at his side.</p> + +<p class="normal">He smiled, but the smile was less for her than for the place he found +himself in; he looked round, scanning it on all sides with interest.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have not forgotten my old friends the woods yet, though it is long, +very long, since we have seen each other."</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie raised her head in astonishment. She had never heard such a +tone in his voice; there was deep strongly-repressed feeling in it.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Are you so fond of the woods?" she asked, involuntarily keeping up a +conversation which would probably else have lapsed into the usual +silence. "Why have you passed a whole month then without once setting +foot in them?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur did not answer. He was gazing dreamily down at the green depths +shrouded in mist.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why?" said he at last, sadly. "I don't know. Perhaps because I was too +lazy. One loses everything in that city of yours, even one's taste for +solitude in the woods."</p> + +<p class="normal">"In that city of mine? I thought you were brought up there as well as +I."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Certainly, but with this difference, that my life ended when my +so-called bringing up began. All that was really worth living for I +left behind me when I entered those walls, for the joyous sunny years +of my early boyhood were the only ones worth having."</p> + +<p class="normal">He spoke in a tone half bitter, half resentful. But in Eugénie's mind +the old angry feeling blazed up hotly again. How dared he speak as if +he had ever had anything to give up? What did he know of sacrifice, of +renunciation? For her, indeed, childhood and happiness might truly be +said to have come to an end together. As her father's confidant, early +initiated into all the family affairs, she had made acquaintance on her +first entrance into life with that graduated scale of care, +humiliation, and despair, with that bitter school of sorrow, which had +steeled her character, but had also robbed her of all the joys of +youth. How different had been her husband's position, how different all +his past life! And yet he spoke as if he had known unhappiness!</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur seemed to read these thoughts in her face, as he turned to hold +back a drooping branch which would have brushed against her.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You think I, of all people, have no right to complain? It may be so. +At any rate I have always been told that my existence is a most +enviable one. But I assure you a life like mine is sometimes +desperately void and wretched. When fortune heaps all her gifts before +a man, he just treads them under foot, because he does not know what +use to make of them. The life is so empty and miserable that one would +gladly escape in the end from this gilded felicity they vaunt so +loudly, and rush out of it anywhere--anywhere, even into the midst of +storm and tempest!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie's dark eyes were fixed in speechless astonishment on his face. +He flushed suddenly, remembering perhaps that he had been guilty of an +unpardonable mistake; he had betrayed some feeling in his wife's +presence. The young man frowned and cast a reproachful angry glance at +the forest which had thus led him astray. Next minute he resumed his +old indifferent manner.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Just now we have more storm and tempest than we care about," said he +negligently, going on in front so as completely to turn his back on +her. "It is blowing a gale up there on the hills. We shall have to wait +until the worst is over; we cannot go down at present."</p> + +<p class="normal">And truly the storm met them with such force, as they issued from the +wood, that they had some trouble to keep their footing. It was plainly +out of the question to go on now, for at this spot the road grew steep +and led straight down into the valley; they would have been in danger +of being caught up by the wind and hurled bodily into the depths below. +There was therefore nothing for it but to wait here under the shelter +of the trees until the hurricane should subside.</p> + +<p class="normal">They stood under a mighty pine-tree which reared itself high aloft on +the very verge of the forest. The storm roared and rustled in its great +green arms, as it stretched them protectingly over its younger and +weaker fellows, and swayed them groaning up and down every now and then +in spite of their strength, but the giant, whitish-grey trunk, offered +shelter and support to Eugénie, who stood leaning against it. Two +persons might have found room there in case of need, but they would +have been placed in the closest proximity to each other, and it was +this consideration, no doubt, which induced Arthur to remain standing +some paces off. He was but very imperfectly sheltered, and the +raindrops, accumulated on the branches from the last shower, poured +down plentifully upon him as the wind moved them to and fro; his hair +was blown about and the drops chased each other over his uncovered +brow, still he made no attempt to change his place.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Would you ... would you not rather come here?" asked Eugénie, +hesitating and squeezing herself to one side, so as to make room for +him on the only dry spot.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Thank you. I do not wish to inconvenience you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Put the cloak on then, at least." This time it sounded almost like an +entreaty. "You will be quite wet through."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Certainly not. I am not so sensitive to the weather as you imagine."</p> + +<p class="normal">She bit her lips. It is not pleasant to be fought with one's own +weapons, but far more than this it angered her to see him expose +himself thus to wind and weather, just for the sole purpose of teaching +her a lesson. True, this sort of defiance seemed to her supremely +absurd; she did not really suffer by his persistency, and she did not +very much care if he caught cold or fell ill through it or not. Still +it irritated her that he should stand there calmly and keep his place +in spite of the storm, with an effort, perhaps, but still keep it, +while, but half an hour before, he had been lying, sleepy and +shivering, in the cushions of the comfortable carriage and appearing +painfully affected by every breath of air which found its way through +the windows. Were storm and tempest really needed that he might prove +to her he was not quite the weakling she had hitherto considered him to +be?</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur hardly looked just now as if he had the intention of proving +anything to her. He stood with folded arms, gazing at the chain of +wooded hills, a commanding view of which was to be had from this +eminence. As his eyes turned slowly from one summit to another, Eugénie +suddenly made the startling discovery that they were very handsome. It +was a great surprise to her; up to this time she had only known that +the half-closed lids veiled two sleepy, tired-looking orbs which she +had not troubled herself to examine more narrowly. When, by any chance, +he raised them, he did it slowly, in a lazy fashion, as if it cost him +an effort which he felt would be ill repaid, and yet this look of his +was well worthy of notice. To judge by the expression of his face, one +would have expected the usually drooping lashes to cover eyes of a cold +pale blue, but instead of this they proved to be brown, clear and deep, +though lacking animation, and it seemed as if they might yet light up +with energy and passion, as if in their depths a whole world lay perdu, +long forgotten and sunk out of sight, yet awaiting only the magic word +which should break the spell and call it up afresh to life and action.</p> + +<p class="normal">Once more there flashed into the young wife's mind the thought which +had crossed it when, at their entrance into the woods, he had turned +from her so suddenly, the suspicion of all the havoc made, of the great +wrong done, by the education his father had given him, a wrong too +great to be justified or ever to be redressed.</p> + +<p class="normal">They stood together alone up there upon the hill. The forest lay before +them with its veil of mist, closely wreathed in the grey shadows which +clung to the sombre firs, waved from their crests in long gauzy +stripes, floated ghost-like over the earth. And over the hills yonder +the same misty veil hovered and fluttered, now torn asunder, now +rushing together in one compact mass, clothing alike the hill-tops and +steaming valleys. One continual surging and swelling, ebbing and +flowing; mountains and woods seeming, at one time, to open forth their +innermost depths, then again to close, withdrawing themselves from +every mortal eye.</p> + +<p class="normal">All around the storm howled and raged, tearing through the great +secular pines as through a cornfield. The mighty trunks groaned as they +swayed up and down, and bent their lofty crests murmuring before the +wind, whilst overhead chased in disordered flight the great, seething +formless masses of grey cloud. Such a storm as can only burst forth in +the heart of the mountains--yet in all its uproar, it brought a message +of spring. She came riding on its rustling wings, not sunnily smiling +as on the plains below, but in rough wild humour. It was her breath +which swelled the hurricane, her cry which resounded through all the +clamour.</p> + +<p class="normal">In these great disturbances of Nature may be traced a promise of the +glowing sunshine and scent of flowers, so soon to be spread through the +earth, a prevision of all those creative forces at work, struggling to +bring their thousand germs forth to the light of day. And they heard +her cry and answered her, those murmuring forests, those precipitous +brooks and vaporous valleys. In all this commotion and fury and foam, +there was yet Nature's shout of gladness as she threw off the last +chains of winter, her hail of rejoicing as she greeted the coming +deliverer. The spring is at hand!</p> + +<p class="normal">There is something mysterious in such an hour. The legends of those +mountain parts allot to it a peculiar romantic charm. They tell how the +spirit of the hills travels through his kingdom at such times, and uses +his power for a blessing or a curse to the lives of all tarrying within +his dominions. "To meet then is to cleave together, to part then is to +part for all eternity." For those two standing on the height together, +there was indeed no question of such meeting. They were bound by the +closest tie which can unite two human beings, and yet they were as far +apart, as strange one to the other, as though worlds lay between them.</p> + +<p class="normal">The silence had lasted some time. Eugénie broke it first.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Arthur."</p> + +<p class="normal">He started as from a dream and turned to her.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is so cold up here--Will you not .... lend me your cloak now?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Again the bright flush rose to the young man's face, as he looked at +her in speechless astonishment. He knew she was so proud, she would +rather have been frozen by the icy wind than condescend to beg for the +once despised covering; yet she did so now in the hesitating tone, and +with the downcast eyes, of one confessing a fault.</p> + +<p class="normal">In a minute he was at her side, and holding out the cloak to her. She +allowed him to put it round her shoulders in silence, but when he was +about to return to his former post, he met a glance of dumb yet earnest +reproach. Arthur still hesitated for one second, but had she not almost +asked for forgiveness? He, too, allowed himself to be disarmed, and +remained standing by her.</p> + +<p class="normal">A great rampart of fog had risen out of the valley and closed in round +them, fastening them to the spot. Mountains and woods disappeared in +the grey vapour. Only the mighty pines towered high above it, and +looked gravely down on the two human beings who had come to them for +protection and a refuge. Overhead the dark branches rustled and +whispered noisily as with a thousand mysterious voices, and ever and +anon struck in the fuller-toned chords of the forest. It became +painfully oppressive up here in the midst of this fog, beneath all this +eerie fluttering and stir.</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie started up all at once, as if she must extricate herself from +some danger, from some toils which held her enchained.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The fog gets thicker and thicker," said she anxiously; "and the +weather more dreadful than ever. Do you think there would be any danger +for us on the road?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur looked at the swelling masses of vapour, and stroked the drops +from his damp hair.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am not well enough acquainted with our mountains to know how far +their storms may be dangerous. If it were the case, would you be +afraid?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am not fearful, but one always hesitates when it is a question of +life."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Always? I should have thought our life, the life we have led for the +last month, was not of a nature to make any one afraid of risking it. +You especially have cause to feel this."</p> + +<p class="normal">She looked down.</p> + +<p class="normal">"So far as I know, I have annoyed you by no complaints."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, no. Nothing like a complaint has escaped your lips. If you could +only force some colour into your cheeks as easily! You would do it, I +know, if you could, but there even your power of will fails. Do you +think it can afford me any great pleasure to see that my wife is +drooping away at my side, and that just because a hard fate has driven +her there?"</p> + +<p class="normal">This time the hot glow mounted to Eugénie's face; it was not called up +by the reproach contained in his words, but by the strange expression +he had used towards her for the first time.</p> + +<p class="normal">"My wife" he had said. Yes, she had certainly been married to him, but +it had never yet occurred to her that he could have the right to call +her "his wife."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why do you touch upon this subject again?" asked she, turning away. "I +hoped after that one necessary explanation it would be done with for +ever."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Because you seem to be in error and to fancy that I shall hold you all +your life long in chains which, truly, are as oppressive to me as they +ever were to you."</p> + +<p class="normal">His tone was cold in the extreme, but Eugénie looked quickly up at him. +She could read nothing in his countenance, however. Why were those eyes +instantly veiled whenever she attempted to search their meaning? Was it +that they would not submit to be questioned, or that they feared to +betray themselves?</p> + +<p class="normal">"You allude to--to a separation?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you imagine I could look upon the union between us as lasting after +the expression of--of esteem, which I was forced to hear from your +mouth on that first evening?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie was silent.</p> + +<p class="normal">Over their heads the pine-branches rustled and waved hither and thither +once more. The voice of the forest, exhorting, remonstrating, was +wafted down to this wedded pair about to utter the word which should +separate them, but neither he nor she would understand the meaning.</p> + +<p class="normal">"We are neither of us free enough to lay all considerations on one +side," continued Arthur, in the same tone. "Your father and mine are +both too well known, each in his own sphere, our marriage attracted too +much attention for us to be able to dissolve it immediately, without +affording inexhaustible matter for gossip to the whole town, and making +ourselves ridiculous as the hero and heroine of a hundred stories. +People do not separate after four-and-twenty hours, or even after a +week, without some appreciable cause; for appearances' sake they bear +with one another for a year or so, in order to declare, with some show +of likelihood, that there is incompatibility of temper. I had hoped we +could have borne to live so long together, but it seems that our +strength is not equal to the task. If we go on in this way, we shall +both of us succumb."</p> + +<p class="normal">The arm which Eugénie had wound round the trunk of the great tree +trembled slightly, but her voice was steady as she answered.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do not succumb so easily when I have once taken a task upon me; and, +as for you, I really did not think you were in the least affected by +our painful position."</p> + +<p class="normal">In his brown eyes there flashed once more that rapid lightning-like +gleam which vanished as quickly, leaving no trace behind it. His look +was quiet and expressionless as before, when he replied after a short +pause.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You really think so? Well, it does not signify whether I am affected +by it or not. I should not have touched upon the subject, if I had not +seen the necessity of reassuring you by a promise that our marriage +should be dissolved as soon as circumstances permit. Perhaps now I +shall not see you look so white as you have done for the last few days, +and perhaps you will believe now what you have, so far, looked upon as +a lie, namely, that I had no knowledge of the machinations by which +your hand was obtained for me, but imagined that it was given +voluntarily and of your own free will.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I believe you, Arthur," said she in a low voice. "I do believe you +now."</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur received this first mark of his wife's confidence with a smile +of exceeding bitterness. It came to him at the very moment he was +giving her up.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The fog begins to clear," said he, changing the subject, "and the +storm seems to abate too for a few minutes. We must take advantage of +it to get down. In the valley below we shall be protected, and shall +soon reach the farm, where, I hope, they will be able to lend us a +carriage. Will you follow me?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The way was steep and slippery, but Arthur seemed wishful to-day of +giving his whole nature the lie. He walked down the hill with a firm +sure tread, while Eugénie, with her thin boots and long dress, impeded +still further by the cloak, could hardly advance. He saw that he must +come to her assistance, but on such a road he could not simply offer +her his arm. He must, of necessity put it well round her if his help +were to be of any avail, and that ... that would hardly do!</p> + +<p class="normal">The husband hesitated to render his wife a service which he would have +done to any stranger; and that which a stranger, under the +circumstances, would have at once accepted, the wife felt averse to +receiving from her husband.</p> + +<p class="normal">After some moments of indecision he did finally place his arm round her +waist. She quivered a little at his touch, but neither of them spoke +while making the descent, which lasted about ten minutes. At every step +they took downwards Eugénie's face grew whiter. It appeared to be +intolerable to her that his arm should thus support her, that she +should be forced to lean on his shoulder, so near him that she could +feel his breath on her face. Yet he did what he could to spare her. He +never glanced at her once. All his attention seemed directed to the +road, which, certainly, was of a nature to make care and prudence +needful to prevent their both sliding down it unawares. But, quiet as +he seemed, there was that same treacherous little twitch about the +young man's lips, and, when at last they reached the valley below, he +released his wife from his arms with a long, deep-drawn breath, which +showed he had been anything but calm during their strange little +journey.</p> + +<p class="normal">Already the farm-buildings were visible glinting through the trees, and +they hastened down the path which led to them, as though feeling that +on no account must they remain longer alone together. Overhead the +storm raged afresh, and high up on the hill the fog thickened again +round the stout old pine which had spread its branches protectingly +over these two, and given them shelter in the hour of which the old +legends say:</p> + +<p class="normal">"To meet then is to cleave together, to part then is to part for all +eternity."</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XII.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">Herr Berkow had arrived in the afternoon of the day on which Arthur and +his wife had made their excursion through the forest, and had received +them on their return home. This time he did not appear to be in such +excellent spirits as on the occasion of his previous visit, when he had +revelled in the first triumph procured for him in his own house by his +grand new connection.</p> + +<p class="normal">He was, it is true, now as ever, full of politeness to his +daughter-in-law and of indulgence towards his son, but his manner, even +on the evening of his arrival, showed that he was ruffled, uneasy, +abstracted, and this was still more evident next morning when Arthur +went to his room and asked for an interview.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Another time, Arthur," said he, evading it, "another time. Do not +tease me about trifles now that my head is full of most important +affairs. The city business and money matters have caused me an immense +amount of worry. Everything is at a standstill, or bringing loss +instead of gain, but you understand nothing about it, and very likely +don't care. I will soon bring things into shape again myself, but pray +spare me all talk about your private concerns just now."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is not a private concern of my own this time, sir, the subject has +its importance for you too. I am sorry to take up your time now that +you are overwhelmed with business, but I cannot help it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well--after dinner then," returned Berkow impatiently. "You can very +well wait till then. I have not a moment now; all the officials are +waiting for me over in the committee-room, and I have sent word to the +chief-engineer that I will go down the shaft with him as soon as the +meeting is over."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Go down with him?" asked the young man, growing attentive. "Do you +mean to inspect the mines personally?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, I am going to see after the alterations in the lifting-apparatus +which have been begun in my absence. What should I do down in the +mines?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I thought you were going to ascertain personally whether things are in +as bad a state down below as they pretend."</p> + +<p class="normal">Berkow turned round suddenly as he was going out, and looked at his son +in surprise. "What do you know about the state of things in the mines? +Who has put such notions into your head? I suppose the Director, +finding I turned a deaf ear to his last demands for cash, has since +applied to my son. Well, he has got to the right man there!"</p> + +<p class="normal">He laughed out loud, not noticing the displeasure in Arthur's face; the +latter replied with some sharpness:</p> + +<p class="normal">"But it must be looked into, to find out how far these improvements are +necessary, and as you are going down with the engineers, you might take +advantage of the opportunity to make a more thorough examination of the +shafts and galleries."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That I certainly shall not," returned Berkow curtly. "Do you think I +want to risk my life? Things are dangerous in their present condition, +there is no doubt about it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And yet you send down hundreds of men every day?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The tone of this question was very peculiar, so peculiar that his +father frowned with annoyance.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you mean to lecture me, Arthur? I fancy a sermon from you would +sound rather odd. You seem to have taken refuge in philanthropy from +the monotony of your stay in the country. I would let that alone if I +were you. It is an expensive pursuit, particularly in our +circumstances. Besides, I shall take good care no accidents happen; I +should incur a loss by it which would be exceedingly ill-timed just +now. The necessary repairs shall be made and things kept in order; but +as for extensive improvements, I have in the first place no money for +them, and in the second, I cannot allow the works to be stopped even +for a day. To have enabled me to do that, your requirements should have +been rather more moderate than they were for some time before your +marriage. But I really don't understand why you a troubling yourself +all at once about things which you generally ignore altogether. You had +better busy yourself with the arrangements for your salon and for the +soirées you will be giving in the city this winter, and leave to me the +care and responsibility of matters which you understand nothing about."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Nothing," assented the young man with rising bitterness. "You have +taken care of that."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do believe you mean to reproach me!" exclaimed Berkow. "Have you not +enjoyed every pleasure in life? Have I ever recoiled before a sacrifice +which could procure you enjoyment? Shall I not leave you a wealthy man, +I who began life without a penny in my pocket? Have I not, by this +marriage of yours with the Baroness Windeg, got you introduced in the +ranks of the nobility to which you will one day belong? I should like +to see the father who has done so much for his son as I have!"</p> + +<p class="normal">During the whole of this speech, Arthur had stood silent, looking out +of the window.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are quite right, sir, but I see you have neither time nor patience +to listen now to what I had intended saying to you. I will wait until +after dinner."</p> + +<p class="normal">So saying he went out. Berkow looked after him and shook his head. This +son of his was growing incomprehensible to him; but he had, indeed, no +time to spare. He locked his desk hastily, took up his hat, and went +over to the committee-room with a look on his face which presaged but +little sunshine for those who there awaited him.</p> + +<p class="normal">Meanwhile the miners had assembled about the shaft, ready to begin the +second shift of the day. They were waiting for the overman, who had not +appeared as yet. In and about the shed at the shaft's mouth were +grouped together men of every age and skilled in every branch of +industry which active mining operations call into play. The various +Deputies of the various divisions were there also, but the most +prominent figure of all was Ulric Hartmann, who stood in the midst of +them, with one foot on the steps, his arms crossed, silent at present, +and yet distinguishable as the leading man.</p> + +<p class="normal">No real discussion could have been held then, both time and place were +unfitted for it, but even at these short casual meetings the talk +turned on the one subject which now occupied all the men on the works.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You may depend upon it, Ulric, they will not follow us on the other +works," said the young miner Lawrence, who was standing next to +Hartmann. "They think it is too soon; they are not ready; in short, +they have no mind to begin, and would rather wait and see how things +turn out."</p> + +<p class="normal">Ulric tossed his head defiantly. "What do I care? We will go forward +alone then, we have no time to spare."</p> + +<p class="normal">A movement of surprise was to be seen amongst the miners. "Alone?" +asked some. "Without our mates?" added others, and the majority +repeated anxiously "Now? Already?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Now, I say," declared Ulric imperiously, as he threw a challenging +look around him. "If any man among you is of a different way of +thinking let him say so."</p> + +<p class="normal">A not inconsiderable number of those present seemed to be of a +different way of thinking, but no one ventured on a decided opposition; +only Lawrence said gravely:</p> + +<p class="normal">"But you thought yourself it would be better if all the works in the +neighbourhood struck at the same time?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Can I help it if they dally and shilly-shally until our patience is +worn out?" asked the young Deputy vehemently. "If they will go on +waiting, we can't, and that they know right well. But they want to send +us on first under fire, that they may see how the thing goes with us. +Right good fellowship that! Well, we will manage without them."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And you really think that he"--Lawrence glanced in the direction of +the château--"that he will give in?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"He must," said Ulric decidedly, "he must or else ruin himself. Several +of his speculations have just failed, he has had to meet his son's +debts, and the new house in town will be a matter of some thousands. If +there is a stoppage on the works for a couple of months or so just now +when the great contracts have been entered into, it is all up with +their fine doings. Two years ago he might have weathered it, but not +now. We shall get all we want if we threaten to strike."</p> + +<p class="normal">"God grant we may!" said an elderly man with a pale sunken face and +anxious look. "It would be terrible if we took all that care and +trouble upon us for nothing, if we and our wives and children were to +go on starving for weeks together, and, after all, find things just as +they were. Had not we better wait until our mates ...?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, if we were to wait for the others?" was heard from several +voices.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Talk, talk, and nothing but talk!" broke out Ulric fiercely. "I tell +you now is the time, and we must set about it. Will you go with me, or +will you not? Answer."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Don't flare out like that," said Lawrence pacificating. "You know well +enough we shall all go with you, if it comes to that. Let them do as +they will on the other works, we are united among ourselves; not a man +of us will desert you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I would not recommend any one to remain behind, if once things become +serious," said Ulric, glowering darkly at the corner whence the +opposition had proceeded. "We can't have any cowardice. Every man must +be answerable for his fellow, and woe to him who is found wanting."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young leader seemed to have adopted the right way of stifling any +possible germs of resistance; his comrades were awed by his despotic +treatment of them. The few dissentient voices, those exclusively of +middle-aged men, were silenced, and the rest of the miners, especially +the younger ones, flocked round Hartmann with loud demonstrations of +approval. He continued more quietly:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Besides, this is not the time to discuss it all, this evening we +will"----</p> + +<p class="normal">"The overman!" broke in several voices, while the looks of all turned +to the door.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Fall apart!" commanded Ulric; obedient to the order, the men dispersed +at once, each miner taking up his safety-lamp which he had previously +placed on one side.</p> + +<p class="normal">The overman, coming in upon them suddenly and rather unexpectedly, +probably saw the group separate quickly at his approach, and perhaps +heard the word of command, for he looked keenly round the circle.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You seem to have your men in capital discipline, Hartmann," said he +coldly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Pretty fair, sir," returned the other in the same tone.</p> + +<p class="normal">The overman must have known as well as the other officials what was +going on among the hands, but he preferred to see and hear nothing. He +went on in a matter-of-fact way:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Herr Berkow is going with the engineers to inspect the pumps and the +lifting apparatus. You are to wait with Lawrence in the shaft, +Hartmann, until the gentlemen come up. Deputy Wilm can lead your men +with his own, and you can follow later on."</p> + +<p class="normal">Ulric received his instructions in silence and remained behind with +Lawrence, while the others, conducted by the overman, began the +descent. When the last of his comrades had disappeared, the young miner +turned in his wrath.</p> + +<p class="normal">"They are all cowards together," he muttered angrily. "One can't get +them to move for their fears and their indecision. They know as well as +I do that we must make use of the present time, and yet they won't go +forwards, because the others are not at their back. A very good thing +that it is Berkow we have got to deal with and no other. If he were the +right sort of man, and knew when to show his teeth and when to give +them good words, they would never go through with the business."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you think he will not know?" asked Lawrence, rather distrustfully.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, he is a coward like all tyrants. He will talk loudly and harass us +so long as he has the upper hand, but when his skin or his money-bag is +in danger, he will sing small. He has made himself so thoroughly +hateful, and he persists so in driving them on to the last extremity, +that soon not a man among them will hold back, and then it will be all +right. We shall have him in our hands then."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And the young master? Do you think he won't interfere when the +troubles break out?"</p> + +<p class="normal">An expression of unconcealed contempt played about Ulric's mouth, as he +answered disdainfully,</p> + +<p class="normal">"<i>He</i> counts for nothing. He will run away back to the city at the +first alarm and put himself in safety. If we had only him to deal with, +we should settle the business very quickly. He would say yes to +everything, if you threatened not to let him have his sleep out. The +father will give us rather more trouble."</p> + +<p class="normal">"He is going to inspect the pumps," said Lawrence, reflectively. +"Perhaps he will go into the mine as well?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Ulric laughed out bitterly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What are you dreaming of? Men like us must risk their lives daily. +That is what we are fit for, but our lord and master will remain where +it is safe in the shaft. I wish I had him alone once with me, face to +face. He should learn what it is to tremble, as we so often have to do +down below."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young man's look and tone were full of such savage hatred that his +more moderate companion thought it better to be silent, and so, for the +time being at least, let the conversation drop.</p> + +<p class="normal">A long pause ensued. Hartmann went up to the window and looked out +impatiently. All at once he felt the touch of a hand on his shoulder, +and, turning, saw Lawrence standing at his side.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I want to ask you something, Ulric," began the latter with some +hesitation. "I think you will tell me if I ask it of you. How do +matters stand between you and Martha?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Some seconds passed before Ulric answered.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Between me and Martha? What do you want to know for?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The other looked down.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You see, I have been courting the girl so long. She would never take +me, because ... because there was some one else. Well, I can't blame +her"--with a wistful glance of admiration at his friend--"and if it is +really a fact that you are standing in my light, well, I must manage to +drive the whole thing out of my head; so tell me, are you of one mind?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, Karl," said Ulric, in a low voice. "We are not of one mind, and we +are not likely to be. We know that now both of us. I shall not stand in +your way any longer with the girl, and I think, if you will try your +luck once more, she will take you."</p> + +<p class="normal">A gleam of joy passed over Lawrence's face, and he drew himself up +erect with a deep-drawn breath of relief.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you really mean that? Well, if you say so, it must be true, and I +will try once more this very evening."</p> + +<p class="normal">Ulric frowned.</p> + +<p class="normal">"This evening? Don't you remember that we have a meeting to-night, and +that you have to attend it, instead of going courting! But you are no +better than the others! Now when we are going into the fight your head +is full of your love-making; now when a man should be thankful to be +without wife and child you are thinking of nothing but of getting +married. There is no bearing with you all!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, I may ask Martha any way," said Lawrence somewhat hurt. "And if +she really does say yes, it will be some time yet before the wedding. +You don't know how a man feels when there is some one he cares for that +he can't have, how sick at heart he gets when he sees another man with +her day after day, only needing to stretch out his hand to take that +which he would give his life for, and yet not caring to take it. +You"----</p> + +<p class="normal">"Have done, Karl." Ulric interrupted him with lips working with +agitation, and letting his clenched fist fall so heavily on the +wood-work that it groaned again. "Go to Martha, marry her, do what you +like, but don't talk to me any more of such things. I can't, I won't +bear it."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young miner looked at his friend in amazement. He could not +comprehend so violent a repulse. There was no doubt that Ulric gave the +girl up freely .... but he had no time to ponder over it, for at this +moment Berkow's sharp voice was heard outside, saying in very +ungracious tones to the officials who accompanied him:</p> + +<p class="normal">"And now I must beg of you, gentlemen, to have done. The old +ventilators have lasted all this time without an accident, and they +will last longer. We need no expensive novelties which it pleases you +to consider necessary, because they would not be paid for out of your +pockets. Do you think I want a model philanthropic establishment here? +I want the returns to be increased, and the funds required for that +purpose will be granted. All the other items will be erased. If the +miners have to run risks, I can't help that. They earn their bread by +it. I can't throw away thousands to insure a few hewers and trammers +against an accident which might have happened any day, but never has +happened yet. The repairs in the shafts and mines will be limited to +what is strictly necessary to keep things in good working order, and so +there is an end of it."</p> + +<p class="normal">He pushed open the door of the shed and seemed unpleasantly surprised +at seeing the two men, whom he had certainly not expected to find +there, and who must have overheard his last words. Their presence +appeared to be even more unsatisfactory to the chief-engineer.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hartmann, what are you doing up here?" he asked in some embarrassment.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The overman told us we were to go down the shaft with the gentlemen," +answered Ulric, keeping his darkly gleaming eyes fixed on Berkow.</p> + +<p class="normal">The chief-engineer shrugged his shoulders and turned to his principal, +with a look which said plainly enough, "He might as well have chosen +some one else," but he made no reply.</p> + +<p class="normal">"All right," said Berkow, shortly. "Go on, we will follow you."</p> + +<p class="normal">The two miners obeyed. When they were out of sight of the others, +Lawrence stopped a moment.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ulric!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"What?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Did you hear?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"That he can't throw away thousands just to insure the lives of a few +hewers and trammers? But the returns are to be increased by tens of +thousands! Well, no one is safe here down below, and he means coming +with us to-day. We shall see whose turn comes first. Off with you, +Karl."</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">It seemed that the long-looked-for spring had indeed conquered her +kingdom by the might of yesterday's storm, with such magic swiftness +had the weather changed over night. Fog and cloud had vanished without +leaving trace behind, and with them were gone also both wind and cold. +The mountains lay clear and distinct, bathed in bright sunshine, the +air around them was warm and balmy, and so at last one might dare to +hope that the continual rain and tempests of the last few weeks were +over at last, over for the long sunny spring and summer time.</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie had stepped out on to her balcony, and was looking at the +landscape from which the veil had at length been lifted. Her eyes were +fixed dreamily on the mountains out yonder. Perhaps she was thinking of +yesterday's mists up on the heights, perhaps the rustling and swaying +to and fro of the great pine branches still sounded in her ears, but +all these recollections were suddenly put to flight. The note of a +post-horn was heard close by, and immediately afterwards a chaise drew +up before the terrace below. With a cry of joyful surprise she flew +back from the balcony.</p> + +<p class="normal">"My father!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Yes, it certainly was Baron Windeg who stepped so quickly from the +carriage and up into the hall, where he found his daughter already +waiting to welcome him. It was the first time they had met since her +marriage, and, in spite of the presence of two servants who had rushed +to the door to receive so distinguished a guest, the father took his +child in his arms, eagerly, as he had done on the evening of her +wedding-day, when she had come in her travelling dress to take leave of +him. At length she drew herself gently free and led him with her to her +favourite room, the little blue boudoir.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What a surprise, papa!" said Eugénie, radiant with joyful agitation. +"I had no idea of this visit."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron, with his arm still round her, sat down by her side on the +sofa.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And I did not propose to visit you, dear, but I had to make a journey +to this part of the country, and I neither could nor would resist going +a few miles out of my way that I might see you again."</p> + +<p class="normal">"A journey?" Eugénie looked up enquiringly at her father and met his +eyes, which were searching her face, as though trying to read there the +story of the weeks during which she had been separated from him. As her +look fell accidentally on the hat he was still holding, she shrank +back, pale and startled.</p> + +<p class="normal">"For Heaven's sake, papa! tell me the meaning of that crape. My +brothers" ...</p> + +<p class="normal">"They are well and send their love," said the Baron soothingly. "Do not +be alarmed, Eugénie, you have no cause to fear for any who are dear to +you. The mourning which has fallen on our house does not, I regret to +say, deeply affect our hearts. But you shall hear all about that later +on, now you must tell me" ...</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, no," interrupted his daughter uneasily. "I must know first for +whom you wear this crape. Why are you in mourning?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Windeg placed his crape-bound hat on one side and drew his child more +closely to him; there was something convulsive, something painful, in +the manner of his tenderness towards her.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am on my way to pay the last marks of respect to our cousin Rabenau. +His property lies in this province."</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie started up. "Count Rabenau? the owner of the entailed estates?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Is dead," continued the Baron, speaking with difficulty. "In the +fulness of life and strength, a few weeks before his intended marriage. +No one could have foreseen that."</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie had grown deadly white. It was evident that the news awakened +in her some terrible emotion which yet was not grief. She said no word, +but her father seemed to understand her agitation.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You know that we have been strangers to each other for a long time," +he went on sadly. "Rabenau's rough, fierce ways made it impossible for +us to be on good terms, and I shall never forget the bitter repulse I +met with from him six months ago. He could have saved us if he would, +it would have been but a light thing to him. He refused harshly and +peremptorily, and now he is dead, leaving no issue. I succeed to the +entailed property, now that it is too late, that I have sacrificed my +child!"</p> + +<p class="normal">There was such misery in his tone that Eugénie made a great effort to +control herself, and succeeded after the lapse of a minute or two.</p> + +<p class="normal">"O papa, you must not think of me now! I--I am quite relieved to know +that you will be so richly compensated for all the past humiliations. I +was only a little startled, taken by surprise at the sudden news. We +never could have counted on the succession."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Never!" said the Baron gloomily. "Rabenau was young and strong, he was +about to be married. Who could have guessed that a three days' illness +would have carried him off? But, if he was fated to die, why, oh! why +could this event not have happened sooner? A month ago, half, nay, a +quarter of the wealth now flowing in upon me would have saved us. I +could have flung back his money to the rogue who brought my misfortunes +on me, with the hundredfold rate of usury which he claimed, and my only +daughter would not have been the price of his vile bargain. I accepted +your sacrifice, Eugénie, God knows not for my own sake, but for that of +the name we bear, and to secure my sons' future. Now, when I think that +all that bitter sacrifice was in vain, that a short chance delay of a +few weeks would have spared it us both, I cannot endure this mockery of +Fate."</p> + +<p class="normal">He pressed her hand tightly in his. But, by this time, Eugénie had won +back all her pride and complete composure. If this "too late" were +terrible in its effect upon her, she did not allow it to be seen.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You must not speak so, papa," she replied firmly. "It would be unjust +to your other children. Count Rabenau was such, that we can only +formally mourn his death, and it sets you free from much trouble and +embarrassment. My marriage only averted the most threatening danger. +There remained burdens enough upon us, which weighed heavily and might +one day have brought you again into degrading dependence on that man. +All fear of this is now over for ever, you can pay him back the whole +of what you have received, we shall owe him nothing more!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"But he will owe us," interrupted Windeg bitterly, "and he will take +good care never to pay his debt; it is the thought of that which turns +my joy to gall. A short time back I should have greeted this +deliverance with delight, and with the keenest sense of relief, now it +drives me to despair on your account."</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie turned away and bent over some flowers which bloomed in a vase +at her side.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am not so unhappy as you and my brothers perhaps fancy," said she, +in a low voice.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not? Do you think your letters could deceive me? I knew beforehand +that you would do all to spare us, but if I could have had a doubt, +your pale face would have told the story plainly enough. You are +unhappy, Eugénie, you must be unhappy with this man who"----</p> + +<p class="normal">"Papa, you are speaking of my husband!" The young wife spoke with so +much warmth, and rose so hastily from her seat, that her father stepped +back and looked at her, astonished at her tone and at the crimson flush +which overspread her countenance.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Forgive me," said he, recovering himself, "I cannot accustom myself to +the thought that my daughter belongs to an Arthur Berkow, and that I am +at the present moment in his house. They oblige me to enter it if I +wish to see my own child! But you are right, I must spare you in +speaking of the man you have married, though I can see plainly how much +you have suffered, and still have to suffer through him."</p> + +<p class="normal">The deep glow was fading slowly from Eugénie's face, but there was +still a lingering flush on it, as she answered hurriedly,</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are mistaken, I have no complaint to make of Arthur. He has held +himself aloof from the first with a forbearance for which I can only +thank him."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron's eyes kindled.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I would not advise either him or his father to forget the regard which +is due to you. They, of all people, least deserved the honour you have +brought to their house, where there was no great honour before. And one +satisfaction I can give you, Eugénie: you will not long have to bear a +name to which attaches so much meanness, so much roguery to us and to +others, roguery none the less shameful that the law cannot touch it. I +have taken care that, at least, there shall be an end of that."</p> + +<p class="normal">His daughter looked at him in surprise.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What do you mean, papa? An end of what?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have taken the necessary steps to obtain for your"----the Baron +seemed to have some difficulty in pronouncing the word, "your husband +an elevation to the peerage. Only for him, not for his father, I will +render <i>him</i> no service, and I will not have him, even formally, +admitted into our ranks. It is not unusual that such a change of +position should be accompanied by a change of name, and so it shall be +in this case. You can choose yourselves among the names of your estates +that which may seem to you the most suitable for the noble race you are +about to found. Your wishes will be taken into consideration."</p> + +<p class="normal">"The noble race we are about to found!" repeated Eugénie almost under +her breath. "You are mistaken, papa, and if you only wish for this +elevation of rank on my account ... but you are right! It will be best +in any case. The thought has been dreadful to me that I had to accept +back, as a free gift from Arthur's generosity, that which he had bought +and paid for. Now, we can offer him something for it. The patent of +nobility will be ample compensation for all that he gives up."</p> + +<p class="normal">In the bitterness of this outburst there was an undertone of suppressed +pain. To Windeg one was as incomprehensible as the other; his +daughter's speech was an enigma to him, and he would have asked her for +an explanation, if a servant had not just then appeared and announced +Herr Berkow, who wished to wait upon the Baron.</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur entered and approached his father-in-law with some polite speech +about the latter's unexpected visit. The young man had resumed his old +blasé manner. He welcomed his guest as a mere matter of etiquette, and +his guest, in return, just submitted to the welcome as to a necessity. +This time no strangers were by, so even the form of shaking hands was +omitted. They contented themselves with bowing coolly, then the elder +man took up his position again at his daughter's side, and the younger +remained standing, evidently intending to shorten, as much as might be, +this enforced visit to his wife's boudoir.</p> + +<p class="normal">Windeg would not have been the consummate man of the world he was, if, +notwithstanding the exciting nature of his talk with Eugénie, he had +failed to fall back at once into a conventional tone. The usual +inquiries were then made, and information given as to different members +of the family. Count Rabenau's decease was mentioned as the cause of +the journey, and formal condolences were offered by Arthur, who +certainly had no idea of the change which this death would bring about +in the circumstances of his new relations. At length the Baron +introduced a new subject.</p> + +<p class="normal">"But," said he politely, "I bring some news from the city which must +have a real interest for you, Herr Berkow. I take it for granted that +your father's wishes respecting an elevation of rank have been no +secret from you, and I am in a position to assure you that they are +likely to be fulfilled. On one point, certainly, I find the obstacles +to be insurmountable. There are certain--certain prejudices against +Herr Berkow personally, which can hardly be set aside, but, on the +other hand, there is every disposition to distinguish him, as one of +the leaders of the industrial movement in this country, by conferring a +title on his son. In short, I hope soon to offer you my congratulations +thereupon."</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur had listened without any change of countenance. Now he raised +his eyes, and Eugénie's gaze was immediately riveted on them, with an +interest inexplicable even to herself.</p> + +<p class="normal">For the moment, however, there was but little to be read in his face.</p> + +<p class="normal">"May I ask, Baron, whether the wishes of my father were alone consulted +in this matter, or whether the question has been raised out of regard +to your daughter?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Windeg felt slightly embarrassed; he had reckoned so surely on some +expression of thanks, and now instead there came this singular inquiry.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Our wishes on the subject became naturally identical, when once the +alliance between us was accomplished," he returned rather stiffly. +"Besides, I did not conceal from Herr Berkow my doubts as to any +personal benefit accruing to himself. I received an assurance from him +that he would, if necessary, lay aside his own claims in favour of his +only son and heir, his sole anxiety being to secure for him a brilliant +career in the future."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then I regret that my father has not made me acquainted with the +progress of this affair. I only knew of it as a vague project," said +Arthur coolly, "and I regret still more that you should have used your +influence to procure for me an honour, which I, unfortunately, must +decline."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron started up and stared at his son-in-law.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Excuse me, Herr Berkow, did I hear aright? I understood you to speak +of declining"----</p> + +<p class="normal">"Of declining a peerage, were it offered to me. Yes."</p> + +<p class="normal">Windeg was utterly disconcerted, a thing which rarely happened to him. +"Well then, I must beg of you to give me your reasons for this, to use +a mild term, very singular refusal. I am extremely anxious to hear +them."</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur looked across at his wife. She had started as he spoke, and the +deep flush had again mounted hotly to her cheeks. Their eyes met, and +they gazed for a second at each other, but the young man found in his +wife's face no inducement to yield. He answered with a decided ring of +defiance in his voice.</p> + +<p class="normal">"My refusal is less singular than the proposal, as it is made to me. +Had a title been conferred on my father, on account of the services he +has indisputably rendered to the industry of the country, I, as his +heir, should have joined in accepting it. Such a recognition is +honourable as any other. It has not been thought fit to grant it to +him, and I, of course, am no judge as to the prejudices which may stand +in the way. But, for my part, I have not the very smallest claim to +such a distinction, and therefore I think it better not to set afloat a +report in the city that a connection by marriage with the Windeg family +will necessarily imply a peerage."</p> + +<p class="normal">He let fall the last words very quietly, but Eugénie pressed her lips +angrily together. She knew he meant them for her alone. Was he bent on +freeing himself from everything that could justify her contempt? Her +wish to feel such contempt was stronger than ever.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I seem indeed to have been in error as to the motives which led you to +desire our connection," said the Baron slowly, "but I must confess I +was not prepared to find that you held such views. They must be of +somewhat recent date, for, before your marriage, you appeared to +entertain quite different ideas."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Before my marriage!" A smile of infinite bitterness played about +Arthur's lips. "I was somewhat ignorant then as to the way in which I +myself and my position in society were looked upon in the upper +circles. This has since been clearly pointed out to me in a rather +unsparing fashion, and you can therefore hardly feel surprise that I +should renounce all idea of forcing my way into them as an unwished-for +intruder."</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie's fingers closed tightly round the rose which she had drawn out +of the vase and was still holding in her hand. The tender flower shared +the fate her fan had lately met with in Arthur's grasp; it fell crushed +to the ground. Arthur did not notice it, he had now almost turned his +back on her and stood facing her father, who stared as though in doubt +as to whether it really were his son-in-law he saw before him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I cannot, of course, divine who may have made such very exaggerated +disclosures to you," he replied gravely, "but I do beg of you in this +matter to have some consideration for Eugénie. The rôle she will, in +all probability, have to play in the city this winter makes it +impossible for her--excuse me, Herr Berkow--impossible, I say, for her +to bear a middle-class name. That was never intended either by your +father or by me."</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur looked again at his wife long and sternly. She still took no +part in the conversation, interfering by no single word, though she +generally knew right well how to make her views known and her will +felt.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Before the winter, the situation may have shaped itself differently +than at present appears. Leave that to Eugénie and to me. For the time +being, I regret that I must maintain my decision. As this high position +is offered to me alone, I certainly have the right alone to accept or +to decline, and I must decline, for--pardon me. Baron--I do not wish to +owe it to my wife's aristocratic name."</p> + +<p class="normal">Windeg rose offended.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then there is no course left open to me but to recall as speedily as +possible the steps which have already been taken in this business, so +that I may not be compromised further than I am at present. Eugénie, +you are quite silent. What do you say to the views you have heard your +husband express?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The young wife was spared all answer, for at this moment the door was, +not noiselessly opened by the servant as was usual, but hastily flung +back, and, unannounced, with pallid face and an utter disregard of +those forms to which he was wont to pay so much attention, in rushed +Herr Wilberg.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Is Herr Berkow here? Excuse me, my lady, I must speak to Herr Berkow +at once."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What has happened?" said Arthur, going up to the young man, whose +disturbed countenance betrayed ill tidings.</p> + +<p class="normal">"An accident!" said Wilberg breathless. "Down below in the shaft. Your +father is hurt, grievously hurt. The Director sent me"----</p> + +<p class="normal">He got no further in his report, for Arthur had hurried past him to the +door. The young official was about to follow him, but outside in the +corridor he was stopped by the Baron.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Have you told the son the whole truth?" asked he gravely. "You need +hide nothing from me. Is Herr Berkow dead?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes," gasped Wilberg. "He was ascending with Deputy Hartmann--the +ropes gave way--Hartmann saved himself by springing on to the last +stage but one--Herr Berkow was carried down into the depths. No one +knows how the accident happened, but it cannot be concealed. Prepare +her ladyship for the news, I must go."</p> + +<p class="normal">He hastened after Arthur, while Windeg turned back into the room, where +his daughter met him in a state of great excitement.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What have you heard, papa? The face of that messenger of woe spoke of +something more than a mere injury. What has happened?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"The worst," said the Baron deeply moved. "But a few minutes ago, +Eugénie, we were uttering bitter accusations against the man, now all +our hatred and the enmity between us are over. Death has smoothed them +away."</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">The first solemn weeks succeeding the accident had passed by, but that +sense of oppression, which rests upon every house of mourning, had not +yet been dispelled; it made itself even more keenly felt now that all +the busy arrangements, the visits and condolences, were over. There had +been no lack of outward marks of sympathy. Berkow's position, his +numerous acquaintances and large connections made his death an event of +importance. The cortége which followed him to the grave, including, of +course, all the officials and workmen on the estate had been of endless +length. Cards and letters strewed the heir's writing-table, and the +whole neighbourhood came to pay visits to his wife. Every attention was +shown to the young people; it was felt that, so far as they were +concerned, there were no "prejudices," as Baron Windeg had +diplomatically expressed it, to be overcome.</p> + +<p class="normal">The loss cut no one to the heart, perhaps not even the dead man's only +son, for whom he had done so much. Where all esteem is wanting, it is +not easy to love. But it would have been hard to decide whether Arthur +were deeply moved by his father's death or not. The composure he showed +in the presence of others led to the belief that he had not been +seriously affected by it, and yet, ever since the catastrophe, he had +been almost solemn in his gravity, and had become inaccessible to all +with whom he was not necessarily brought into relations. Eugénie's calm +could surprise no one who knew anything of the circumstances. Her +hatred, like her father's, had died out, certainly, at Berkow's death; +any other sentiment towards him had been out of the question with her, +and, unfortunately, her views in this respect were shared by many who +had but too good cause for such a state of feeling.</p> + +<p class="normal">The officials had been too often wounded by the arrogant and +unconciliating behaviour of the man who, having made his own way up in +the world, looked upon their knowledge and abilities as so many wares +to be at his absolute disposal, in consideration of the salary paid; +they could have no deep regrets for the loss of a principal who cared +little either for character, personal qualities, or individual talent, +but was exclusively bent on extracting the greatest possible amount of +service from each in his separate capacity.</p> + +<p class="normal">Among the workmen a still worse temper was noticeable; they showed an +utter absence of all feeling, they were moved neither by sympathy nor +compassion. Whatever reproaches Berkow had earned, he had incontestably +proved himself to be an industrial genius of the very first order. By +his own efforts he had raised himself from poverty and lowliness to the +height of prosperity--had called into being operations on so grand a +scale as to vie with any in the land--had won for himself a position +which he might have used as a blessing to thousands. He did not so use +it, had not been willing to do the good he might, and, therefore, +through all his belongings, throughout his vast establishment, a deep +breath of relief was drawn when his sudden death became known. "Thank +God!" was the thought unexpressed, but felt by all, and in this manner +judgment was passed on his memory.</p> + +<p class="normal">Whether the inheritance of such a life and all that it had sown year by +year were, in reality, as desirable as appearances suggested, shall not +here be decided. However that might be, its first effect on the young +heir was to lay on his shoulders such a heavy burden of care and +business as, according to the general opinion, he was of all men least +fitted to bear. He had, it is true, officials for each separate +department, representatives and authorised agents, but the very fact +that his father had thoroughly understood how to keep them all in +subjection to himself and under his sovereign control, made the present +need greater, the absence of the guiding eye and hand of the master +himself more keenly felt. The son had now to take the reins in hand, +and, before ever he could do so, the significant shrugs of all his +dependants showed their unanimous judgment, or rather condemnation, of +him. They were all of one mind as to this: he was to be counted on for +nothing, or next to nothing.</p> + +<p class="normal">The entire staff of officials was assembled in the committee-room, +awaiting the arrival of the new proprietor who had convoked the meeting +for this hour. Any one who saw these gentlemen's irresolute disturbed +countenances, some of which bore traces of real anxiety, would have +been convinced that more important matters were on hand than the mere +formal introduction of the heir, now that the first days of mourning +were over.</p> + +<p class="normal">"That was a blow," the Director was saying to Herr Schäffer, who had +come out from the city, "the very worst that could have happened to us! +We knew long ago what they were concerting and planning among +themselves, and the same thing is going on now on all the neighbouring +works. We could see it coming, and we should have taken some +precautionary measures, but now, just at this juncture! It places us +altogether at their mercy."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hartmann has chosen his time well," put in the chief-engineer +bitterly. "He knows what he is about in going ahead like this, without +waiting for the other works. The master gone, all the affairs in +confusion and at a standstill, the heir incapable of any energetic +action--now is the very time to push his claims! I always told you +this Hartmann would be a thorn in our flesh. The people are not +ill-disposed; we cannot blame them for wanting to secure for themselves +safety in the mines and the necessaries of life. They have held out +under oppressive circumstances as no others have, and they would have +made reasonable demands which might have been granted. That which they +want to dictate to us now under their present leader passes all belief. +It is a regular revolt against all existing institutions."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What will the young gentleman do.'" asked Wilberg, rather timidly. +Among these helpless, anxious men, he was most helpless, most anxious +of all.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What, under the circumstances, he can't help doing," returned Herr +Schäffer, gravely. "Agree to whatever they ask."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Excuse me, he cannot do that," cried the chief-engineer. "There would +be an end of all discipline, and before the year is out he would be a +ruined man. At any rate, I should not remain on any works where that +course was adopted."</p> + +<p class="normal">Schäffer shrugged his shoulders.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And yet there is hardly any alternative left him. I have told you +already that things are by no means so brilliant with us as they appear +to be. We have had losses of late, very heavy losses. On every side +there have been deficits to cover, sacrifices to make, and, with all +this, so many engagements to meet.... In short, we have nothing to +reckon on but the actual returns from the works. If they remain idle +for a few months, and we cannot carry out the contracts we have +undertaken for the year, then--it is all up with us."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Something of this must have got wind among the hands," said the +chief-engineer, thoughtfully, "or they would not have dared to show so +bold a front. But they know full well that what has once been conceded +can never be recalled. Hartmann will strain every nerve to gain his +end, and if, owing to the stress of circumstances, he should really +succeed!... What said Herr Arthur when you acquainted him with the +state of his affairs?"</p> + +<p class="normal">It was noticeable that none of the officials even spoke of him as Herr +Berkow or as their principal. They seemed not to be able to associate +such terms with their late master's son. They called him Herr Arthur or +"the young gentleman," as they had been in the habit of doing. At the +last question all eyes were turned on Schäffer.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Nothing," said Schäffer. "'I am obliged to you, Schäffer.' That was +all. But he kept the papers, which I had taken with me for his +edification, and shut himself up with them. I have not spoken to him +since."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I spoke to him yesterday evening when I had to submit to him our +people's demands," said the Director. "At the first mention of the bad +news, he turned deadly pale, but he listened in silence without +answering a syllable, and when I gave him a few words of counsel and +encouragement, feeling sure that it would end in a consultation, he +sent me away. 'He wished first to consider the matter alone.' Imagine, +if you please, Herr Arthur considering! This morning I received +instructions to summon you all to a conference."</p> + +<p class="normal">The old sarcastic lines showed round Herr Schäffer's mouth.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am afraid I can tell you the result of our conference beforehand. +'Consent to everything, gentlemen, give way unconditionally, do what +you like, only make sure that the works are kept going for the +present.' And then he will make the announcement that he is going back +to the city with her ladyship, and intends to leave matters here to +Providence and to Herr Hartmann."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But blow after blow is falling upon him just now!" broke in Wilberg, +taking the part of the absent with chivalrous warmth. "A stronger man +than he might well succumb."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, weakness always finds sympathy from you," said the +chief-engineer, derisively. "But, during the last few weeks, you seem +to have had a very decided leaning in the opposite direction. Herr +Hartmann was in the enjoyment of your special friendship. Do you still +rave about him?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Good Heavens, no!" cried Wilberg, with almost a look of consternation. +"I have felt a horror of the man ever since--ever since Herr Berkow's +sudden death."</p> + +<p class="normal">"So have I," said the chief-engineer shortly, "and so, I suppose, have +we all. It is revolting to have to treat precisely with him, but when +there are no proofs, one does well to be silent."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you seriously believe then in the possibility of a crime?" asked +Schäffer lowering his voice.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Director shrugged his shoulders.</p> + +<p class="normal">"At the inquest, they only proved the fact of the ropes having given +way. They may have given way of themselves; whether it really was so or +not, can only be known to Hartmann. As I said before, the inquest +brought nothing to light, and there certainly would have been no just +grounds for suspicion had any other man been his companion. This fellow +is capable of anything."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But, remember, his own life was in the greatest peril. He saved +himself by a spring, which was a daring feat not one in ten could have +attempted, and which, assuredly, not one in ten would have made +successfully. He must have expected to go down with the other and be +dashed to pieces."</p> + +<p class="normal">The chief-engineer shook his head.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You little know Ulric Hartmann, if you think he would hesitate to risk +his life in any undertaking he was bent on carrying through. You stood +by that day when he rushed before those horses. It was his humour then +to come to the rescue. When the fancy takes him to destroy, he will +care little about bringing destruction on himself. That is just the +dangerous point about this man. He is utterly without consideration +either for himself or for others. He would sacrifice himself in case of +need, if"----</p> + +<p class="normal">He broke off suddenly, for at this moment the young proprietor came in.</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur was greatly changed. The deep mourning he wore made his +naturally pale face appear still more pallid, and his eyes looked as if +he had known no sleep for many a night. He returned the officials' +greeting quietly, as he stepped in among them.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have sent for you, gentlemen, that I might confer with you on the +subject of those business concerns which have passed into my hands +through my father's death. There is much in them to set in order and +much to change, more, possibly, than we at first supposed. Up to the +present time, I have, as you are aware, held myself completely aloof +from all these matters, and I shall not be able to feel my way at once, +though, during the last few days, I have attempted to do so. I must, +therefore, rely entirely upon your goodwill and readiness to assist me, +and, as I shall, doubtless, make many claims on you for both, I offer +you beforehand my sincere thanks."</p> + +<p class="normal">The gentlemen bowed; marks of astonishment were already visible on most +of their faces, and the chief-engineer cast a glance at the Director, +which seemed to say, "So far, he is rational enough."</p> + +<p class="normal">"All these things," continued Arthur, "must give place for the moment +to the misfortune, the danger with which we are threatened by the +demands our miners have made upon us, and by the suspension of work +which might follow on our non-agreement to them. Of course, there can +be no question as to our decision."</p> + +<p class="normal">This time it was Herr Schäffer's turn to shoot a glance over to the +chief-engineer; it spoke as plainly as its predecessor: "Did not I tell +you so? he makes unconditional surrender. Now he is going to announce +his departure."</p> + +<p class="normal">But the young proprietor seemed in no haste to do so; he went on:</p> + +<p class="normal">"In the first place, we must find out who drills the people, and who +leads them?"</p> + +<p class="normal">A pause of a few seconds followed. None of the officials cared to +pronounce a name they had so lately associated with the recent +accident. At last the chief-engineer said:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hartmann leads them, and so there can be no doubt that they are in +able hands, and that the movement has been well organised."</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur looked thoughtfully before him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I fear so too, and there will be a battle, for, as to a complete +concession on our part, of course, there can be no question of it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Of course, there can be no question of it!" repeated the +chief-engineer triumphantly, thereby giving the signal for a very +animated debate, in which he most resolutely defended the views he had +previously expressed. Herr Schäffer, who represented the opposition, +was not less eager in his endeavours, by all sorts of hints and covert +allusions which were understood by his young principal but too clearly, +to prove to the latter that there was no help but to yield.</p> + +<p class="normal">On the other hand, the Director preserved a sort of neutrality, +advising delay and some negotiations. The remaining officials let the +heads of the different departments have the discussion to themselves, +risking only an occasional remark, or modestly expressed opinion.</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur listened to it all in silence, and apparently with much +attention, neither leaning to one side nor the other, but when Schäffer +brought one of his longest speeches to a close with the explicit words +"we must!" he raised his head suddenly with an air of resolution which +hushed all the voices round him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"We must not, Herr Schäffer. There is something more to be considered +in this than the question of money; my position here as master would be +ruined for ever if I were thus to surrender at discretion. Though +I am but little acquainted with these things, I can plainly see that +such demands as are now made overstep all bounds. You allow that, +gentlemen? Abuses may have crept in, the miners may have grounds for +complaint" ....</p> + +<p class="normal">"That they have, Herr Berkow," interrupted the chief-engineer stoutly. +"They are in the right when they ask for a thorough examination of the +mines, and for the necessary repairs and improvements; they are right +in requiring that their wages shall be raised, and there is something +to be said also in favour of relief to be granted in the division of +labour. Beyond this all is arrogant presumption, and due solely to +their leader Hartmann. He is the soul of the whole business."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then we will hear him first. I have already sent him word that his +presence, and that of the other delegates, might be necessary here. +They are in attendance. Herr Wilberg, will you call them in?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Herr Wilberg obeyed, his open mouth and almost stupid expression of +countenance betokening extreme amazement. Herr Schäffer raised his +eyebrows and stared at the Director. The latter took a pinch of snuff +and stared at the others, and then they all turned their gaze +collectively on the new proprietor, who thus suddenly made arrangements +and gave out orders in a tone which fairly bewildered them. The +chief-engineer was, perhaps, the one exception. He turned his back on +his colleagues, and took up his stand at Arthur's side, knowing well by +this time where his allegiance was due.</p> + +<p class="normal">Meanwhile Wilberg had returned, followed by Ulric Hartmann, Lawrence +and another miner. As though it were a matter of course, these two +remained some steps behind and let the young Deputy advance alone.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Good day!"<a name="div2Ref_01" href="#div2_01"><sup>[1]</sup></a> said he, and +"Good day!" repeated his two comrades; but +the tone of the greeting seemed to contradict its meaning. Ulric's +bearing had always been imperious and defiant, but it had never assumed +so challenging and absolutely insulting an air as now that, for the +first time, he came before the master and assembled officials, no +longer as a subordinate to receive orders and instructions, but as a +delegate who had not to submit his terms, no, but to dictate them!</p> + +<p class="normal">His attitude betrayed, it is true, no low-minded arrogance, but rather +that disdainful sense of superiority, which the consciousness of his +own strength and others' weakness bears in upon a man. He let his moody +blue eyes travel slowly round the circle until they fixed themselves, +at last, upon the principal, and his lips curled contemptuously as he +awaited in silence the opening speech.</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur had not seated himself during the previous discussion. He stood +now, grave and collected, and faced the man, who, as every one +declared, was principally to blame for the blow which threatened him. +Of that far deeper blame connected with his father's last moments, he, +the son, was happily quite unsuspicious. He began the negotiation, +therefore, with perfect composure.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Deputy Hartmann, you submitted to me yesterday, through the Director +of this establishment, the claims put forward by all the miners +employed on my works, and in case of these not being conceded, you +threatened a general cessation of work."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Just so, Herr Berkow," was the short decided answer.</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur leaned with his hand on the table, but his tone was cool and +business-like; it betrayed no emotion whatever.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Before we go any further, I wish to know what you really have in view +in this proceeding. These are no reasonable demands, they amount to a +declaration of war, for you must say to yourselves that I neither can +nor will make any such concessions."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Whether you can make them or not, I don't know, Herr Berkow," said +Ulric coldly, "but I believe that you will have to make them, for we +are determined to let the works lie idle until you have agreed to our +terms. You won't find men to replace us in the whole province."</p> + +<p class="normal">The argument was forcible, and little could be objected to it, but the +tone in which it was put forth was scornful in the extreme.</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur's brows contracted angrily.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is far from being my intention to refuse you everything," he +explained steadily. "Among your demands are several the justice of +which I acknowledge, and those I am ready to meet. An examination of +the shafts and mines shall be made and the necessary alterations at +once completed. The wages will, in part at least, be raised. To +accomplish this, I shall have to make heavy sacrifices, more, perhaps, +than in a business point of view I am justified in making, but it shall +be done. On the other hand, the remaining clauses must be withdrawn. +They tend solely to take all power from me and my agents, and to relax +that discipline which, in such a concern as this, is a question of +paramount importance."</p> + +<p class="normal">Ulric's contemptuous expression had disappeared and given place to a +look of surprise and distrust. He turned his eyes first on the +officials and then on their leader, evidently suspecting that the +latter was reciting a lesson previously learnt by heart.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am sorry, Herr Berkow, but the clauses must stand!" he returned +defiantly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I can well believe that to you they form the main point at issue," +said Arthur, "nevertheless, I repeat it, they must be withdrawn. In my +concessions I will go to the extreme limit of what seems practicable. +There I shall stop, and shall attempt nothing further. That which I am +ready to grant should and would content every man who is seeking honest +remunerative labour. Those who are not satisfied with it are seeking +something quite different, and with such there can be no hope of coming +to an understanding. I give you my word of honour that all necessary +precautions shall be taken for the safety of the men who work in the +mines, and that there shall be an increase of wages. I shall only +require from you some confidence in my word. Before, however, we begin +to discuss the matter, the second part of your claims must be given up. +They can never be made good, for no consideration on earth would induce +me to subscribe to them."</p> + +<p class="normal">He had maintained throughout the same quiet business-like tone, but the +whole tenor of his speech differed so widely from the young heir's +habitual style and manner that it could not fail to have some effect on +Ulric. He could hardly believe his own ears, but the more unexpected +resistance was to him, coming from a quarter where he had surely +reckoned on some timid compromise which should serve as a bridge to +absolute surrender, so much the more did such resistance anger him, and +his fiery spirit broke at once through the unaccustomed restraint.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You had better not put the matter from you in that way, Herr Berkow," +said he, in a threatening voice. "There are two thousand of us, and the +works are as good as in our hands. The time is past when you could make +slaves of us and crush us at your liking. Now we demand our rights, and +if we can't get them by fair means, we shall take them by force."</p> + +<p class="normal">A movement, half of anger, half of uneasiness, passed through the +circle of bystanders. They felt that a scene was at hand, and dreaded +lest, through Hartmann's savage temper, it might end with some deeds of +violence.</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur had grown crimson. He stepped forward a few paces and stood +close to Ulric, facing him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"First of all, Hartmann, have the goodness to alter your tone, and +remember you are addressing your employer. If you wish to be received +here as a delegate, if you lay claims, as such, to some sort of +equality, you must behave with the propriety which is customary on such +occasions, and not fling in our faces threats of violence and revolt. +You exact discipline from your people, and I exact it from you. Lord it +outside over your comrades as much as you choose, but so long as I +stand here before you, it is I who am master of these works--and I +intend to remain so. Keep that fact in mind."</p> + +<p class="normal">A thunderbolt falling into the committee-room could not have had a more +startling effect than these words, spoken with great energy and in +commanding accents. The officials receded in their first surprise, and +then moved round their leader as if to protect him, but he quietly +waved them back.</p> + +<p class="normal">The two miners, standing in the background, stared at him half +stupefied by their astonishment; but, of all present, Ulric was most +seriously affected by this sudden display of vigour. He had grown +deadly pale and stood bending forwards, with trembling lips, with eyes +wide open, as though he could not, would not, understand that which he +saw and heard. A great blaze of anger flashed into his face, and he was +about to rush at his enemy like an enraged lion, when he met a look so +clear, so calm and steadfast, that it quelled him as it would have +quelled the kingly beast he resembled.</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur still stood motionless, he had but opened his eyes wide and +full, and with his eyes alone had ordered back within bounds that +furious spirit in the very act of breaking forth. Only a few seconds +did they gaze at one another; then the fortune of the day was decided. +Gradually Ulric unclenched his right hand; gradually the wild look of +menace vanished from his countenance and his eyes sought the ground. He +had recognised in his young employer an equal, if not a superior mind, +and he bowed before it.</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur stepped back. His voice sounded cold and quiet again as he +continued: "And now let your comrades know what I can grant and what I +cannot. You may add that I shall not retract a single word of all that +I have said. So we have done for the present.</p> + +<p class="normal">"We have," Ulric's voice was low and hoarse, half stifled by repressed +passion. "I must inform you then, in the name of the miners employed on +these works, that all hands will go on strike tomorrow morning."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Very well, I was prepared for it. And now, I warn you, Hartmann, once +for all, to take no extreme measures. They say you have unlimited power +over your comrades. Look to it then that quiet and order are +maintained, and do not hope to intimidate by noisy disturbances. I and +my friends here will do all and everything to avoid a conflict. If it +is forced upon us, we shall take up a defensive position, and, if it +comes to the worst, I shall use my rights as master of the place. Spare +both me and yourselves that."</p> + +<p class="normal">Ulric turned to go. In the hate and fury of his parting glance there +mingled a something other, deeper, undivined by any; a something which +tightened round his wild passionate heart with a cramp-like hold. He +had so taught himself to despise this 'weakling,' and so triumphed in +the thought that he must be despised ... elsewhere also. But if the man +showed himself elsewhere as here, then there must be an end of all +contempt, and the great brown eyes, which had compelled obedience from +him, might there compel some other feeling than hatred and repugnance. +The pallor, which had overspread the miner's face on receiving that +reprimand, became almost livid as he turned away.</p> + +<p class="normal">"We shall see who holds out longest. Good day."</p> + +<p class="normal">He went, accompanied by his two comrades, whose faces showed that the +scene they had just witnessed had worked differently on them than on +their leader. They cast back a look half shy, half respectful at their +master, and their manner, on leaving the room, was hesitating and +uncertain.</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur looked after them with a scrutinising gaze, and then turned to +the officials.</p> + +<p class="normal">"There are two already who follow him in a half-hearted way. I hope the +majority of them will come to their senses, if we give them time. For +the present, gentlemen, we must yield to necessity and close the works. +I quite appreciate the danger of our position here, in a secluded place +with two thousand excited men having a leader like Hartmann at their +head, but I am determined to stand my ground, and not to give way an +inch until all is decided. It must, of course, depend entirely on your +own choice whether you follow me or not. As almost all of you were +opposed to my decision, I, naturally, cannot force the consequences of +it upon you, and I am quite ready to give leave of absence to any one +who thinks a temporary removal from the works desirable."</p> + +<p class="normal">This proposal was answered by a unanimous and indignant negative. All +the officials pressed round their principal with almost passionate +eagerness, assuring him that not one of them would budge from his +place. Even the timid Herr Wilberg seemed suddenly to have acquired the +courage of a lion, so earnestly did he give in his adhesion. Arthur +drew a long breath of relief.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I thank you, gentlemen. We will discuss things further this afternoon, +and agree as to the measures to be taken. I must leave you now. Herr +Schäffer, in an hour I shall be glad to see you over in my study. Once +more, gentlemen, I thank you all."</p> + +<p class="normal">Only when he had gone, and the door had fairly closed behind him, did +all the different feelings of astonishment, approval and apprehension +find vent, which up to this time had been restrained by his presence.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am trembling in every limb," said Wilberg, forgetting his superiors' +close vicinity and letting himself fall on to a seat. The excitement of +the moment seemed to have done away with all considerations of +etiquette. "Good Heavens, that was a scene! I thought that savage, +Hartmann, would rush upon him! but his look! his way of speaking! Who +could have expected it from him?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"He was too sharp, a great deal too sharp," said Schäffer +disapprovingly; but, even in his disapproval and in the thoughtful +shake of his head, there was quite another expression to that which he +had lately manifested in speaking of Arthur. "He talked as though he +had still command over millions, and as though it were not a question +of life and death with him to keep the works going. With all the +father's arrogance, he would have given way here unconditionally, for, +as far as the business is concerned, it would have been salvation to +him, and he was not troubled by many considerations as to his dignity +and his position. The son seems to be made of different stuff, but that +kind of speech, though a year ago it might have answered very well, is +out of place now. He should have been more prudent, rather more vague +in his expressions, so as to have left open a way of retreat in case +of"----</p> + +<p class="normal">"The deuce take your prudence and your hesitation!" interrupted the +chief-engineer hotly. "Excuse me for any rudeness, Herr Schäffer, but +it is quite evident that you have been accustomed to office life, and +have never had great masses of workmen under your command. He just hit +the right nail on the head. He awed them, and, in a case like this, +that is everything. They would have taken a kindly exhortation as a +proof of weakness, and a cold and distant address for pride. You must +put it to them in their own language, 'make your choice between this +and that,' and our principal knows right well how to do it. You could +see that by Hartmann."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I only fear that, with it all, he under-estimates the struggle before +us," said the Director gravely: "If our people were alone, they would +declare themselves satisfied with the concessions made to them, but, +with a leader like Hartmann, it will be different. He will admit of no +sort of arrangement, and they all follow him blindfold. But our +principal is right. He has gone as far as he possibly can. To overstep +these limits would be to deliver himself, his position, and all of us, +up into their hands."</p> + +<p class="normal">They began to speak now of "our principal," as if it were a thing of +course. In one hour Arthur had won the title for himself; it seemed now +the only proper designation for him. He must indeed have shown himself +well fitted to rule.</p> + +<p class="normal">The three delegates had left the house, and walked away in the +direction of the works. Ulric spoke no word, but Lawrence said in a low +voice:</p> + +<p class="normal">"You were saying a little while ago that if some one knew when to show +his teeth, and when to give them good words, then .... Well, Ulric, I +think there is some one up there that does know."</p> + +<p class="normal">Ulric did not answer. He cast a look up at the windows, and a +thunder-cloud gathered on his brow.</p> + +<p class="normal">"So all that lay hidden behind those sleepy eyes of his, which looked +fit for nothing in the world but napping," he murmured between his +tightly set teeth. "'So long as I stand here, I am master of these +works!' I really believe the man has the making of it in him."</p> + +<p class="normal">They here met a group of miners, special partisans of Ulric, who had +not made the descent into the mine with the others, and who now pressed +round the three ambassadors with much noisy questioning.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ulric will tell you all about it," said Lawrence, drily. "I think we +have gone to the wrong man. He does not mean to give way."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not?"</p> + +<p class="normal">All the miners looked disappointed. They had evidently reckoned on +another answer. Some angry exclamations and menaces against the young +proprietor were heard, and his name was several times mentioned in +terms of undisguised contempt.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hold your tongues, lads!" called out Ulric imperiously. "You don't +know the man we have just seen. I thought we should have had easy work, +now that the father is out of the way. We have all been mistaken in the +son. He has got something no one would have looked for in such a +milksop; he has got a will of his own. I tell you, he will give us some +trouble yet."</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XV.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">It was quite early morning. Mountains and woods were sparkling in the +dewy freshness of the young spring day, and the air was full of balmy +odours, as Eugénie Berkow rode alone and unattended along the forest +path. She was an excellent horsewoman and passionately fond of riding, +yet here in the country she had indulged in it much less frequently +than had been her wont.</p> + +<p class="normal">At first the weather had not permitted of any long excursions, later on +she had lacked all inclination for it; but the chief reason, no doubt, +was that her beautiful mare had been a present from her husband in the +days of his courtship, and that her dislike to the donor was habitually +transferred to everything that came directly from him. On her wedding +day it had cost her a struggle to put on the costly diamonds which had +been his bridal gift, and, since that day, they had never been taken +from their cases.</p> + +<p class="normal">In the midst of the luxury and splendour which had surrounded her since +her marriage, she had moved as one constrained and ill at ease. Even +the beautiful creature, which had cost a fabulous sum, and had excited +the admiration of the whole city when Eugénie appeared on it for the +first time, riding by her betrothed's side, was neglected by its +mistress in a remarkable manner, and altogether given over to the care +of the domestics.</p> + +<p class="normal">These latter were, therefore, not a little surprised when her ladyship +that morning ordered Afra to be saddled, and intimated to the servant +who was preparing to accompany her that she wished to ride alone. +Though her commands caused no little wonder, they were, of course, +obeyed, and she set out on her journey without any attendant.</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur, naturally, knew nothing of it. She saw him now more rarely than +ever, for he frequently excused himself from dining with her, and their +lives were so entirely separate, that it was a most unusual thing for +one to know what the other intended doing on such and such a day.</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie trotted quickly through the forest, without meeting a human +being. It was, indeed, most solitary up here in the woods, but the +freshness and beauty of the morning, the very solitude itself, had a +reviving effect upon the young wife, who for several days had not been +beyond the park-gates.</p> + +<p class="normal">The works lay idle; an unnatural calm brooded over the whole +settlement, contrasting with its usual restless activity, for now the +centre of action was transferred to the master's study, which the +latter but rarely left.</p> + +<p class="normal">The officials came and went, conferences were held, books and papers +were examined; Schäffer was continually on the road between the capital +and the estates; letters and despatches flew backwards and forwards; +but a shade of sombre gravity hung over all this zeal and busy +movement, as though some misfortune were looming in the distance, which +they were striving to avert or, at all events, preparing to meet.</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie knew, of course, that a disagreement existed with the +work-people; Arthur had told her so himself, and had added that the +matter was of no importance and would very soon be settled. He had +spoken very quietly and coolly, and had only begged her, if she went +out to drive, to avoid the miners' villages as much as possible, a +somewhat irritable spirit being abroad just now. The officials must +have received hints not to alarm her ladyship, for when Eugénie +endeavoured to learn from them something more definite, she was always +met by a polite evasive answer, or by some comforting assurance.</p> + +<p class="normal">They told her there was really nothing to be uneasy about, the +difficulty was not of a serious nature, and an arrangement might be +looked for any day. Yet Eugénie had a distinct perception of the danger +which was thus denied, and a perception as keen of the change which had +come over her husband since the elder Berkow's death, though his +behaviour to her was just the one point which remained unaltered.</p> + +<p class="normal">The young wife was of too fearless and too proud a nature not to feel +as a sort of offence the being thus shut out, and so obviously spared +all unpleasant knowledge. True, she had no right to exact a frank and +open statement, no right to share the anxieties and, perhaps, perils, +which might assail her husband. That privilege, to which other women +could assert a claim, lay immeasurably removed from her.</p> + +<p class="normal">When once the decisive word of separation has been spoken, when people +are only bearing with one another for a few months "for appearances' +sake," and in order to give the world as little matter for gossip as +possible, there can hardly be any interests in common. She understood +this, and, had she not understood it, Arthur's conduct would have made +her sensible of the fact. For, as he every day roused himself more and +more from his former indolence, and applied himself to the most +strenuous exertion, so in proportion did he become colder and more +distant in his manner to her. She was grateful to him, really, that by +thus treating her already as a perfect stranger, he should seek to +render the step they proposed taking easier and less painful to her.</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie did not conceal from herself that Berkow's death had cleared +away a great obstacle to the fulfilment of her wishes. He would hardly +have consented to the dissolution of a marriage for which he, in his +ambition, had so long striven, and which he had bought so dearly. His +son viewed the matter in another light. To him the marriage was as +indifferent as the wife, whom he, in his former easy passivity, had +suffered to be forced upon him.</p> + +<p class="normal">He had voluntarily offered her the separation before she had made any +attempt to obtain his consent to it, and the step, which almost +invariably costs so many a struggle, such tears and bitterness of +feeling, which, not unfrequently, rouses from their depths all the +passions of the human heart, would, in this case, be taken quietly and +temperately, with perfect mutual accord, and in so thoroughly cold, +polite and heartless a manner, it was really worthy of all admiration.</p> + +<p class="normal">All at once Afra reared high in the air. She was not accustomed to the +touch of the whip, much less to so very smart a cut as she had just +received. Her mistress's impatience tried her greatly this morning, and +if Eugénie had not been perfectly at home in the saddle, the fiery +excitable animal would have given her trouble enough. As it was, she +bridled in her horse with some little effort, but her delicate eyebrows +were knitted and her lips firmly set, as if in anger. Whether this +anger were aroused by Afra's opposition, or by the failure of +opposition in another quarter, must remain undecided.</p> + +<p class="normal">Meanwhile she had reached the farm, distant a mile or two from the +works, and lying farther up the valley. Now she must begin to climb, +not indeed by the steep footpath by which she and Arthur had made their +descent, and which would have been impracticable on horseback, but by a +carriage-road leading not far from thence up, by long but easy +windings, to the not very elevated summit. Her horse, unused to +mountain-climbing, chafed at the exertion required, and on reaching the +top of the hill, she was obliged to halt to give it time to recover +itself.</p> + +<p class="normal">The veil of mist, which had hovered over the country when last she was +there, had vanished now, and the clear sunshine flowed down brightly +warm upon the earth, as though there had never been a time when the +rain and the wind had here striven for the mastery, and when the whole +landscape around had been shrouded in one grey shapeless mantle of fog.</p> + +<p class="normal">The valleys lay once more blue and vaporous in the cool morning shade, +and the mountains stood out in bolder relief by the contrast, their +countless crests rising one above the other, seeming to press each +other into the background; nothing but one great sea of forest, +stretching right away to the range of blue peaks in the horizon. The +dark pines had dressed themselves in a tender light green. Blossoms of +a thousand hues and forms bloomed, not only in the fruitful soil within +the woods, but in the rocky ground without, in every nook and cranny +where a reed could find room for itself or a tiny plant take root, and +the air was full of their sweet fragrance.</p> + +<p class="normal">Then the brooks ran foaming down into the valleys below, the springs +rippled gently, and overhead was spread a cloudless azure canopy of +sky. All around was so golden clear, so grand and free, it seemed as +though the newly awakened life of Nature must have power to heal every +wound, to break every fetter, as though here nothing could draw breath +that was not allied to freedom and to happiness.</p> + +<p class="normal">And yet Eugénie's look was strangely thoughtful. There was a tension of +pain in her face, as if for her there lay some secret torture in all +this surrounding beauty. She should have breathed freely now, +remembering the promised liberty which would be hers before the earth +had been greeted by another spring.</p> + +<p class="normal">Why could she feel no relief? Why, at this thought, did a sensation +nearly akin to pain dart through her soul? Was the memory of that +troubled hour still so potent within her, of that hour when, for the +first time, the word of separation had been spoken and accepted? She +longed so ardently for this separation, to be free to go back to her +own people; she suffered so cruelly from her chains, she felt as if she +could hardly bear them any longer; since their conversation up here it +had become impossible for her to bear them.</p> + +<p class="normal">Up to then she had been firm and steadfast in her self-sacrifice for +her father's sake, in her resignation to the lot forced upon her and in +her hatred to those who had so forced it, but, from that hour, all her +feelings seemed to have undergone a change. From that hour dated the +secret contest within her, the struggle against something which lay +obscure and unexpressed down in the farthest depths of her soul, and +which, she was determined, should never gain dominion over her.</p> + +<p class="normal">Yet it was this indefinite something that had driven her out this +morning and dragged her almost against her will up to this spot; it +alone was to blame for the fact that Baron Windeg's daughter had so far +lost sight of all etiquette as to leave behind the groom who always +attended her on her expeditions.</p> + +<p class="normal">She neither could nor would have any observant eyes upon her to-day, +and it was well that she had none, for, as she halted there alone upon +the heights, there came over her, in the midst of all this bright +spring sunshine, a sort of vague longing for the mysterious charm of +that hour when clouds and fog encircled her, when the pine crests +rustled above them and the storm raged in the ravines and valleys +below, when those great brown eyes, unveiling themselves for the first +time, awakened within her a dim intuitive consciousness that of the man +before her much, nay almost anything, might perhaps have been made, if +only--before his own father's hand had drawn him down into that vortex +where so many a life is wrecked--if only he could have loved and been +loved in return.</p> + +<p class="normal">And, with the remembrance of this, there welled up within her a feeling +which Eugénie Windeg had never known, which it was reserved for Arthur +Berkow's wife to experience, a sorrow far quieter, but also far deeper, +than any she had yet endured. She laid her hand over her eyes, as a +torrent of hot tears burst irrepressibly from them.</p> + +<p class="normal">"My lady!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie started, and, at the same moment, Afra, taking fright at the +sound of a strange voice, sprang violently to one side. In an instant a +powerful hand had seized her bridle, forcing the animal to be still. +Ulric Hartmann stood close by its side.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I did not know the horse was so easily scared, but I caught hold of +the bridle at once," said he apologetically, casting a look half +anxious, half admiring, at the young rider who had kept her seat so +steadily in spite of the surprise.</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie brushed her hand quickly across her face, trying to wipe away +all trace of tears, but it was too late, her fit of weeping must +already have been observed, and the thought of this drove a deep +crimson to her cheeks and lent a tone of vexation to her voice, as she +said quickly and rather imperiously:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Let go the reins. Afra is not accustomed to be held by strangers, and +it frightens her to feel their touch. You are bringing danger on me and +yourself too by standing so near."</p> + +<p class="normal">Ulric obeyed and stepped back. Eugénie passed her hand caressingly over +the animal's neck, and Afra, who had never ceased snorting and fretting +while she felt a strange hold on her rein, a hold too powerful, as she +at once knew, to be resisted, soon quieted down under the influence of +her mistress's petting.</p> + +<p class="normal">In the meantime Hartmann's gaze had never swerved from the young +horsewoman, and, in truth, few of her sex, when mounted, could show to +such advantage as she. The dark habit, the little hat and veil set +lightly on the rich plaits of her fair hair, and crowning becomingly +the beautiful face with its heightened colour, her easy and assured +bearing, quite unruffled by Afra's restlessness, all served her +admirably and brought the just proportions of her slender figure into +fullest evidence. As she sat her handsome horse there in the bright +full sunlight, she looked a perfect picture of graceful strength.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You were up here, Hartmann?" asked she, in the faint hope that he +might only just have reached the heights at the moment he had first +addressed her, and so not have seen her tears. "I did not notice you +before."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I was standing up there," he pointed to an opening in the forest which +had certainly not attracted her attention. "I saw you riding up and +stayed waiting for you."</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie, about to ride past him into the wood, stopped at these words +in surprise.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Waiting for me?" she repeated. "And why?" Ulric evaded a reply.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are alone, my lady, quite alone? you have not even a servant with +you as usual?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, you can see I am by myself." Ulric stepped up quickly, but more +cautiously this time, to the horse's side again.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then you must turn back at once. I will go with you, at all events +until we come in sight of the works."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But why all this?" asked Eugénie, more and more amazed at the proposal +and at the young miner's darkly knitted brows. "Is there any danger +here in the woods, or what else is there to be afraid of?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Ulric cast a scrutinising look at the road below, which could be seen +in most of its windings from the spot where they stood.</p> + +<p class="normal">"We have been up to the forges in the hills, I and some of my mates," +he said at last slowly. "I took the shorter cut because I wanted to get +back sooner, the others followed the high road. You might come upon +them, my lady, and I would rather be with you--any way."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am not timid," Eugénie declared firmly, "and I should suppose they +will hardly go so far as to insult me. I know there is a disagreement +with the miners on the works, but they tell me it is of no importance +and will soon be settled."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then they lie to you!" broke in Ulric roughly. "It is no trifling +matter, and it is not likely to be settled. Herr Berkow has declared +war upon us, or we upon him, it comes to the same thing; any way, we +are at war, and there will never be an end to it until one side or the +other is fairly worsted. I tell you so, my lady, and I ought to know."</p> + +<p class="normal">A slight pallor overspread the young wife's face as she heard this +confirmation of the fears which had so long haunted her; but his +arrogant tone and rough manner of disclosing facts offended her, and +she replied with some haughtiness:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, if that is the case, I cannot possibly accept the company, still +less the protection, of a man who so openly avows himself to be my +husband's enemy. I shall go on alone."</p> + +<p class="normal">She would have given her horse the rein, but Ulric started forward at +the movement, and, with a hasty imperious gesture, placed himself +before her, barring the road.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Stay, my lady, you must take me with you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I must?" Eugénie raised her head proudly. "What if I will not?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then .... I implore you to yield."</p> + +<p class="normal">Again there was the same abrupt transition from ruthless menace to +almost supplicating entreaty which had disarmed her once already. It +melted her anger now as she looked down on the young miner, dark and +wrathful, but yet gazing up at her in unmistakable anxiety.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I cannot accept your offer, Hartmann," said she gravely. "If your +comrades are stirred up to such a pitch of irritation that I cannot +meet them without being exposed to insult, I fear it has been your +doing alone, and a man who bears us so deadly a hatred" ...</p> + +<p class="normal">"Us!" interrupted Ulric impetuously. "I bear you no hatred, my lady, +and I'll take care <i>you</i> are not insulted. Not a man among them dares +say a word against you when I am by, and if he dared to do it once, he +would not a second time. Let me go with you!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie hesitated a few seconds, but her fearless nature and the +thought of his former hostile tone turned the scale against him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I will turn back and avoid the high road," said she quickly. "You must +stay here, Hartmann. Consideration for Herr Berkow requires it."</p> + +<p class="normal">At the sound of this name his long pent-up anger burst forth. His eyes +flashed, and a gleam of savage hatred darted like lightning from them.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Consideration for Herr Berkow!" he broke out, "for Herr Berkow, who +shows you such tender care, allowing you to ride out alone, when he +knows we have been up at the forges and must be about the woods now. +But the truth is, he never has given himself any concern about you. It +is all the same to him whether you are unhappy or not, and yet the +whole responsibility of it lies at his door."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hartmann, how dare you speak so!" exclaimed Eugénie, glowing with +anger and indignation, but she strove in vain to stop him. He went on +with ever-growing excitement.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No doubt, it is a great crime to have caught you crying, when you +thought there was not a soul about to notice it; but I am pretty sure +that you have shed tears enough, my lady, since you came here, only no +one has been by to see, as I was just now. I know who is to blame for +it, and I will make him" ...</p> + +<p class="normal">He stopped suddenly, for Eugénie had drawn herself up erect in her +saddle, and was looking at him with that air of crushing haughtiness +she could assume at times to keep others at a distance. The tone of her +voice was sharp and freezing; worse still, she spoke as a mistress +addressing an inferior, ordering him now imperiously.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Be silent, Hartmann. Say one word, one single word, more against my +husband, and I shall forget that you saved his life and mine, and +answer your outbreak as it deserves."</p> + +<p class="normal">She turned her horse's head quickly, and would have ridden past him; +but Ulric's giant form stood before her in the path, and he would not +yield a step. At that tone of command, which he then heard for the +first time from her lips, he had grown deadly pale, and the hate +burning in his eyes seemed now to include her also.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Out of my way!" commanded Eugénie still more imperatively than before. +"I will pass."</p> + +<p class="normal">But she was dealing with a man who cared little for orders given him, +and who was stung to fury at receiving one from her mouth. Instead of +obeying, he took one step forward, which brought him close up to her +side, and again, this time with a grasp of iron, seized the bridle, +paying no heed to the rearing horse or to its rider's danger.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You should not speak so to me," he said in a deep low voice. "Don't +urge on your horse," he continued desperately, as she was about to +touch Afra with her whip, in the hope of breaking free from him and +getting away. "You cannot ride me down; but, by Heaven, I will drag the +beast to the ground, as I did that day with the other two."</p> + +<p class="normal">The threat contained in his words was terrible enough, but there was a +still worse menace in his look. For the first time Eugénie saw turned +against herself that savage temper so feared by all, and she suddenly +awoke to a full sense of the danger of her position. Instantly, +however, with quick presence of mind, she caught at the only means +which could save her.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hartmann," said she reproachfully, but her voice had grown gentle and +almost soft, "not long ago, you offered me your protection, and now you +use threats towards me yourself. Yes indeed, I can see what there might +be to fear from your comrades, if you can behave so to me. I should not +have ridden out to the forest if I could have had the least suspicion +of it."</p> + +<p class="normal">The reproach and, still more, the voice, brought Ulric to his senses +again. His wild fury subsided, when he no longer heard that imperative +tone which had exasperated him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Up to this time I have never feared you," continued Eugénie softly, +"in spite of all the bad things they say of you. Do you wish to make me +fear you now? We are close to the edge, and it is very steep below. If +you go on irritating the mare in this way, if you attempt to carry out +your threat, there will be an accident. Will the man who once threw +himself under my horses' hoofs, that he might rescue a perfect +stranger, actually bring danger upon me now? Let me go, Hartmann."</p> + +<p class="normal">A quiver shot through Ulric. He looked down at the steep slope and saw +how very near it they were. Slowly he let go his hold on the bridle, +very slowly, as though yielding to some irresistible force, he stepped +to one side and let her pass.</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie looked back involuntarily. He was standing there silent and +still, his fiery eyes fixed on the ground; without a syllable of +response or of leave-taking he let her go on her way unhindered.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XVI.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie drew a deep breath of relief, as Afra's swift pace soon carried +her from that dangerous neighbourhood. Fearless as she was by nature, +she had trembled. Our heroine would have been no woman, if, after such +a scene, she had not known that which she had long suspected, namely, +that the man's behaviour to herself, so enigmatical and full of +contradictions, concealed some other and far more dangerous feeling +than hate.</p> + +<p class="normal">Once again he had yielded to her influence, but he had been on the very +point of bursting his bonds. She had a proof now that, when once the +barriers were broken down, he was no whit inferior in blind and raging +fury to that "untamed element of Nature" to which she had likened him.</p> + +<p class="normal">She had reached the valley, and, bearing in mind the warning she had +received, was about to turn out of the main road, when she heard the +sound of a horse's hoofs, and, looking round, saw that its rider was +galloping towards her at a speed which soon brought him to her side.</p> + +<p class="normal">"At last!" cried Arthur, out of breath and reining in his horse. "What +imprudence to ride out alone to-day of all days! But, to be sure, you +had no notion of the risk you ran."</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie looked at him in surprise, as, panting and glowing from his +hasty ride, he walked his horse by her side. He was not dressed for +riding, he wore neither spurs nor gloves. He must have mounted just as +he was, in his house-dress, and set out in her pursuit.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I only heard of your fancy half-an-hour ago," he continued, mastering +his excitement. "Frank and Anthony are looking for you in different +directions, I was the only one to find the right track. They told me at +the farm you had ridden by here a little while ago."</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie did not inquire as to the reason of all this uneasiness; she +knew it well enough, but the uneasiness itself surprised her a little. +He might simply have sent the servants out after her. No doubt, the +idea that his wife might be insulted by the miners would be very +distasteful to the proprietor of the works, and it was probably in his +character as master of the place that he had rushed after her himself.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have been up there," said she, pointing to the goal of her +expedition.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Up on the heights? Where we took refuge from the storm that day? You +have been up there?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie grew crimson. Once again she saw in his eyes that strange gleam +of light which had been absent from them for weeks, and then, why did +he question her so eagerly, so breathlessly? Had he not long ago +forgotten that hour, the remembrance of which still troubled her so +often?</p> + +<p class="normal">"I came upon the place accidentally," said she hurriedly, as though +trying to acquit herself of blame. Her plea succeeded, and was at once +followed by the desired result.</p> + +<p class="normal">The light vanished from his eyes, and his voice was cold and steady +again as he returned:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Accidentally? Ah, yes, I might have known that such a mountain +excursion as that would not form part of your plans. Afra always shows +so much dislike to climbing. But you might also accidentally have taken +the road to M----, and that was what I feared."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And what was there to be afraid of there?" asked Eugénie, looking +keenly at him, while together they left the broad high-road and entered +a path which led through the woods.</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur tried to evade her look.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Something unpleasant might have occurred there on this particular day. +Our miners have been up to the forges in the hills to try and stir up +resistance there also. Hartmann's fulminating speeches have made them +all red hot. I hear there were already disturbances up there yesterday, +and a band of men, returning in an excited state from the scene of such +disorders, may, unfortunately, be ready for anything. They must be on +their way back now."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I should have avoided the high road in any case," said Eugénie +quietly. "I had been warned already."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Warned! By whom?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"By Hartmann himself. I met him not a quarter of an hour ago up in the +forest."</p> + +<p class="normal">This time it was Arthur's horse which reared violently. Its rider had +startled it by a sudden twitch at the reins.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hartmann? And he dared to go near you--to address you, after all that +has happened during the last few days?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"He only did it to warn me, to offer me his escort and protection. I +declined both. I thought it was due to you and your position."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You thought it due to me," repeated Arthur in a cutting tone. "I am +immensely indebted to you for such consideration, and you did well +to take it into account; for, if you had allowed yourself to be +escorted by him--much as I try to avoid giving any pretext for an open +conflict--I should have had to make him feel that the author and chief +instigator of the whole revolt must keep himself at a distance from my +wife."</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie was silent. She knew him now well enough to be aware that, in +spite of his apparent coldness, he was greatly irritated; she +understood the close setting of the lips and the slight tremor of the +hand. Just so had he stood opposite her on the first evening of their +arrival, only now she knew better what lay concealed behind that calm +demeanour.</p> + +<p class="normal">They rode on in silence through the sunny woods, the horses' hoofs +falling noiselessly on the yielding moss. Here, as up yonder, the scent +and breath of spring were everywhere; here as there, was the clear +deep-blue sky, vaulting in the pine trees overhead, and here too the +secret sorrow at her heart, but keener now and far more poignant than +it had been up on the heights above.</p> + +<p class="normal">The horses walked side by side in the narrow path; as they went, the +heavy folds of Eugénie's habit brushed against the bushes, and her veil +went fluttering back over Arthur's shoulder. Brought into such close +neighbourhood as this, she could not fail to observe that her companion +was looking terribly pale, now that the exertion of his hasty ride was +over. True, he had never had the fresh, healthy colour of youth, but +this was quite a different pallor from that of the young dandy who +spent his evenings in heated salons and his nights in play, and then, +wearied out and satiated, would lie all day long on the sofa, with the +curtains closely drawn, because his weakened eyes could not endure the +sunlight.</p> + +<p class="normal">His present paleness came, no doubt, from the same source as the dark +lines of care upon his brow, and the grave, almost sombre, expression +of his face which formerly bore an expression of lazy indifference +only. To most men such a change would have been unfavourable, but to +Arthur Berkow it proved an infinite gain.</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie now saw plainly for the first time that her husband had claims +to be considered handsome. In earlier days she had not been willing to +see this. His languid air and evident want of interest in all around +him had outweighed for her those advantages which were now, all at +once, brought out into bold relief by the new and unaccustomed stamp of +energy imprinted on his countenance and entire bearing; an energy which +possibly may have been long latent within him, but which, like so many +other qualities had been repressed, and well-nigh crushed, by too early +and too satiating an experience of life and its enjoyments. Ah, yes! +the world lying perdu beneath was indeed rising from its depths at +last, roused by the sound of the approaching storm which alone ...!</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie felt something like bitterness at the thought that she herself +had had no share in this awakening, that hers was not the magic charm +which had loosed the spell. He had broken through it of his own +strength, and needed no help from a stranger's hand.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am sorry I had to spoil your ride," said Arthur, breaking the +silence at last, but addressing her in his usual tone of distant +politeness. "It is a glorious day."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am afraid you stand more in need of a ride in the open air than I." +The young wife's voice betrayed a perhaps unconscious anxiety. "You are +looking pale, Arthur."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am not used to work," said he with a kind of bitter pleasantry. +"That comes from being so effeminate. I cannot do what the people I +employ have to do every day of their lives."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It seems to me, rather, that you are doing too much, you are pushing +it to the very extreme," returned Eugénie, quickly. "All day long you +hardly leave your study, and, at night, I see the light burning there +until morning."</p> + +<p class="normal">A sudden flush passed over the young man's face.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And how long is it since you have favoured the windows of my room with +so much attention?" asked he with quiet sarcasm. "I did not suppose you +knew of their existence."</p> + +<p class="normal">She reddened a little now in her turn, but soon overcame her confusion, +and answered with firmness:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Since I have known that the danger you are so determined to make light +of is drawing nearer day by day. Why did you deceive me as to the +importance of this dispute and its possible consequences?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I did not wish to alarm you."</p> + +<p class="normal">She made an impatient gesture.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am no timid child to be so carefully spared, and if there is +anything threatening us"----</p> + +<p class="normal">"Us!" interrupted Arthur. "Excuse me, the danger threatens me alone. I +have never intended to treat you as a child; but I thought it my duty +not to importune the Baroness Windeg with matters which must be quite +indifferent to her, and which, before long, will be as completely +removed from her as the name she now bears."</p> + +<p class="normal">The tone of his reply was frigid in the extreme. It was her own tone, +one she had often enough adopted towards him, when she found it +necessary to remind him of her descent or of the compulsion to which +she had yielded in marrying; and now it was used as a lesson to +herself! Something like anger shot up into her dark eyes as she fixed +them on her husband.</p> + +<p class="normal">"So you decline giving me any information about your affairs for the +future?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, not if you wish for it."</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie struggled a moment with herself; at last she said,</p> + +<p class="normal">"You have refused your people's demands?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"All that it was possible for me to grant, and all that the people +themselves required, I have granted; but Hartmann's terms are so +extreme, they will not bear discussion. They would, of necessity, lead +to the complete destruction of all discipline, to a state of positive +anarchy, and they are in themselves a downright insult. He would hardly +have ventured to propose them, if he had not known all that is at stake +for me in this struggle."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And what is there at stake?" asked Eugénie, listening with breathless +attention. "Your fortune?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"More even, my existence as a mine-owner."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And you will not give way?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No."</p> + +<p class="normal">She looked up at her husband, at the man who, barely three months +before, could not endure a "scene" with her, because it affected his +"nerves," and who now quietly faced a struggle on which his whole +future depended. Was he really the same being? That "No" of his had an +iron clang about it; she felt that the most violent threats would +extract from him no other answer.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I fear Hartmann will go all lengths," she returned. "He hates you."</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur smiled contemptuously.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I know it, and the feeling is certainly mutual."</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie thought of the eyes which had flashed so wildly when she +pronounced her husband's name up there on the heights, and a sudden +terror took possession of her.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You must not under-estimate that man's hatred. He is terrible in his +passions as in his energy."</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur looked her steadily in the face, frowning as he did so.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Are you so well acquainted with him? You certainly always have had an +admiration for this hero in a blouse. A cheap sort of energy, his, +defiantly setting itself to work to bring about the impossible, and +preferring to drag hundreds down into misfortune rather than listen to +a word of reason. But even Hartmann may find a rampart against which +his obstinate will may spend its strength in vain. From me, at least, +he will obtain nothing, though I should have to fight on until I am +completely ruined."</p> + +<p class="normal">He reined in his horse all at once, and Eugénie instantly did the same. +The path through the woods was here intersected by a bend in the high +road, and there, drawn up just before them, they saw the very men they +had wished to avoid. A troop of miners had come to a halt at that spot +and appeared to be waiting for some one.</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur knitted his brows.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It seems we are not to be spared a meeting."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Shall we turn back?" asked Eugénie in a low voice.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is too late, they have seen us already. We cannot avoid them now; +to turn back would savour of flight. It is a pity we are on horseback, +that will irritate them still more, but we must show no weakness; we +must go on."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And yet you feared this encounter?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur looked at her astonished.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I? It was only you who were not to meet them. It cannot be helped now; +but, at all events, you are no longer alone. Keep Afra well in hand, +and stay close by me. Perhaps there will be no conflict, after all."</p> + +<p class="normal">These words were exchanged quickly and almost in a whisper as they +paused for one minute. Then they rode slowly forward and out into the +high road, where their approach had evidently been remarked.</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur was right. The circumstances of the meeting could hardly be +worse. The men were in a turbulent mood, embittered and excited by the +scenes which had taken place up at the forges. They were already +beginning to suffer from the consequences of their resistance, and now +they came face to face with the master who had refused to yield to +their demands. They saw him well mounted, riding by the side of his +high-born wife, and returning, as they supposed, from some excursion of +pleasure.</p> + +<p class="normal">It was a dangerous sight for men already battling with want. A +significant growl of discontent was heard, some muttered threats and +insulting words were spoken; but, as the two emerged from the forest on +to the main road, there was silence, the troop, as if by a preconcerted +movement, forming itself into a compact mass ready to bar the passage.</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur's lips showed that slight nervous quiver which, with him, was +the only outward mark of emotion, but his hand was perfectly steady as +he grasped Afra's bridle, so as, come what might, to keep her close at +his side.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Good day."</p> + +<p class="normal">The greeting was unanswered. Not a man of the whole troop responded to +it; on all sides hostile glances were showered upon the new-comers, and +the men standing nearest to them pressed round more closely.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Will you not let us through?" asked Arthur gravely. "The horses will +grow restive if you press round them so. Give way."</p> + +<p class="normal">In spite of the danger of their situation, a danger she thoroughly +understood, Eugénie looked up at her husband in wonder. It was the +first time she had ever heard this tone from his lips, very quiet, no +doubt, but nevertheless conveying all the authority of a master over +his subordinates.</p> + +<p class="normal">This behaviour on Arthur's part was certainly full of danger at such a +moment, but it would have been attended with complete success, if the +troop had remained without a leader; the men would have obeyed him. But +now all eyes were turned in one direction, as though awaiting from +thence alone the signal for compliance or resistance.</p> + +<p class="normal">Some little distance off stood Ulric Hartmann, who had just come down +from the heights, and whom they had probably expected to meet here. He +stood motionless, his arms folded, and his eyes fixed on Berkow and his +wife with an expression which boded them little good.</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur's looks had followed those of the men about him. He faced round +now.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hartmann, are you in charge to-day? It is for you to see, then, that a +way is made for us. We are waiting."</p> + +<p class="normal">If, in these words, there had been the slightest trace of command or of +entreaty, no matter which, it would have been as a spark falling into a +powder-magazine, and Ulric seemed really to be only waiting for some +such spark; but by thus recognising his authority and coolly calling on +him to keep order, as if it were a well-understood part of his duty, +Arthur took him by surprise, without, however, disarming him. He drew +near slowly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, so you want to ride on, Herr Berkow?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Certainly, you see we wish to pass through to the other side."</p> + +<p class="normal">A look of withering contempt crossed Ulric's features.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And you call on me to help you? You are master of your works and of +your men. Why do you not order them to make way? Or"--here his voice +took a hollow, threatening sound, "or, perhaps, you think that here <i>I</i> +am master, and that I need only say one word to prove it to you--to +prove it to you both!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie had grown very pale, and pressed her horse still closer to +Arthur's. She knew that the menace in those glittering eyes was not for +her, but it was not for herself she trembled. She had no courage now to +try and use that power before which Ulric had so lately bent; besides, +she felt the spell would not work while he beheld her at her husband's +side.</p> + +<p class="normal">"In case of assault, a hundred can always have the mastery over one," +said Arthur coldly, "but I suppose you hardly mean that, Hartmann. You +would feel no uneasiness yourself, would you, if you came, alone and +unexpectedly, into the midst of my officials? I consider myself as safe +here as in my own house."</p> + +<p class="normal">Ulric made no answer. He looked up with a scowl at the man before him, +who was facing him with such perfect composure and steadily scanning +his face with those clear brown eyes, just as on the day when the +strife had first broken out.</p> + +<p class="normal">On that occasion, however, he had stood in his own committee-room, +surrounded and protected by his agents; now he was alone in the midst +of an excited crowd, only awaiting the signal to proceed to insults, +possibly to deeds of violence, and yet not a muscle of his face +quivered; his bearing was as proud and assured, his look as fearless, +as though he felt and knew himself to be master even here.</p> + +<p class="normal">This quiet confidence of his did not fail to have its effect upon the +crowd, trained in the habit of obedience. The only question for the men +now was to know whom they should follow. They turned another inquiring +glance on Ulric, who stood by in silence. He looked up once more, then +aside at Eugénie's white face. Suddenly he stepped back.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Make way, let the horses through! To the left, face about!"</p> + +<p class="normal">The order was executed with a celerity which showed it was not +unwelcome. In less than a minute a broad path was opened, and Berkow +and his wife rode through unhindered. They turned from the high-road +into the forest again, and soon disappeared among the trees.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I say, Ulric," Lawrence went up to his friend with a sort of +good-natured remonstrance, "you flew at me just now because I preached +peace up at the forges. What have you been doing here, yourself?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The other was still gazing over at the trees. Now that the young +proprietor's personal influence was no longer felt, he seemed to repent +him of his fit of generosity.</p> + +<p class="normal">"'A hundred to one,'" he murmured bitterly, "and 'I am safe among you.' +Yes! they are never wanting in fine speeches when there is anything +that frightens them, and such as we are always ready to catch at the +old bait."</p> + +<p class="normal">"He did not look as if he were frightened," said Lawrence decidedly. +"He is certainly not at all like his father. Ulric, we ought" ...</p> + +<p class="normal">"What ought we to do?" interrupted Ulric hastily. "To give way, don't +you mean? So that you may have peace and quiet again, and that he may +go on worse than his father ever did, when he sees he can succeed in +everything. If I let him go to-day, I did it because he was not alone, +because his wife was with him, and because" ...</p> + +<p class="normal">He broke off suddenly. The proud self-contained man would rather have +bitten out his tongue than have confessed to his comrade what influence +had really compelled him to forbear.</p> + +<p class="normal">Meanwhile, Arthur and Eugénie had ridden on in silence. Perhaps the +common danger they had just passed through had linked them more closely +together, for their horses went on side by side, and Arthur still held +Afra's rein, though the widening path would now have afforded them room +enough, though there was nothing more to fear, and all further care of +so consummate a horsewoman was plainly superfluous.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you understand the danger of to-day's excursion now?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, and also the danger of your situation."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I must bear it. You see yourself what blind obedience Hartmann can +command. One word from him, and they let us ride on; not a man ventured +to murmur, yet they were only waiting a sign from him to turn against +us."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But he did not give the sign," said Eugénie emphatically.</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur turned the same strange, searching gaze upon her.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, not to-day. He knows best what held him back, but it may happen +to-morrow, or the next day, or whenever we meet. I am quite prepared +for it."</p> + +<p class="normal">Leaving the wood now, they set their horses into a trot and arrived a +quarter of an hour later at the terrace before the château. Arthur +swung himself from his saddle--with what elasticity compared with his +former languid movements! He offered his hand to help his wife +dismount. Her face was still deadly pale, and she trembled a little as +he placed his arm round her, trembled still more as it held her firmly +a second longer than was usual on such occasions.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Were you frightened?" he asked softly, as he took her arm to lead her +into the house.</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie gave no answer. Yes, she had been a prey to mortal terror all +through that scene, but she would rather he should think her a coward +than let him guess it was for his sake she had felt alarm. A suspicion +of this seemed, however, to dawn upon him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Were you frightened, Eugénie?" he asked again in soft, low tones, +pressing her arm more and more firmly to his breast. She raised her +eyes to his, and, once more, saw that bright illumining, more radiant +now and more significant than she had ever seen it yet. He bent down to +her, as if to lose no syllable of her reply.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Arthur, I----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Baron Windeg and his eldest son arrived half-an-hour ago," announced a +servant, hastening forward, and the words were hardly spoken when the +young Baron, who had probably been watching for them from the window, +rushed down the stairs with all the ardour of his eighteen years, eager +to greet his sister whom he had not seen since her marriage.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah, Con, is it you?"</p> + +<p class="normal">She felt something like a pang at this arrival of father and brother, +an arrival for which she had before so earnestly longed.</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur had let her hand fall as the name of Windeg was mentioned. She +saw the glacial expression which stole over his features, and heard the +freezing tone of his voice as he greeted his young brother-in-law with +distant politeness.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Will you not come up with me?" she asked, seeing that he remained +standing at the foot of the staircase.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Excuse me if I ask you to receive your father alone. I had ... +forgotten something which has just been recalled to my memory. I will +wait on the Baron as soon as I possibly can."</p> + +<p class="normal">He stepped back while Eugénie and her brother went up the stairs by +themselves. The latter seemed rather surprised, but a glance at his +sister's pale face made him suppress the question which was on his +lips. He knew pretty well, he thought, how matters stood here. Perhaps +during their ride that parvenu had taken occasion to inflict some fresh +mortification on his wife. The young fellow cast a threatening look +below, and turned to his sister with impetuous tenderness.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Eugénie, I am so happy to see you again, and you"----</p> + +<p class="normal">She forced herself to smile.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And I too am happy, infinitely happy!"</p> + +<p class="normal">She looked down into the vestibule again. It was empty. Arthur must +already have left it.</p> + +<p class="normal">She drew herself up with a movement of wounded pride.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Let us go to my father. He is waiting for us."</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XVII.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">Among the dwellers on the Berkow estates there was probably only one +person who viewed the strife, which had so violently broken out between +master and men, in any but its most alarming aspect. This person was +Herr Wilberg. In that official's foolish young head there lurked so +much vague exaggerated romance that he could not help thinking it all +highly interesting. His fancy was taken by this situation so fraught +with peril, by the knowledge that the low ferment of discontent +reigning all around might at any moment explode and bring about a +catastrophe.</p> + +<p class="normal">The admiration he had felt for Hartmann had been promptly transferred +to the new proprietor, when the latter had placed himself at the head +of affairs, grasping the helm with a vigour which no one expected from +so weak and effeminate a hand. But in Arthur's strenuous efforts to +make himself thoroughly at home in the new field of labour and to stem +the torrent of dangers and losses pouring in upon him on all sides, the +superior officials alone were called on to aid by their sympathy and +support. The younger members of the establishment enjoyed an +involuntary leisure in consequence of the general lull, and Herr +Wilberg employed his idle hours in plunging deep into his so-called +passion for his liege lady, and by doing his very best to feel as +unhappy in it as possible.</p> + +<p class="normal">To tell the truth, this last was somewhat difficult, for he was, in +reality, quite in his element and extremely proud of this hopeless +attachment. His idea was that love, to be poetical, must of necessity +be unfortunate, and a happy affection would have been really +embarrassing to him. This adoration from afar suited him perfectly, and +he found ample opportunity of indulging in it, for he now seldom or +ever saw the object of his idolatry.</p> + +<p class="normal">Since the day on which he had accompanied Eugénie through the park, he +had only spoken to her once. Accidentally meeting him one day, she had +tried to learn from him something more definite about the strike then +just breaking out. Strict orders had, however, been issued by Herr +Berkow to the effect that his wife was in no way to be alarmed, and +Wilberg obeyed them so far as to avoid all reference to the actually +existing state of affairs; on the other hand, he could not resist +giving a faithful description of the scene which had taken place in the +committee-room between her husband and Hartmann.</p> + +<p class="normal">Coming from his lips, the whole history naturally took a dramatic +colour, and Arthur, in his suddenly awakened energy, rose to such a +pitch of heroism, it was really incomprehensible how such a story could +have entirely failed in its effect.</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie had listened, it is true, with evident and eager attention, but +she was pale and unusually still while listening; and, when he came to +the end, the narrator waited in vain for a word of remark from her +lips. She thanked and then dismissed him with cool politeness, and the +young man left her, feeling rather surprised and a good deal hurt at +such a want of sympathy on her part.</p> + +<p class="normal">So she too had no perception of the poetical, or perhaps the situation +had appeared less imposing to her, from the fact that her husband had +been the hero of the hour. Another would very likely have triumphed in +this thought, but Wilberg's romantic fancies generally distinguished +themselves by the complete reversal of all natural sentiments.</p> + +<p class="normal">He felt injured that his recital had produced no greater effect. When +in Eugénie's company, he was apt to feel something of that glacier-like +atmosphere which, according to the chief-engineer, constantly +surrounded her. She was so high, so distant, so unapproachable, and +never more so than when she condescended to some act of kindness.</p> + +<p class="normal">In presence of such condescension, no choice was left a man but either +to bow down in absolute adoration, or for ever to bear about with him +the sense of utter insignificance and nothingness. As the latter +alternative could not possibly suit Herr Wilberg, he was fain to choose +the former.</p> + +<p class="normal">Buried in such thoughts as these, he had strolled on in the direction +of the Manager's house; it being his habit to look neither to the right +nor to the left, he came, as he stepped on to the bridge, into violent +collision with a lady who was crossing from the other side. Startled at +the sudden shock, she gave a little cry and sprang for safety to one +side. Wilberg looked up now, and stammered an excuse.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I beg your pardon, Fräulein Mélanie, I did not see you. I was so taken +up with my thoughts, I paid no heed to where I was going."</p> + +<p class="normal">Fräulein Mélanie was the daughter of the chief-engineer, at whose house +the young clerk occasionally visited; but his ideas had confessedly +taken so high a flight that he had bestowed but small notice on the +girl of sixteen who, with the exception of a graceful figure, a sweet +young face, and a pair of roguish eyes, had nothing in the least +romantic to recommend her.</p> + +<p class="normal">She was far from his poetical standard, and the young lady, for her +part, had up to this time troubled herself very little about the +fair-haired Herr Wilberg; she had even thought him rather tiresome. But +now he evidently considered it his duty to make reparation for his +involuntary rudeness by addressing to her some polite speeches.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are coming back from a walk, Fräulein Mélanie? Have you been far?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh no, not far. Papa has forbidden me to take long walks, and he does +not much like my coming out alone. Tell me, Herr Wilberg, is all this +about our miners really so dangerous?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Dangerous? How do you mean?" said Wilberg diplomatically.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, I don't know, but papa is so grave sometimes, it makes me feel +quite nervous and frightened. He has talked too of sending mamma and me +into town on a visit."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young man's face assumed an expression of deep melancholy.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The times are full of grave earnest," he said, "of terrible earnest! I +cannot blame your father for wishing to place his wife and child in +safety. We must stand and fight to the last man!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"To the last man?" cried the girl, horrified. "Good Heavens, my poor +papa!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, I only meant that in a figurative sense," said Wilberg +soothingly. "There is no question of personal danger; and even if it +should come to that, your father's years and his duties as head of a +family would exclude him from all perilous service. In that case, we +young ones should step into the breach."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Would you?" asked Mélanie, looking at him rather distrustfully.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Certainly, Fräulein Mélanie, I should be the very first."</p> + +<p class="normal">With a view to giving greater emphasis to this declaration, Herr +Wilberg was about to lay his hand solemnly on his breast, when all at +once, he jumped back and hurried as fast as possible over to the other +side, Mélanie following him with equal speed. Close behind them stood +Hartmann's gigantic form. He had come over the bridge unnoticed, and +smiled now a contemptuous little smile as he saw the evident emotion of +the young people.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You need not be afraid, Herr Wilberg," said he quietly. "I am not +going to hurt you."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young clerk seemed to feel the absurdity of his sudden retreat, and +to perceive also that, as the companion and protector of a young lady, +he was bound to adopt a different line of conduct. He summoned up all +his courage and, placing himself before the no less intimidated +Mélanie, answered with some show of firmness,</p> + +<p class="normal">"I hardly suppose, Hartmann, that you mean to attack us in the open +street."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is what you gentlemen seem to expect," said Ulric derisively. +"You run away, all of you directly I show myself, just as if I were a +highwayman. Herr Berkow does not, he is the only one," the miner went +on speaking with a growl now as he uttered the hated name. "He holds +his ground, no matter if I have the whole gang at my back."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Herr Berkow and her ladyship are just the only two who do not suspect" +... began Wilberg imprudently.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Who do not suspect what?" asked Ulric, turning a dark look on him.</p> + +<p class="normal">Whether the young official were exasperated by the derision with which +he and his colleagues had been treated, or whether he considered it +necessary to play the hero for Mélanie's benefit, is uncertain; suffice +it to say that he yielded to one of those fits of passion which not +seldom carry timid natures into extremes.</p> + +<p class="normal">"We do not run away from you, Hartmann, because you are stirring up the +people to rebellion and making it impossible to come to an +understanding with them. It is not on that account we get out of your +way, but because,"--here he lowered his voice so that the girl could +not overhear his words--"because the ropes broke that day when you went +below with Herr Berkow--if you must know the reason why every one +avoids you."</p> + +<p class="normal">They were very thoughtless, very rash words, particularly to be spoken +by a man like Wilberg, but he little dreamed of the effect they would +produce. Ulric started, uttered a half-suppressed cry of rage which was +full of menace, then grew ashy pale, and letting fall his clenched +fist, caught convulsively at the iron railings of the bridge. He stood +there with heaving breast and teeth tightly ground together, gazing +down at the two before him in speechless fury.</p> + +<p class="normal">This proved too hard a trial for the young folks' courage. Neither knew +which ran away first, dragging the other with him or her; but they both +made off with all possible speed, and only slackened their pace when +they had put several houses between them and the object of their fear, +and convinced themselves that they were not followed.</p> + +<p class="normal">"For Heaven's sake, what did it mean, Herr Wilberg?" asked Mélanie +anxiously. "What did you say to that dreadful creature Hartmann, that +made him start like that? How rash of you to provoke him!"</p> + +<p class="normal">The young man smiled, though his lips were still colourless. It was the +first time in his life he had ever been accused of rashness, and he was +conscious that the reproach was merited. Now only did he clearly see +the full measure of the risk he had run.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Offended pride!" he gasped. "The duty of protecting you, Fräulein! You +see he dared not attack us after all."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, we got away in time," returned Mélanie naïvely, "and it was a good +thing we did, for our lives would have been in danger if we had +stayed."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It was only on your account I ran," said Wilberg, feeling a little +hurt. "I should have held my ground if I had been alone, even at the +risk of my life."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That would have been very sad though," remarked the girl. "You who +write such beautiful poetry!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Wilberg blushed with agreeable surprise.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you know my poems? I did not think in your house ... Your father +has rather a prejudice against my lyrical tendency."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Papa was talking to the Director about it a little while ago," said +Mélanie, and then suddenly came to a full stop. She could not tell the +poet that her father had read aloud to his colleagues those verses, +which to her sixteen-year-old imagination had seemed so touching, +adding many a biting jest and malicious comment as he read, and finally +throwing down the paper with the words:</p> + +<p class="normal">"And the fellow can spend his time now on such rubbish as that!"</p> + +<p class="normal">At the moment she had thought it rather cruel and unjust to the young +man. He no longer seemed tiresome to her, now that she knew he had been +crossed in love, as clearly as appeared from his verses. That explained +and excused all the peculiarities of his behaviour. She hastened to +assure him that, for her part, she thought his verses lovely, and in +shy but fervent sympathy, tried to console him somewhat for his +supposed misfortune.</p> + +<p class="normal">Herr Wilberg suffered himself to be comforted. He found it +indescribably refreshing to meet at last with a being who could +understand him, and still more refreshing to feel himself +compassionated by the said being. It was quite a misfortune that they +had by this time reached the chief-engineer's house, and that the +master of it, in his august person, stood at the window, watching them +with surprised and rather critical looks. Wilberg had no wish to expose +himself to his superior's jokes, which, he knew, would be inevitable, +should it occur to Mélanie to relate their meeting with Hartmann and +their common flight. He took leave of the young lady therefore, and +Fräulein Mélanie ran up the steps, racking her brains to try and find +out who the object of this interesting and unfortunate attachment could +be.</p> + +<p class="normal">Old Manager Hartmann sat at home in his cottage, leaning his head on +his hand; not far from him, at the window, stood Lawrence and Martha. +As Ulric suddenly opened the door, the three broke off their +conversation so abruptly, that the new-comer might easily have guessed +they had been talking of him. He did not notice it, however, but closed +the door, flung his hat on the table and threw himself without a word +of greeting into the great arm-chair by the fireside.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Good day," said the Manager, turning slowly round to him. "Don't you +think it worth your while now to say a civil word when you come in? I +should have thought you might have kept that up, at least."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Don't worry me, father," exclaimed his son impatiently, throwing back +his head and pressing his hand to his forehead.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Manager shrugged his shoulders and turned away. Martha left her +place by the window and sat down by her uncle, taking up the work she +had laid aside while talking with Lawrence. For some minutes there was +an oppressive silence in the room, then the younger man went up to his +friend.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Deputy Wilms has been here to speak to you, Ulric. He will come back +in an hour. He has been making the round of all the neighbouring +works."</p> + +<p class="normal">Ulric passed his hand over his brow, as though to chase away some +tormenting dream.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, and how goes it?" he asked, but in a listless mechanical way; he +seemed hardly to know what the other was speaking of.</p> + +<p class="normal">"They are going to join us. Our example appears to have given them +courage, for the game is beginning everywhere now. The forges will +strike first, and the other works will follow suit, unless all they ask +is granted to them at once. That is out of the question, so in a week +all the miners and works in the district will be empty."</p> + +<p class="normal">"At last!" Ulric started up, as though electrified; all his dreamy +listlessness and lack of interest had vanished. The man had regained +his old elasticity. "At last!" he repeated, heaving a deep sigh of +relief. "It was time; they have left us alone long enough!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Because we began alone in the first instance."</p> + +<p class="normal">"May be so, but we could not wait. Things were not on the same footing +here as on the other works. Each day's labour brought the Berkows a +step forward and took us a step back. Has Wilms gone over to the +villages? He ought to let the others know at once, it will raise their +spirits."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not before they want it," said the Manager quietly. "Their courage +seems to be on the wane. For the last fortnight not a stroke of the +hammer has been heard. You are waiting and waiting, fancying that you +will be asked to come back, or that, at least, some attempt at a +bargain will be made up yonder, and yet they make no sign. The +officials avoid you, and the master does not look as if he meant to +give way an inch. I tell you, Ulric, it is high time you should find +assistance somewhere."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Nonsense, father," cried the young man. "We have hardly been off work +a fortnight, and I told them beforehand, they might make up their minds +to be idle a couple of months, if we meant to conquer, and conquer we +must."</p> + +<p class="normal">The old man shook his head.</p> + +<p class="normal">"A couple of months! You and I and Lawrence, may hold out that long, +but not those who have a wife and children to keep."</p> + +<p class="normal">"They must," said Ulric coldly. "I did think, certainly, we should have +managed it faster and with less trouble. I was mistaken in that. But, +if they are determined up yonder to drive us to an extremity, we will +let them have a thorough good taste of what it means."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Or they us," put in Lawrence. "If the master really"----</p> + +<p class="normal">Ulric gave an angry stamp with his foot.</p> + +<p class="normal">"'The master,' always 'the master!' Can't you find another name for +this Berkow? You used not to call him so, but ever since he has told +you to your faces that he is, and will be, the first person here, you +have not an opinion of your own about it. I tell you, if we go through +with the thing, we shall be masters, he will only have the name then, +and we shall have the power. He knows it very well; that is why he +resists so strongly, and that is why we must persevere until he grants +us all we ask. We must go on at any cost."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Try it," said the Manager briefly. "See if you can turn the world +topsy-turvy all by yourself. I have given up talking about it this long +while."</p> + +<p class="normal">Lawrence took his cap from the window-sill, and prepared to go.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You must know best, if we are likely to succeed or not. You are our +leader."</p> + +<p class="normal">Ulric's face grew dark.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, I am, but I thought it would have been easier to keep you in +hand. You make the work hard enough for me."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young miner exclaimed indignantly,</p> + +<p class="normal">"We! you can hardly complain of us. Every word you say is obeyed +instantly."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Obeyed!" And Ulric turned a dark and searching gaze upon his friend. +"Yes, obedience is not wanting, and it is not that I am complaining of. +But we are not as we used to be. Even you and I, Karl, are not as we +used to be together. You are all of you so distant now, so cold and +shy; it seems to me often as if you were all afraid of me, and--and +that's all."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, no, Ulric!" Lawrence resented the reproach vehemently, it almost +appeared as if the other had hit the right mark. "We have perfect trust +in you, and you alone. No matter what you may have done, you did it for +us, not for yourself. We know that, all of us, we none of us forget +that."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No matter what you may have done, you did it for us!" The words +sounded harmless enough and may have contained no hidden meaning, but +Ulric seemed to detect one in them, for he looked hard at the speaker. +Lawrence avoided his gaze, keeping his eyes fixed on the ground.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I must go," he said hastily. "I will send Wilms over to you. You will +stay here, so that he will be sure to find you?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Ulric made no answer. The flow of emotion of the last few minutes had +subsided, and his face was pale again as at his entrance. He nodded +affirmatively, and turned to the window.</p> + +<p class="normal">The young miner took leave of the Manager and left the room, Martha +rose and went out with him. During the whole of the foregoing +conversation she had spoken no word, but had observed the two men +attentively. She stayed rather long outside, but that could excite no +wonder. Her uncle and cousin knew well enough that a newly-engaged pair +have much to whisper to one another, and they seemed, indeed, to +trouble themselves not at all about it.</p> + +<p class="normal">The father and son remained alone together, and the silence now +intervening was even more painful than that which had ensued on Ulric's +entrance. He stood at the window now, leaning his forehead against the +panes, and staring out without seeing anything before him.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Manager still sat at the table resting his head on his hands; his +sorrowful, care-worn face plainly showed the ravages which the last few +weeks had made. The lines graven on it by old age were furrowed more +deeply now, and his eye had grown dim. All the old animation and +pugnacious vigour, with which he had been wont formerly to administer +many a sermon to his son, had vanished; he sat there, quiet and +depressed, making no attempt to renew the conversation.</p> + +<p class="normal">At last the silence became intolerable to Ulric. He turned round +hastily.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And you say nothing to the news which Wilms has brought us? Is it +really all the same to you whether we succeed, or whether we are +beaten?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The old man raised his head slowly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is not all the same to me, but I can't take delight in your threats +and your violence. Best wait and see who is most hurt by them, the +gentlemen or ourselves. You do not care much about that, you have got +your own way. It is for you to command now throughout the works. Every +one appeals to you, every one bows down before you, obeys your +slightest word. That was what you wanted from the first, what the whole +business was set on foot for."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Father!" cried the young man.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Let be--let be," said the Manager, interrupting him. "You will not +confess it to me, and perhaps not to yourself, but it is so. You took +them all along with you, and me with the rest, for of what use to hold +back alone? Take care where you lead us. The responsibility is yours."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Did I begin the thing alone?" broke out Ulric vehemently. "Was it not +decided unanimously that there must be a change, and have we not given +our word to stand together until the change is made?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"In case your demands were not granted--yes. But everything has been +granted, or as good as everything, for what has been refused has really +nothing to do with the demands of our people. You were the one to bring +in all that, Ulric, and it is you alone who hold them to it. If it were +not for you, they would have been at work long ago, and we should have +peace and quiet on the works again."</p> + +<p class="normal">Ulric threw back his head defiantly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, yes, I did start it, and I take no shame to myself that I can +see farther, and provide for the future, better than the rest. If it +will satisfy them that the old poverty should be made a little more +bearable, and their miserable lives a little safer in the mines, it +will not satisfy me, or any man of spirit among us. We ask for much, +that is true, we ask for nearly everything, and if Berkow were the +millionaire the world takes him for, he would never dream of giving +himself into our hands. But he is that no longer, and his whole weal or +woe depends upon whether these hands of ours are busy for him now or +not. You don't know the state of things up there in the bureaus, and +the reports which are read at the meetings, father, but I do, and I +tell you, struggle against it as he may, he will have to yield when he +is attacked on all sides at once."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And I tell you he will not!" declared the Manager. "He will close the +works first. I know Arthur well; he was like that as a child, quite +different from you. You stormed at everything, and were always for +using force, if your work, or your play-fellows, or even your garden +hedge, did not please you. He never set about anything willingly, and +sometimes it would be a long time before he made up his mind to it; +but, when once he began, he would never leave off until he had mastered +the thing, whatever it might be. He is roused now, and he means to show +you the stuff he is made of. He holds the reins, and no one will be +able to drag them out of his hands; there is something of your own +obstinacy in him. Think of what I say, when some day he makes you feel +it."</p> + +<p class="normal">Ulric stood gloomy and silent. He did not contradict in his usual +vehement way, but the fact that contradiction was impossible stirred up +a feeling of wrathful resentment within him. Perhaps he had already +felt something of his adversary's mettle.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And however the thing may turn out," continued his father, "do you +suppose that you can stay on here as Deputy, that they will suffer you +to remain on the works, after what has happened?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The young man laughed scornfully.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, certainly not, if it depends upon the gentlemen up yonder. They +will never take me into favour again, that is very sure. But there will +be no question of favour. We shall dictate our terms to them, and the +first condition made by all the men unanimously will be that I am to +remain."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Are you so certain of that?</p> + +<p class="normal">"Father, don't insult my mates," exclaimed Ulric. "They would never +desert me."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not if the first condition up yonder is that you should go? The master +will insist on that, depend upon it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Never; he will never obtain that from them. They know all of them that +I have not done it for my own sake. I was not badly off, I have no need +to starve, I can earn my bread anywhere. It was their misery I wanted +to lessen. Don't talk to me, of it, father. They give me trouble enough +often, but when things come to be serious, I shall pull through; there +is not one of them who will desert me then. Wherever I lead they will +follow, and where I stand they will stand by me, yes, that they will, +to the very death!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"They would have some time ago, they won't now." The old man had risen, +and only as he turned to the broad daylight could it be fully seen how +careworn his features were, and how bowed the figure which, but lately, +had been so strong and vigorous.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You said to Lawrence yourself that things are not as they used to be," +he went on in a very low voice, "and you know well the day and hour +when the change came about. I hardly need tell you so now, Ulric, but +that day cost me the bit of peace and rest I had hoped for in my old +age. It is all over with that now, for ever!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Father!" cried the young man again. The Manager stopped him with a +hasty gesture. "Let it be as it is. I know nothing of what happened, I +will know nothing of it, for, if I had to listen to the story in so +many words, then all would be up with me indeed. The mere thought is +enough; it alone has almost driven me out of my senses."</p> + +<p class="normal">Ulric's eyes flashed angrily again, as when his friend had made that +allusion a short time before.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And if I were to tell you, father, that the ropes gave way, if I were +to tell you that my hand had never been near them"----</p> + +<p class="normal">"Tell me nothing rather," broke in the old man bitterly. "I should not +believe you, and the others would not believe you either. You were +always savage and prone to use violence. You would have felled your +best friend to the ground in your wrath. Try it, go among your mates +and say to them: 'It was nothing but an accident.' There is not one of +them who will believe you!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not one?" repeated Ulric, hoarsely. "And you doubt me too, father?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The Manager fixed his dimmed eyes on his son.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Can you look me in the face and declare that you were in no way to +blame for the accident, in no way? that you"----he did not finish the +question, for Ulric had not been able to bear his gaze. The eyes, which +a minute before had flashed with anger, now sought the ground, a sharp +quiver passed over him, he turned away and--was silent.</p> + +<p class="normal">A great stillness fell upon the room. Nothing was heard but the old +man's heavy breathing. His hand trembled, as he passed it across his +brow, and his voice trembled still more, when at last he spoke in a low +tone.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your hand was not near? Whether it were your hand precisely, or +however it may have come about, they are all of opinion, thank God, +that inquiries are useless, and that nothing can be proved, at all +events in a court of justice. Settle it with yourself, Ulric, as to +what befell down below, but don't bully your mates any more. You were +quite right. They have been afraid of you since then, and nothing else. +See how long you can manage them with fear alone."</p> + +<p class="normal">So saying he went out. Ulric made a rapid movement as though about to +rush after him, but stopped suddenly, striking his forehead with his +clenched fist, while a sound like a suppressed groan escaped his +breast.</p> + +<p class="normal">Ten minutes may have passed before the door was again opened and Martha +came in. Her uncle was gone, and Ulric lay back in the arm-chair, his +head buried in his hands. That did not appear to surprise her much; she +cast one glance at him, then went up to the table and began to put +together her work. Ulric had raised himself as she approached. He stood +up now slowly and went over to her. In general, he paid but little heed +to the girl's doings, and would still less trouble to speak to her of +what concerned herself. But now he did both these things.</p> + +<p class="normal">Perhaps a moment had come when even his reserved unbending nature +longed for a word, for a token of sympathy, at a time when all fled +from him, all avoided him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"So you and Lawrence have made it up?" he began. "I have not spoken to +you about it yet, Martha, I have had so many other things in my head of +late. Are you engaged?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes," was the short and not very encouraging answer.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And when is the wedding to be?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"There is time enough for that."</p> + +<p class="normal">Ulric looked down at the girl, who with quick-coming breath and +trembling fingers was busying herself with her work, without even +raising her eyes to him. A sort of reproachful feeling rose up in his +mind towards her.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You have done right, Martha," he said, in a low voice. "Karl is a good +fellow, and very fond of you, fonder, perhaps, than .... than others +might have been. Yet you sent him away again without an answer after +our last talk. When did you promise to marry him?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yesterday three weeks."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yesterday three weeks! Why, that was the day after the accident. So it +was then you promised?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, it was then. I could not do it before. It was only on that day I +felt as if I ever could be his wife."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Martha!"</p> + +<p class="normal">The man's voice swelled half in anger, half in pain. He would have laid +his hand on her arm, but she started back involuntarily. He let his +hand fall and moved away.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You too?" he said hoarsely. "Well, yes, I might have known it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, Ulric!" exclaimed the girl in wild despairing accents, "what have +you done to yourself, to us all!"</p> + +<p class="normal">He was still standing opposite her. His hand shook as it rested on the +table, but his face had grown stern and hard again.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Whatever harm I may have done myself, I shall take the consequences of +it without troubling any one else. As for you all, why, there is not +one of you that will even listen to me. But I tell you now, once and +for good," here his voice grew hard and menacing, "I have had enough of +your endless hinting and tormenting. I won't bear it any longer. +Believe what you will and whom you will, it shall be just the same to +me in future. What I have begun, I shall go through with, in spite of +every one; and if there is really to be an end of all confidence, I +shall, at least, know how to enforce obedience."</p> + +<p class="normal">So saying he went out. Martha made no attempt to detain him, and she +would certainly have tried in vain. He crashed to the door of the room +behind him, making the little house shake in its foundations. Next +minute he had left the cottage.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">The arrival of the guests up at the château had brought some animation +to that divided household, but it had hardly drawn the young couple +more closely together. Although the visitors' stay was limited to a few +days, Arthur continually found pretexts and opportunities for +withdrawing from their society, an attention for which his father and +brother-in-law were both sincerely grateful.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron was but now returning after a sojourn of several weeks on the +Rabenau property, his own from this time forth. Notwithstanding the +frightful catastrophe which had occurred on the occasion of his first +visit, he had been forced to leave his daughter on the following +morning, a nearer duty calling him to his cousin's grave. Even when the +last offices were over, there remained much to be set in order, and the +heir's presence had been indispensable.</p> + +<p class="normal">He was now returning in company of his eldest son, whom he had sent for +to join him, and, this time also, they made the short détour round by +the Berkow estates, all the more readily that the young Baron Conrad +had not seen his sister since her marriage.</p> + +<p class="normal">More was intended by this visit than a mere family meeting, or so it +appeared from a conversation which took place in Eugénie's boudoir on +the day after their arrival, Arthur being absent as usual. His wife sat +on the sofa listening to her father, who was standing before her, and +just winding up a long peroration, while Conrad, leaning against a +chair at a little distance from them, watched his sister with a look of +eager expectation.</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie sat resting her head on her hand so as to shade her face. When +her father ceased speaking, she did not alter her position or look up, +but replied in a low voice:</p> + +<p class="normal">"No hints or allusions are needed for me to understand what you mean, +papa. You are speaking of a separation."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, my dear," said the Baron, earnestly, "to a separation, no matter +under what pretext, or at what cost. What is obtained by force must be +kept by force, the Berkows should have remembered that. Now that I am +once more master of my own actions, that I need be their debtor no +longer, I will employ every means to free you from those chains which +you took upon yourself solely on my account, and which, deny it as you +may, are making you wretched in the extreme."</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie did not answer. Her father took her hand and sat down by her.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The thought is new to you and takes you by surprise? It flashed upon +me directly I received the weighty news which brought about such an +unexpected change in our circumstances. At that time it would have been +difficult to realise it. The elder Berkow had left nothing undone to +secure an alliance with our family. It was out of the question that he +should consent to a dissolution of the marriage, for that would have +shut him out from those circles to which he hoped to gain access +through us; and with such a man as he, capable of anything in his utter +unscrupulousness, we could not well proceed to open fight. His death +put an end to all the difficulties at a blow, for his son's resistance +can be got over. He has played a merely passive rôle throughout the +business, and simply lent himself to be his father's tool. He will +yield, I hope, to energetic action on our part."</p> + +<p class="normal">"He will yield," affirmed Eugénie under her breath. "Have no fear on +that score."</p> + +<p class="normal">"So much the better!" replied Windeg. "We shall attain our end the more +speedily."</p> + +<p class="normal">He was, it seemed, desirous of pushing forward to that end without loss +of time, and such was indeed the fact. To the poor nobleman, heavily +laden with debt, there had been no choice left but to accept Eugénie's +sacrifice, and so save his own and his sons' name and position; +whatever it may have cost him, he bent to a hard necessity, and the +very necessity of the case taught him how to bear it.</p> + +<p class="normal">But, to the Lord of Rabenau, who had regained complete independence, +and with it all his old sense of dignity, who could pay back with ease +the sums he had received, this bond of restraint appeared a burning +disgrace, and he looked upon his daughter's marriage as an act of +injustice committed to her prejudice, and which he must repair at any +cost. During his stay at Rabenau this thought had haunted him, and had +gradually shaped itself into a plan which was now ripe for execution.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It will certainly meet both your wishes and ours that this painful +affair should be entered into and settled as quickly as possible," he +continued. "I was going to propose that you should accompany us to the +city under some pretext or other, and, when there, take the necessary +steps to accomplish it. You need simply refuse to return to your +husband, and insist upon a separation. We will take care that he does +not make good his claims by force."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, by Jove, that we will, Eugénie!" broke in Conrad passionately. +"If he should find he has made a bargain to his liking, and refuse to +give it up, your brothers will compel him to yield at the point of the +sword. He cannot threaten us now with shame and public humiliation as +his father did. That was the only thing the Windegs feared, the only +argument by which a daughter of their house could ever have been won +from them."</p> + +<p class="normal">His sister stopped him almost impatiently.</p> + +<p class="normal">"There is no occasion for threats. Con, and none for your anxiety, +papa. Both are equally uncalled for. That which you expect to have to +fight for and win by force has long been a settled thing between Arthur +and myself."</p> + +<p class="normal">Windeg started up, and Conrad came a step nearer impetuously in his +surprise.</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie strove to give firmness to her voice, but she could not +succeed; it quivered audibly as she went on:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Before Herr Berkow's death we had come to an agreement about it, but +we wished to avoid the éclat of too early and sudden a rupture, and so +we imposed on ourselves the restraint of living for a time under the +same roof."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Before Berkow's death?" interrupted her brother. "Why, that was soon +after you were married!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"So you introduced the subject yourself?" said the Baron with equal +animation. "Did you insist upon it?"</p> + +<p class="normal">They neither of them seemed to understand the pain which was so plainly +written on the young wife's face. She called up all her self-command +and answered steadily.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I never alluded to the matter. Arthur voluntarily offered me a +separation."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron and his son looked at one another, as though such a piece of +intelligence overstepped their powers of comprehension.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Indeed! I was not prepared for that," said the Baron, at last, slowly. +"He himself! I should not have expected it!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No matter," cried Conrad with a sudden burst of tenderness, "no +matter, so long as he gives you back to us, Eugénie. We have none of us +been able to take any pleasure in the inheritance which has come to us, +because we knew that you have been made unhappy for our sakes. My +father will not be fairly at ease in the new life until you come back, +no more will any of us. We have missed you so in everything."</p> + +<p class="normal">He threw his arm round his sister, and she hid her face for a few +seconds on his shoulder. It was as deadly white and cold in its beauty +as it had been when she stood before the altar; yet now she was on the +eve of returning to her father's house, from which she had that day +been torn away.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron looked at his daughter in some surprise, as she now raised +her head and passed her handkerchief over her brow.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Excuse me, papa, if I seem rather strange to-day. I am not quite well, +not well enough, that is, to discuss this subject. You must let me go +to my room, I"----</p> + +<p class="normal">"You have had too much to bear of late," said her father tenderly. "I +see it, my dear, even though you will not confess it. Go, and leave all +to my care. I will spare you as much as possible."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is odd though, is it not, sir?" said the young Baron, as the door +closed behind his sister. "Do you understand this Berkow? I don't."</p> + +<p class="normal">Windeg paced up and down the room with a frown on his brow. He was not +merely surprised, but wounded in his pride by this disclosure. To the +aristocrat it had seemed quite explicable that a parvenu owning +millions of money should employ all the means at his disposal, +hesitating neither at intrigue nor sacrifice, to obtain a connection +with himself, even though such endeavours were met with unbounded +hatred and contempt. But that his plebeian son-in-law should have +received the hand of a Baroness Windeg with perfect equanimity, as if +there had been nothing extraordinary in such a marriage; that, as time +went on, he should have shown himself as insensible to the honour done +him as his father was the reverse;--these were things he never could +forgive. And now this man, this Arthur Berkow, retired from the +connection of his own free will, before any inducement to do so had +been held out to him. This was too much for the haughty Windeg. He had +been eager to struggle for, to re-conquer, his daughter's freedom, but +that he should owe it to her husband's generosity or indifference was +intolerable to him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I will speak to Berkow," he said presently, "and if he really does +agree, which I doubt, in spite of what Eugénie has told us, we must set +to work without delay."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Without delay?" asked Conrad. "They have hardly been married three +months, and I think they are right in wishing to avoid too early a +rupture."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No doubt they are, and I should give my complete approval, if I had +not other reasons of my own for hurrying on the affair. Things are not +as they should be here on the works. I have received a hint from a +friendly source that these disturbances, which have broken out among +the hands employed, may inflict a deadly injury upon the Berkow +property, enormous as it is supposed to be. If a crash should come, his +wife could hardly leave him at such a moment; for the sake of public +opinion she must stay on. Though we have deeper and far more serious +reasons for desiring a separation, his ruin would be looked upon as the +real cause, and that must not be. Better we should be thought to stir +in the matter prematurely than suffer our hands to be tied, as they +would be, should a catastrophe occur. A vast undertaking like this does +not fall to pieces in a few weeks. It would take a year at least, and +in half that time a divorce may be obtained, if he puts no difficulties +in the way. Eugénie must return to our house, must be free again, +before the state of things here gets known in the city."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I should have thought my sister would have taken up the idea more +cheerfully and with greater zest," said Conrad meditatively. "To be +sure, if they had settled the matter before between themselves, there +was nothing in it new to her, but she seems as quiet and silent about +it, as if it were no concern of hers, as if her liberty did not depend +upon it."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron shrugged his shoulders.</p> + +<p class="normal">"She does not like the thought of the unavoidable talk it will excite, +of all the unpleasant details of the law-suit which cannot be spared +her. It is always a painful step for a woman to take, and yet it must +be taken. In this case we shall, at any rate, have the whole city on +our side. It was unfortunately no secret why this marriage was +arranged, and but little surprise can be felt that we should hasten to +dissolve it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Here comes Berkow," whispered Conrad, as the door of the adjoining +room was opened. "You wish to speak to him. Shall I leave you +together?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Windeg shook his head.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are the eldest son of our house, and at such discussions the +presence of a third person often acts as a wholesome restraint. Stay +here, Conrad."</p> + +<p class="normal">While these words were being quickly exchanged in a low voice, Arthur +had crossed the ante-room. He came in now, and the greetings on either +side were polite and frigid as usual. The conversation began with the +customary flowers of rhetoric. The guests regretted they should enjoy +so little of their host's company, the latter put forth as an excuse +the accumulation of business which deprived him of the pleasure, etc., +mutual formalities believed in by neither party, but behind which each +sheltered himself as affording, at least, some subject matter for talk.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I hope Eugénie's constant company will make up to you for my enforced +absence," continued Arthur, glancing through the salon as though in +quest of his wife.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Eugénie is slightly indisposed; she has just left us," returned the +Baron, "and I should be glad to make use of this opportunity to express +to you a wish of mine, the fulfilment of which depends mainly on +yourself."</p> + +<p class="normal">"If its fulfilment depends on me, you have but to command."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young man took up a position opposite his father-in-law, while +Conrad, who knew what was coming, withdrew, as though accidentally, +into a window recess, and appeared to be steadfastly gazing out on the +terrace below.</p> + +<p class="normal">Windeg's bearing was full of stately calm and aristocratic dignity. He +desired to be as impressive as possible, and so do away at once with +any possible resistance on the part of his daughter's plebeian husband; +for he looked upon Arthur's offer of a separation, at the most, as a +hasty speech made in a moment of passion. He could not believe it to be +serious.</p> + +<p class="normal">"People seem to attach a greater degree of importance to this +revolutionary movement on your estates than it probably has in +reality," he began. "As I came by the town yesterday and paid a visit +to the commandant of the garrison there, a very old friend of mine, the +feeling among the hands over here was described to me as most +dangerous, and an outbreak of disturbances was said to be extremely +probable."</p> + +<p class="normal">"They appear to take more interest in my works and in my people than I +had supposed," said Arthur, coldly. "I have, at all events, not +besought the Colonel for help in case of need."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron understood the hint.</p> + +<p class="normal">"As for me, of course, I can form no opinion on the subject," he +replied quickly. "I only wished to draw your attention to the fact that +there would be impropriety in exposing Eugénie to any such possible +scenes of disorder. It is my desire to take my daughter with me to the +city, just for a time, until the situation here has cleared a little."</p> + +<p class="normal">A shade fell on the young man's face. Again he cast a quick glance over +to the door which led to his wife's apartments, as though trying to +divine whether the wish came from her. His reply was quite calm, +however.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Eugénie is mistress of her own actions. If she considers it necessary +to leave she is perfectly at liberty to do so."</p> + +<p class="normal">Windeg, highly pleased, bent his head affirmatively.</p> + +<p class="normal">"She will accompany us then to-morrow morning. As to the length of her +absence, there we approach a subject which is equally painful to us +both, but I prefer to touch upon it by word of mouth, particularly as I +know our wishes to be identical with regard to the main point at +issue."</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur seemed about to start from his chair, but he controlled himself +and kept his seat.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh! so Eugénie has already been making communications to you?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, does that surprise you? Her father would, of course, be the first +person in whom she would confide."</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur's lips twitched nervously.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I supposed that the matter would remain between ourselves until the +time for action had arrived. I see I was wrong."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why postpone things when once a decision has been come to?" asked the +Baron quietly. "The present time is most favourable for carrying it +into execution. The existing state of affairs here affords the best, +the most unexceptional pretext for my daughter's leaving. It need not +be known at first that she is leaving definitively. In these summer +months, when every one is away from the city, the preliminary steps can +be taken with least notice. When an éclat cannot be avoided, it is +preferable to give people at once an actual event to talk about. In +that way gossip is soonest exhausted."</p> + +<p class="normal">A long pause followed. Arthur looked again, this time with rather an +enigmatical expression, at the door of his wife's apartments; then he +turned slowly to her father.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Did the wish that this affair should be hurried on come from Eugénie +herself?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron thought proper to withhold the truth on this occasion. By so +doing, he would attain his end more quickly, and Eugénie would +certainly be grateful to him for it.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I speak in my daughter's name," he declared gravely.</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur rose suddenly, and so hastily that his chair was thrown to the +ground.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I consent to everything, Baron, to everything! I thought I had +explained to your daughter my reasons in favour of a delay. They were +entirely dictated by consideration for herself, and did not concern me +in any way. If, notwithstanding these, she still desires to hasten on +the matter--be it so!"</p> + +<p class="normal">The tone in which these words were spoken was so peculiar, that Conrad, +who had all along been apparently intent on the terrace below, +although, in reality, he had not lost a word of the discussion, turned +round suddenly and looked at his brother-in-law in astonishment.</p> + +<p class="normal">Windeg himself felt surprised. What reason was there for any show of +temper? He simply wished that a tie, burdensome to both parties, should +be loosed a little earlier than had been intended.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You fully agree to a separation then?" he asked, a little uncertain.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Fully."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron breathed freely. So Eugénie had been right in declaring that +her husband would consent at once. What remained to be settled would, +he thought, hardly present a difficulty.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am very much indebted to you for meeting me thus," said he politely. +"It will facilitate matters for both sides. There is one other thing +which I must mention, though it has no bearing upon the subject in +hand. Your father"--the present Lord of Rabenau flushed crimson at the +remembrance--"your father was good enough to take up certain +obligations of mine which I was not then in a position to discharge. I +am able to do so now, and I should wish as speedily as possible"----</p> + +<p class="normal">He paused, for Arthur had turned his eyes full upon him with a look +which forbade him to go on.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Had we not better let this subject rest? I really must beg that it may +not be touched upon."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It might be allowed to rest so long as our mutual relations +subsisted," returned Windeg gravely, "but not when they cease to exist. +You will not oblige me to remain your debtor?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"There was no question here of a debt in the ordinary sense of the +word. Those obligations, which my father agreed to meet were, in +reality, held by himself alone. The documents relating to the +transaction were destroyed, so far as I know, when"--here the young +man's extreme irritation broke for an instant through his enforced +calm--"when you paid the price for them."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron rose offended.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The marriage was concluded at that time, in pursuance, certainly, of +Herr Berkow's wish; it is now about to be dissolved, more particularly +at our desire. The circumstances are completely reversed."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Is it absolutely necessary that we should keep up the business point +of view and make a bargain of the divorce also?" interrupted Arthur +with cutting sarcasm. "I hope that I and my wife may not be made the +subject of traffic a second time. Once was quite sufficient."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron altogether misunderstood these words, as he also +misunderstood the agitation which prompted them. He answered with his +haughtiest air.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Remember, if you please, Herr Berkow, that the word traffic, which you +are pleased to employ, can only have reference to one of the parties +concerned. It cannot apply to us."</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur stepped back; his attitude was proud and dignified, such as the +nobleman opposite him could but rarely assume.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I know now how this marriage was brought about, and I know too how +those obligations came to exist which forced you into giving your +consent. You will therefore understand why it is I request that not +another syllable may be said about this debt. I require of you, Baron, +that you do not make a son blush for his father's memory."</p> + +<p class="normal">Once before Windeg had been disconcerted by his son-in-law's behaviour, +on the occasion when the latter had thought fit to decline the peerage +offered him, but that had been done in a cool, half negligent manner, +and quite in the former Arthur Berkow's style. The present scene and +the way in which he now bore himself fairly petrified the Baron. +Involuntarily he glanced at his son, who had come out of the recess, +and on whose youthful countenance was depicted a boundless astonishment +which he gave himself no trouble to conceal.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I was not aware you viewed the matter in that light," said Windeg at +last "It was not my intention to wound your feelings."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I suppose not, so we will let the subject drop into the past. With +regard to the divorce, I will give my solicitor instructions to meet +yours in a friendly spirit, and to render him any assistance in his +power. Should a personal application to myself be necessary at any +time, pray consider me as quite at your disposal I will do all I can to +bring the matter to an end as speedily and with as little +unpleasantness as possible."</p> + +<p class="normal">He bowed to both gentlemen and left the room. In an instant young +Conrad was at his father's side.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What can it all mean? What, in the name of goodness, has come over +this Arthur Berkow during the last three months? I thought yesterday +evening he was graver and had a more decided way with him than +formerly, but I never should have imagined he would be capable of +behaving with so much dignity."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron had not yet recovered from his astonishment. His son's +exclamation roused him. "He really appears not to have been aware of +the part his father was acting towards us. That certainly alters the +case," said he in some confusion. "If only he had not required me to +remain in his debt!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"He does perfectly right," said Conrad, firing up, "now that he knows +by what a system of usury Berkow drove us to our ruin. Not a quarter of +the prodigious sums, afterwards arrayed against us, was ever advanced +or expended by him in buying up those bills, and not a penny can the +son receive if he will not bring dishonour on himself too. One could +see that he was filled with shame at the whole disgraceful story. But +this interview of ours took a very strange turn. The painful, the +humiliating rôle in it was, unquestionably, his, and yet he managed to +make us feel almost ashamed of our offer."</p> + +<p class="normal">Windeg seemed disposed to take this last observation rather +ungraciously, perhaps because he could not gainsay it.</p> + +<p class="normal">"If we were unjust to him before, I am ready now to do him full +justice," said he, "and the more so that we really owe him some thanks +for his conduct with regard to this divorce business. I did not expect +it would be so easy, notwithstanding the indifference he has always +shown about the marriage."</p> + +<p class="normal">Conrad's face again assumed a meditative expression, which, certainly, +was not proper to it.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I don't know, sir; it strikes me that the thing is by no means so +settled. Berkow was far from being as calm as he tried to appear, and +it was the same with Eugénie. There was no indifference in that violent +start of his when you declared that she insisted on an immediate +separation, and in Eugénie's face, when she left us, there was still +less. A very odd idea has occurred to me in consequence!"</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron smiled with great superiority.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are quite a child still in some things. Con, in spite of your +epaulets and your twenty years. Do you imagine that the determination +which, as it now appears, they have both long since come to, could have +arisen without previous quarrels and unpleasantness? Eugénie has +suffered much from these scenes; perhaps Berkow may have suffered also. +What you so sagely remarked was the reverberation of storms gone by, +nothing more. Thank God, there is plain sailing between us now, and the +storms are over for good and all."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Or perhaps they are only just beginning!" said Conrad to himself under +his breath, as he left the room with his father.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XIX.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">Evening had come, and throughout the house there was a feeling of +disquiet and much busy movement. Baron Windeg had had another and a +longer interview with his daughter in the afternoon, and directly +afterwards the lady's maid had received orders to pack up her +mistress's wardrobe. Herr Berkow had previously informed the servants +that his wife would leave in the morning with her father for a stay of +several weeks in the capital, and had desired that the necessary +preparations should be made.</p> + +<p class="normal">Of course, this piece of news at once made the round of all the +officials' dwellings, and there, as at home, excited more uneasiness +than surprise. It was clear as day that the master was only sending +away her ladyship because he was convinced there would soon be "a row" +on the works. He wished to know that she was in safety, and had +probably himself sent for her father to fetch her away. Windeg was +right. The pretext was so plausible, it occurred to nobody to doubt it.</p> + +<p class="normal">At first, the strangely cold relations between the young married pair +had been much discussed and commented on; but that had gradually +ceased. It was known that the marriage had not been one of inclination, +but as no quarrels or violent scenes were ever heard of--and, had there +been any such, they could hardly have escaped the servants' notice--as +Berkow was always politeness itself in his behaviour to his wife, and +Eugénie tranquillity itself in her manner towards him, it was concluded +that they must have become accustomed to and satisfied with each other: +the usual result of these marriages of convenience. Their peculiar way +of life seemed to be only what was practised in the great world.</p> + +<p class="normal">In the higher circles of the capital it was usual to live thus apart +and on a politely cool footing, and it could therefore be a matter of +no surprise that the Baroness Windeg and the son of Berkow the +millionaire should adopt the same course. That this journey, which had +been preceded by no quarrel, should contain in it the germs of a final +separation, was suspected by no one, and it struck no one as strange +that the family did not spend that evening in company as usual.</p> + +<p class="normal">Dinner was served for the two guests in the dining-room; her ladyship, +being unwell, ordered tea in her boudoir, and then, to her maid's +astonishment, left it untouched. As to Herr Berkow, he did not dine at +all, but retired to his study where he had "business" to attend to, +giving strict orders that he should not be disturbed.</p> + +<p class="normal">Without all was pitch darkness, and here within the lamp on the +writing-table shed its light on a man who, for more than an hour, +had been pacing restlessly to and fro. Behind those closed doors the +mask of indifference he had worn so long, was thrown off at last, +and an outlet given to the storm silently raging within him. This +was no longer the blasé young heir, nor the resolute leader whose +suddenly-aroused energy and presence of mind had impressed his +subordinates with respect and inspired the officials with courage.</p> + +<p class="normal">In this man's face were visible traces of a great passion, the extent +of which had been unknown even to himself, until the moment when the +object of it was about to be lost to him. That moment had now come, +and, for a while, his passion claimed its right to be heard.</p> + +<p class="normal">The pallor of his brow, his quivering lips and burning eyeballs told a +tale of what that day's interview had cost him, though the Baron had +asserted of it that he could not have supposed the matter would be so +easily arranged.</p> + +<p class="normal">It had come at last then, that much-dreaded day of separation! and it +was well that another had stepped in and effected that which his will +lacked strength to undertake. How often during the last fortnight had +Arthur himself thought of using the pretext which the Baron now +suggested to him, and so of shortening the torture of this life under a +common roof; for that measured calm of exterior, belying at every +moment, as it did, the inward glow at his heart, could no longer be +sustained. It exceeded his powers of endurance! And yet he had taken no +step.</p> + +<p class="normal">It is an indisputable truth that what is unavoidable had best be done +at once; but not every one who would, if necessary, courageously use +the knife to a poisoned bodily wound, can pluck up resolution to tear a +devouring passion from his breast. With it there comes irresistibly the +dread of losing the much loved object.</p> + +<p class="normal">They had been long separated, these two, but, at least, he could still +behold that fair face with the dark, speaking eyes, and the proud and +delicate features which had grown so grave of late, and then there came +moments of bliss, fleeting as lightning, which made amends for whole +days and weeks of bitterness; such as that time in the forest the day +before yesterday, when, with evident anxiety, she had pressed her horse +close to his, when she had trembled in his arms as he lifted her from +her saddle.... It might be cowardly, but he could not voluntarily +renounce all this before it was demanded of him. And now the demand was +made!</p> + +<p class="normal">The door was gently opened, and a servant appeared hesitating on the +threshold.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What is it?" exclaimed Arthur. "Did I not give orders"----</p> + +<p class="normal">"I beg your pardon, sir," said the man timidly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I knew you did not wish to be disturbed, but as her ladyship +herself"----</p> + +<p class="normal">"Who?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Her ladyship is here herself, and wishes"----</p> + +<p class="normal">The man had no time to finish. To his astonishment, his master tore the +door from his hand and hurried past him into the ante-room. There he +saw his wife, apparently waiting; in an instant he was at her side.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You have yourself announced? What unnecessary etiquette!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"You wished to see no one, I hear, and Frank told me the order applied +to every one without exception."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Arthur frowned, and turned to the servant, who said apologetically,</p> + +<p class="normal">"I really did not know what to do. It is the first time my lady has +come here."</p> + +<p class="normal">He stammered these words in his confusion, meaning them as an excuse +and nothing more, but Eugénie turned quickly away, and the reprimand on +her husband's lips remained unspoken.</p> + +<p class="normal">The man was right after all; he had received no instructions for such +an exceptional case as that of his mistress paying a visit to his +master's room. It was truly the first time she had been there. +Hitherto, they had only met in her boudoir, at table, or in the +drawing-rooms. The present visit might well create surprise among the +servants.</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur signed to the man to go, and came back into the study with his +wife. She hesitated a little on the threshold.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I wished to speak to you," she said, in a low voice.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am quite at your service."</p> + +<p class="normal">He closed the door and pushed forward an armchair, inviting her by a +gesture to be seated. These few minutes had sufficed to give him back +all that self-control which he had so constantly exercised during the +past few weeks. He spoke and moved in a cool measured way, as though +showing politeness to a strange lady in a strange salon.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Will you not sit down?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Thank you, I shall not detain you long."</p> + +<p class="normal">There was something shy and uncertain in her manner which contrasted +oddly with her usual composure. Perhaps in these rooms she felt ill at +ease, or perhaps she found it hard to open the conversation.</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur did not come to her assistance. He saw that she twice tried to +find words and failed, but he stood at his table silent and +constrained, and waited.</p> + +<p class="normal">"My father has told me of his talk with you," she began, "and also of +its result."</p> + +<p class="normal">"So I expected, and--excuse me, Eugénie--it was just on that account I +was surprised to see you here. I thought you were occupied with the +preparations for your departure."</p> + +<p class="normal">These words were probably intended to counteract any impression his +agitation at seeing her might have produced, and they had the desired +result. Some seconds clasped before she continued.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You had already spoken of my journey to the servants in the +afternoon?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, I thought you would wish it, and it seemed best that the order +for the necessary preparation should come from me. Had you thought of +introducing the subject in any other way? If so, I regret that I was +not earlier made acquainted with your views."</p> + +<p class="normal">His tone was frigid, and Eugénie felt as though an icy breath had been +wafted over to her. Involuntarily she retreated a step.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have no observation to make, only it surprised me that my departure, +the date of which had once been fixed, should now be hastened on. You +had, I thought, reasons which would have induced you to keep to our +arrangement."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I? On this point I yielded to a wish, to a request of yours. Baron +Windeg gave me to understand, at least, that it was so."</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie started. She drew a long breath of relief, and all shyness and +uncertainty vanished, as though, with this one answer, her courage had +wholly returned to her.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I thought so! My father went too far, Arthur; he spoke in my name, +when he was only setting forth his own wishes. I have come now to clear +up this misunderstanding, and to tell you that I shall not go, at least +not until I hear from your lips that you wish me to do so."</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie watched him with breathless attention, as though striving to +read in his eyes what was passing in his mind; but they were downcast +still, and her words produced no visible effect. His features relaxed +once as she spoke of a misunderstanding, or so she fancied, but the +change in him was but momentary, and, after a pause of a few seconds, +he replied coldly and composedly as ever: "You will not go? And why +not?" She stepped up to him and said resolutely: "You told me yourself +the other day that all your future is involved in the coming struggle. +I know since our last meeting with Hartmann that it will be fought out +to the uttermost, and that your position is even more critical than you +will allow. At such a time I can and will not leave you, it would be +cowardly, and" ...</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are very generous," interrupted Arthur with ill-concealed +bitterness. "But to perform an act of generosity, some one must be +found willing to accept it, and I certainly am not willing to accept +yours."</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie's hand grasped the chair near her, she pressed her fingers +tightly into its velvet cushions, as though in repressed anger.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No. The plan was of your father's making, so be it. He is doubtless +right in requiring that his daughter, who will shortly be his +altogether again, should be placed in safety and protected from those +rough scenes and excesses which, in all probability, may take place +here. I am quite of his opinion, and I agree fully to to-morrow's +separation."</p> + +<p class="normal">She raised her head and said with spirit,</p> + +<p class="normal">"And I only agreed to it when I thought it was your wish. I cannot +yield in this matter to my father's will alone. I have taken upon +myself the duties of your wife, in the sight of the world at least, +and, so far, I shall fulfil them. They command me not to desert you +basely in the face of that which threatens you, but to remain at your +side until the worst has been tided over, and the date originally fixed +for our parting has come. Then I will go, and not before."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not if I expressly ask you to do so?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Arthur!"</p> + +<p class="normal">He stood half turning from her, and crushing in his hand a paper he had +mechanically taken up from his bureau. The self-control he had regained +by so violent an effort was not proof against that look and tone.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have begged you once already not to play at generosity with me. I +have no liking for such scenes. Duties! It may be the duty of a woman, +who has willingly given her husband both hand and heart, to stay by him +and share his misfortune, perhaps his ruin, as she has shared his +prosperity. That is not our case. We have no duties to each other, for +we never had any rights one upon the other. The only thing which I +could offer you in our compulsory union was the possibility of +dissolving it; it has been dissolved from the moment that we decided +upon a separation. That is my answer to the offer you have made me."</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie's dark eyes were still fixed on his face. The tell-tale +lightning-like flash, which at times seemed to discover the unknown +depths of his being, came not to-day, and yet to-day of all days did +she long to conjure it up at any cost.</p> + +<p class="normal">Whatever she may have seen or guessed by it--and something she must +have divined, or her proud spirit would never have so far bent as to +allow her to come hither with her proposal--he would not grant her the +triumph of again beholding it or of convincing herself of its true +meaning.</p> + +<p class="normal">He remained perfect master of himself, and left her a prey to torturing +doubt. Her woman's instinct had spoken unhesitatingly when Ulric +Hartmann's look had glowed upon her yesterday up on the forest heights, +and, with the knowledge of what lay behind, horror of it had seized her +as well. Yet she had been quite calm then, through all the danger with +which she was threatened by an insane passion.</p> + +<p class="normal">Here, where there was nothing to fear, she shook from head to foot in a +fever of emotion, and a thick veil seemed to fall on all around, just +as the brown eyes opposite were veiled before her. The inward voice was +silent now, and yet at this moment she would have given her life to +have acquired a certainty.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You should not make it so hard for me to stay." Her voice betrayed +something of the perplexity within her; it wavered between pride and +soft submission. "I had much to fight against and much to conquer +before I came here. You know it, Arthur, and should spare me."</p> + +<p class="normal">The words were almost supplicating, but Arthur had reached such a pitch +of irritation, he could no longer understand this. The bitter rage, +which had taken possession of him and now shook his whole frame, gave +its own interpretation to her words, and he answered sharply.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do not doubt that the Baroness Windeg is making an immense sacrifice +in resolving to bear a hated name yet three months longer, and to +remain at the side of a man she so thoroughly despises, notwithstanding +that immediate freedom is offered her. I had to hear once how repugnant +both are to you, and can judge therefore of what the victory over +yourself must have cost you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are reproaching me with the conversation we had on the night of +our arrival," said Eugénie in a low tone. "I ... I had forgotten it!"</p> + +<p class="normal">His eyes blazed now, but not with the light she had sought and hoped +for. He was too distant from her, too full of hostility, for that.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Really? And you do not ask whether I have forgotten it. I was forced +to listen then, but that was the limit of what I could bear. Do you +think a man will allow himself to be trampled in the dust with +impunity, as I was by you on that evening, and then rise from it +without further ado when it pleases you to alter your opinion? I was +not quite so miserably weak as you imagined; from that time forth I was +not weak at all. That hour was decisive for me, but it was decisive for +our future also. Whatever may befall me, I will bear it alone. During +the last few weeks I have learnt so much, I shall be able to go through +with that too, but"--he drew himself up with a glow of pride--"but the +woman who on the day after our wedding repulsed me with such haughty +contempt, without condescending to ask whether the husband to whom she +had given her hand were really as culpable as she believed him, who +received my assurance, my given word, that she was in error as the +ready pretext of a liar, who, to my question as to whether it might not +be worth while to try and redeem so lost a man, flung at me that +contemptuous 'No'--that woman shall not stay by me; I will not have her +at my side while I am fighting for all my future in this world. I will +stand alone!"</p> + +<p class="normal">He turned away from her in his wrath. Eugénie stood overwhelmed and +speechless. Great as had been the change in her husband of late, she +had never before seen him roused to passion, and at this moment his +violence almost frightened her. By the storm, now bursting over her +head, she could measure all that had lain hidden behind the +indifference which had so revolted her, all that had smouldered within +him for months together, until at last it drove him out of that apathy +which had become a second nature.</p> + +<p class="normal">Ah yes, that cold disdainful No! She knew now better than any one how +unjust she had been to him, and now that she saw how that word of hers +had mortified him, she might have allowed the present hour to make +amends for all the evil the other had wrought, if only those last +unfortunate words had remained unspoken. They touched her pride, and, +when once that was called into play, all clear judgment and reflection +were at an end, even though she knew herself to be in the wrong.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You will stand alone," she repeated. "Well, I will not impose my +presence on you. I wished to convince myself that my father's plan was +yours also. I see it is so, and therefore I shall leave."</p> + +<p class="normal">She turned to go. At the door she stopped a moment. It seemed to her +that, as she touched the handle, he made a rapid movement as though +about to spring after her; but it must have been an illusion, for, when +she looked round, he was still standing at the table, deadly pale +indeed, but with that answer of hers, that harsh inexorable "No," +clearly written on his face and entire bearing.</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie summoned up all her courage for one farewell speech.</p> + +<p class="normal">"We shall only see each other to-morrow in my father's presence, and +never again perhaps after that, so ... Good-bye, Arthur."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Good-bye," said he hoarsely.</p> + +<p class="normal">The door closed behind her; she was gone. The last few moments they +could spend alone together had fled; the last bridge between them had +broken down. Neither had been willing to yield an inch; neither would +speak the word which alone had power to help and save, the one word +which would have made good everything, even had the breach between them +been ten times as wide. Pride had won the day and sealed their fate.</p> + +<p class="normal">Grey and gloomy the morning dawned over the hills. In the house all was +stirring at an unaccustomed hour. It was necessary to start early, so +that the travellers might reach the nearest railway junction in time +for the train which should take them on to the capital the same +evening. At present there was no one in the breakfast-room but Conrad +von Windeg. The Baron was still in his apartment, Eugénie was not +visible either, and the young officer appeared to be very impatiently +waiting for something or some one. He had paced up and down, had +stepped out on to the balcony, and finally flung himself into an +arm-chair, but he jumped up quickly as Arthur Berkow came in.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, you are here already!" said the latter, greeting his youthful +brother-in-law with the cool politeness usual between them.</p> + +<p class="normal">Conrad hurried up to him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I wanted to say a few words to you; but, good Heavens! what is the +matter with you? Are you ill?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I?" said Arthur quietly. "What can you be thinking of? I am perfectly +well."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Are you?" returned Conrad with a look at the pale drawn features which +told of a sleepless night. "I should not have thought so!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am not used to get up so early, it always makes one look only half +awake. I am afraid you will have a bad journey. There is a terrible fog +this morning."</p> + +<p class="normal">He went up to the window to look out at the weather, and also to escape +from his companion's unpleasant physiognomical observations. Conrad was +not to be put off so. He stepped up to his brother-in-law's side.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I wanted to be down first," began he, hesitating a little, "because I +should like to say a few words to you while we are by ourselves, +Arthur."</p> + +<p class="normal">Berkow turned round, surprised as much by the mode of address as by the +wish expressed. Conrad had never before called him by his Christian +name. He had hitherto followed his father's example and employed the +formal "Herr Berkow."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well?" said Arthur, surprised indeed, but friendly.</p> + +<p class="normal">The young officer was evidently divided between doubt and confusion on +the one hand, and some unexpressed feeling on the other.</p> + +<p class="normal">After the pause of a minute or so, he raised his frank handsome face +and looked at his brother-in-law earnestly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"We have been unjust to you, Arthur, and I perhaps more than the rest. +I was indignant at the marriage and at the compulsion we had been +subjected to, and I honestly confess I have hated you with all my heart +ever since the day you married my sister. I found out yesterday that we +had been mistaken in our opinion of you, and so it is all up with my +hatred. I am sorry, very sorry, and--and that is what I wanted to say. +Will you shake hands, Arthur?"</p> + +<p class="normal">He held out his hand heartily. Arthur grasped it.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I thank you, Con," he said, simply.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, thank God, that is over. I could not sleep for it all night!" +exclaimed the young fellow, greatly relieved. "And, believe me, my +father does you justice too. He won't own it to you, I daresay, but I +know it is in his mind."</p> + +<p class="normal">A fleeting smile crossed Arthur's face, but it did not clear his brow +or bring a sparkle to his eyes. A heavy shadow lay on both as he +answered quietly,</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am glad of it. So we shall not part as enemies."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, about the journey," broke in Conrad, hastily. "My father is still +up in his room, and Eugénie is all by herself in hers. Will you not go +in and speak to her?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"What for?" asked Arthur in surprise. "The Baron may come in at any +moment, and Eugénie will hardly"----</p> + +<p class="normal">"I will stand before the door and not let any one in. I will manage to +keep my father here until you are ready."</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur's face flushed under the other's earnest gaze, but he shook his +head gravely.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, Con, that is not necessary. I spoke to your sister yesterday +evening, and we said all there was to say."</p> + +<p class="normal">"About her leaving?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"About her leaving."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young officer looked disappointed, but he had no time to press his +offer, for the Baron's step was just then heard outside, and +immediately afterwards he came in.</p> + +<p class="normal">Conrad retreated into the back ground with an air of vexation, +murmuring to himself as he did so:</p> + +<p class="normal">"But the thing is not on the square, for all that."</p> + +<p class="normal">The inevitable meeting at breakfast was over, helped through by the +Baron's formal politeness, and by the constant presence of the +servants; and now the carriage drove up to the terrace below. The +gentlemen took their overcoats, and the maid brought Eugénie's hat and +shawl. Arthur offered his arm to his wife to lead her down, for the +appearance of a perfectly good understanding between them must be kept +up to the last.</p> + +<p class="normal">Grey and gloomy the morning had dawned over the hills; grey and gloomy +it descended now into the valleys below. Before the windows a sea of +mist ebbed and flowed, and here within doors the cold frosty morning +light streaming already into the great rooms gave to them a weird and +desolate look. The splendour of their decorations seemed suddenly to +have lost all lustre and colour, now that they were about to be left +empty once more--very empty would they be, for their young mistress was +leaving them without thought of return.</p> + +<p class="normal">Conrad noticed that his sister had precisely the same look on her face +as that which just before had startled him on Arthur's; but, beyond +this, he could discover nothing unusual in their appearance or +behaviour. They were both fully capable of playing the parts they had +undertaken, although their features betrayed that the effort to do so +had cost them a sleepless night. Perhaps this icy composure of theirs +was not all assumed.</p> + +<p class="normal">When a storm has spent itself, there follows that dead calm which so +often helps us with relative ease over the most dreaded passages in +life. It casts a veil over the soul, and this veil obscures from it all +clear consciousness of the decisive moment. The struggle and combating +subside into a dull prevailing sense of pain, through which, now and +again, darts a fierce sudden pang, making the sufferer reflect as to +the reason of his anguish.</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie, leaning on her husband's arm, went down the stairs without +really knowing why or whither they were going. As in a dream she saw +the carpeted steps over which her dress rustled, the tall oleander +trees standing in the hall, the faces of the servants bowing as she +went by. It all passed before her in an indistinct shadowy way.</p> + +<p class="normal">Then all at once something sharp and almost painful smote her forehead; +it was the cold morning air, and she shuddered as she went out into it. +Before her stood the carriage ready to bear her away; she saw this and +nothing else, for terraces, flower-beds and fountains, all had +vanished, and the pale morning twilight gleamed only on a thick curtain +of vapour. Once again the eyes of husband and wife met, but they spoke +no word to each other. The cloud lay heavy and thick between them too.</p> + +<p class="normal">Then Eugénie felt that a hand, cold as ice, was laid in hers, heard +some distant polite farewell speech, the words of which she did not +comprehend; but it was Arthur's voice which spoke, and, at that sound, +the sharp stinging pain darted once more through her dull dream. After +that came the stamping of horses' hoofs and the roll of wheels, and +away they went out into the faintly illumined mists which surged and +swelled around them, as on that spring day when, up on the forest +heights, the separation had been decided on, in the hour of which the +old legends say: "What parts then, parts for all eternity."</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XX.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">"We shall have it in earnest now, I tell you," said the chief-engineer +to the Director, as they were walking together towards their respective +homes. "Their august leader seems to be only waiting for us to furnish +him with a pretext, in order to give the signal for attack. They +regularly challenge us now, and insults are the order of the day. The +whole district has been raised by them; the same thing is rife now on +all the works around, only we had the honour of being first in the +field. That brings grist to Hartmann's mill. He carries his head as +high as ever again."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Herr Berkow seems to be prepared for anything," said the Director. "He +has placed his wife in safety as speedily as possible. That shows +better than all else what he fears from his own people."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Bah! our people!" broke in his colleague. "We should soon come to +terms with them, if it were not for that one man. So long as he is in +command, there is no peace or rest to be thought of. If Hartmann were +away from the works but one week, I would answer for a settlement of +the whole business."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have thought already"--the Director looked round cautiously, and +lowered his voice--"I have thought already whether we could make use of +the suspicion which is in every one's mind, and which, we may be sure, +does the fellow no injustice. What do you say?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"It will not do. We have suspicions enough, but where are the proofs? +Nothing was found amiss with the pulleys or with the ropes. They broke, +and that was all that could be discovered, though the matter was +thoroughly sifted when the judicial inquiry was made. How it came +about, and what happened down below, can only be known to Hartmann, and +he is a match for any man. No one would make him commit himself. It +would result in nothing; they would have to set him free again."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But a criminal charge would deprive him of all power to harm for the +time being. If an accusation were lodged against him, he would be +imprisoned for a few weeks, and then"----</p> + +<p class="normal">The chief-engineer frowned ominously.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And the fury of our people, when they see hands laid upon their +leader, will you take that upon yourself? I will not. They would storm +the house down over our heads, if the manœuvre were seen through, as +it assuredly would be."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That might be a question. There is no longer the old love between him +and them."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But there is the old fear. He rules with it more despotically than +ever; and, besides, you do our men a wrong in supposing they would +desert their comrade, their leader, just on a mere suspicion. They may +be shy of him, may fall off from him in time; but the moment we were to +attempt to touch him, they would rally round and protect him at all +hazards. No, no; it won't do. The very thing we want to avoid, a bloody +conflict, would be inevitable then: and more than this, I am convinced +Herr Berkow would not lend a hand to it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Does he still guess nothing of the suspicions which are afloat?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Nothing. No one has cared to allude to the matter before him, and I +think it will be best to spare him further. He has enough to bear as it +is."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, more than enough; and the evil tidings of the last few weeks, +together with Schäffer's letters from the city, seem to have produced +some effect upon him. I believe he is seriously thinking of giving +way."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Nonsense," said the chief-engineer. "Before announcing that ultimatum +to the people, he had the alternative of risking his money or of +submitting to Herr Hartmann's rod while it might please that worthy to +chastise us; after the way he met them then, there could be no further +question of giving in. Every trace of authority would be gone +irretrievably, if he did not show a steady front now. He <i>must</i> go +forward, and it is always an advantage in battle to feel that there is +nothing for it but to advance boldly."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But if his fortune is at stake?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"But if his honour is at stake?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The two then fell into one of those heated and fruitless debates which +commonly ended in each retaining his own opinion. This was the case now +when they parted shortly afterwards.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Neutrality is a fine thing!" growled the chief-engineer after his +colleague, as he turned into his house. "Just a little proper anxiety, +a little proper caution, keep fair with both parties, because you +never can tell which may get the upper hand at last I wish all the +sneaks--Wilberg, what the deuce are you about there with my daughter?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The two young people, at whom these words were levelled, sprang apart +as though they had been detected in a crime. But in truth, Herr Wilberg +had only ventured to kiss the young lady's hand in the most innocent +manner possible. He was looking so tender, however, and Mélanie, for +her part, was feeling so moved, that the advent of her father, already +vexed and irritated by his talk with the Director, came upon them both +like a thunderbolt.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I must entreat your forgiveness," stammered the luckless clerk; while +Fräulein Mélanie, conscious that, after all there was nothing so very +wicked in allowing one's hand to be kissed, stood by unabashed.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I beg you will give me an explanation of all this," said the +chief-engineer angrily. "What are you doing down here in the hall? Why +don't you go up into the drawing-room, which is the proper place for +you?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The explanation thus demanded could hardly be given in two words, +though the young people had been guiltless enough in the matter of this +meeting. Wilberg had gone up to his superior's house with a commission +from Herr Berkow in his head, and deep melancholy at his heart. The +latter was naturally called forth by the departure of his liege lady. +He had heard that this departure was intended on the evening before it +actually took place, and the knowledge of it had not roused him from +his dreams on the fatal morning. The young clerk was no early riser, +and would never have committed the imprudence of exposing himself at +that hour to the cold foggy air, which might have brought on an attack +of rheumatism.</p> + +<p class="normal">It was not he who, at break of day, was standing under the pines there +where the high road turned into the forest, patiently waiting for the +one minute in which the carriage would roll by, for the one look at a +face within, which, after all, was looked for in vain, for it lay, with +closed eyes, buried in the cushions, and altogether hidden from view.</p> + +<p class="normal">As he, who had so waited, passed under the young poet's windows on his +way home to the Manager's house, Herr Wilberg was still in the +enjoyment of undisturbed repose. That, however, did not prevent his +feeling unutterably wretched on his awakening, and the whole week +through he bore himself with an air of such profound melancholy, that +Fräulein Mélanie, meeting him accidentally in the hall, could not help +asking him compassionately what ailed him.</p> + +<p class="normal">The unhappy lover was just in the humour to unburthen himself to this +sympathising listener of his long-pent-up woe. He sighed several times; +made a few vague allusions, and, of course, ended by pouring out his +whole heart, to receive, equally, of course, a still warmer show of +sympathy in return.</p> + +<p class="normal">If the young lady had felt curious before, she was touched beyond all +expression now. She thought the story beautifully romantic, and poor +Wilberg worthy of her sincerest pity. It was, therefore, in no way +disconcerting to her when, at the end of all these disclosures and +comfortings, he seized her hand and imprinted on it a grateful kiss. +There could not be the slightest danger that he would ever love +another!</p> + +<p class="normal">And now the master of the house broke in on this touching scene with +all the prose of his paternal authority, and demanded to be told why +these outpourings of the heart took place in the hall, and not upstairs +in the drawing-room, where her mamma's presence would naturally have +acted as a restraint upon them. Herr Wilberg, feeling that a great +wrong was being done to him, shook himself together and managed to +explain.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have a commission from Herr Berkow."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, that is different. Mélanie, go upstairs; you hear it is a business +matter."</p> + +<p class="normal">Mélanie obeyed, while her father remained standing at the foot of the +stairs, not inviting his visitor up as usual. The latter was therefore +obliged to discharge his errand on the spot.</p> + +<p class="normal">"All right," said the chief-engineer calmly. "The plans in question are +at Herr Berkow's disposal; I will take them up to him. And now, Herr +Wilberg, a word with you. In spite of our mutual antipathy, I have +always done you full justice." Herr Wilberg bowed. "I look upon you as +a capable official." Herr Wilberg bowed again. "But I consider that you +are a little crazy."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young man, just in the act of bowing for the third time, started up +suddenly erect and stared at his interlocutor in speechless amazement; +the other went on imperturbably:</p> + +<p class="normal">"With regard to your mania for scribbling, I mean. That is no business +of mine, you would say? I should hope it is not. You have alternately +sung the praises of Hartmann, of her ladyship, and of Herr Berkow. You +are quite at liberty to do that, if it pleases you; but don't take it +into your head to sing about my Mélanie. That I forbid. I won't have +such nonsense put into the child's head. If your poetical feelings are +in want of a fresh object, take me or the Director; we are quite at +your service."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I think I shall decline that," said Wilberg, highly affronted.</p> + +<p class="normal">"As you like; but remember, my daughter is not to be trifled with. If +ever a poem 'To Mélanie,' falls into my hands, I shall be down upon +your iambics and your alexandrines, or whatever the nonsense is called. +That was what I had to say to you. Good-bye."</p> + +<p class="normal">With that this ruthless personage turned his back on the poet, whose +finest susceptibilities he had so cruelly wounded, and walked upstairs. +In the sitting-room his daughter met him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"O papa, how could you be so hard and so unjust to that poor Herr +Wilberg? He is so miserable."</p> + +<p class="normal">The chief-engineer laughed out loud.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Miserable! He? He is a miserable scribbler, that is what he is, always +stringing abominable verses together; and the more one tries to make +him understand it, the more madly he insists upon rushing into rhyme. +As to that kiss"----</p> + +<p class="normal">"Good gracious, papa! you are entirely mistaken," interrupted Mélanie, +very decidedly. "It was only out of gratitude. He is in love with Lady +Eugénie Berkow, and has been, quite hopelessly, of course, ever since +she was married. It is natural he should feel wretched, and that her +going away should drive him to despair."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, so it was his wretchedness and despair which made him kiss your +hand. Odd, very. But how do you know all this, Mélanie? You seem very +well informed about this fair-haired minstrel's love affairs."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young lady raised her head with an unmistakable air of +self-complacency.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am his confidant. He has poured out his whole heart to me. I tried +to comfort him, but he will not be comforted; he is far too miserable +for that."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Here is a pretty story!" cried the chief-engineer, highly incensed. +"So it has gone as far as that already, has it? Outpourings of the +heart and attempts at consolation! I should not have thought that +Wilberg was so clever. He, who speculates on the pity of you women, is +pretty sure to--but we will put a stop to the thing at once. In future, +you will be so good as not to listen to such confidential +communications. They are most improper. As for the consolation +business, I forbid it, once for all. I will take good care that he does +not set his foot in the house again, so there's an end of it!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Mélanie turned away, pouting. Her papa showed no great knowledge of +mankind when he fancied that, with his dictatorial fiat, he had really +put an end to the matter and laid the spectre, which had suddenly +risen up before him in the guise of a verse-making, guitar-playing +son-in-law. He ought to have known that, now for the first time, +Fräulein Mélanie would seriously resolve upon offering any consolation +in her power to the poor misunderstood Wilberg, whenever an opportunity +of doing so should occur, and that Herr Wilberg would that very evening +sit down to compose a poem "To Mélanie." Such matters are not settled +by the mere words, "It is not to be, so there's an end of it."</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XXI.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">The day was drawing to a close. The sun, as it went down, broke through +the gathering clouds once more with a bright crimson glow which flooded +woods and hills with a brief transitory splendour. Only for a few +minutes; then the great red ball of fire sank slowly below the horizon, +and with it disappeared all the brilliancy and colour which it had lent +the earth for one fleeting moment.</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur Berkow had just opened the iron gate which gave egress from the +park, and stepped outside. There he stood still, arrested by the sight +before him, and gazed long and sadly at the departing sun. His +countenance bore the expression of that perfect calm for which he had +so striven, but it was not the confident calm of a man who, having +victoriously thrown off one weakness, girds himself up for fresh +endeavours.</p> + +<p class="normal">He who stays behind on a sinking ship, and sees disappear in the +distance the boat which is bearing all he prizes on earth away to +safety and the far-off coast, while the ship itself drives helplessly +nearer and nearer the rocks on which it must inevitably perish, such a +one may hold out with unflinching courage, but he can be light-hearted +no more. When the last hope has fled, there comes a great hush. He is +able and ready then to meet the worst; and it was this stillness which +lay on Arthur's features. He had dreamt his dream, and the days at hand +were such as to require a full and complete awakening.</p> + +<p class="normal">He crossed the meadow, and took the direction leading to the officials' +dwelling-houses. The broad ditch, full of water, which ran along the +upper end of the park, passed through this meadow-land; but, in place +of the graceful little bridge which spanned it higher up, there was +here only a simple plank, strong and safe enough, but so narrow as only +to afford room for one passenger at a time. Arthur stepped on to it +quickly, and had advanced a few steps, when he came suddenly to a stand +before Ulric Hartmann, who appeared to recognise him at the same +moment. Berkow stood still, supposing that the Deputy would retreat and +allow him to pass; but the latter thought possibly the time had now +arrived for that provocation to which the chief-engineer had alluded. +Whether he really were trying to force on a conflict, or only obeying +the instincts of his own rebellious nature, he stood motionless, and +made no sign of giving way.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, Hartmann, are we going to stand still like this?" said Arthur +quietly, after he had waited a few seconds in vain. "The plank is too +narrow for us both; one of us must go back."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Must I be the one?" asked Ulric, sharply.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I should think so."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmann was about to answer in an aggressive spirit, but all at once a +reflection struck him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, yes, we are upon your ground; I have forgotten that."</p> + +<p class="normal">He went back, and let his employer cross over. Arthur stopped when he +reached the opposite side.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hartmann!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Ulric, who had already one foot on the plank, turned round at this +address.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I should have sent for you before this, if I had not feared my doing +so might be wrongly interpreted. As we have met, I should like to speak +to you."</p> + +<p class="normal">A gleam of triumph shot over the other's face; but it passed quickly, +and his features re-assumed the reserved look which was habitual to +them.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Here in the meadow?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"The place does not signify; we are alone here."</p> + +<p class="normal">Ulric approached slowly, and placed himself opposite his employer, who +was leaning against one of the willows which bordered the water-course. +The evening mists were beginning to rise, and yonder over the forest, +where the sun had lately set, the whole sky was suffused with a deep +crimson after-glow.</p> + +<p class="normal">They were a strange contrast, these two. The slender, almost delicate +figure of the high-bred man with his pale face in complete repose, his +dark earnest eyes, whence that light had now vanished which gave to +them at times so inexplicable a charm, and the giant frame of the +miner, carrying his fair curly head so proudly, whose gaze, full of +fire and a sort of savage satisfaction, never swerved from his +adversary's pale countenance. The instinct of jealousy taught him to +see and mark that which was observed by no one else, and, if all the +world maintained that Arthur Berkow had passed by his beautiful wife +unmoved, that he had never felt the slightest interest in her, Ulric +knew well that no man could remain indifferent who called such a woman +as Eugénie Windeg his own, knew too all that the loss of such a woman +implied, since that morning when he had stood under the pines, watching +her carriage as it rolled away.</p> + +<p class="normal">But, through all the pain of the separation, there rang a note of +triumph. A wife who loves her husband does not leave him at a time when +all around him is reeling and falling, yet she had gone, gone to the +safe protection of her father and brothers, and left him alone exposed +to all and everything. That must have struck home to him, to this proud +Berkow, whom neither hatred nor menace, neither fear of violence or +revolt, or even of ruin itself, could touch, and though he should +succeed in deceiving all about him with that calm brow of his, yet he +could not deceive his enemy. That blow had surely gone to his heart.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I need not tell you now of all that has occurred of late," began +Arthur; "you must be as well acquainted with it as I am, perhaps even +better. The other works have followed your example; we are entering +upon a lengthened conflict. Can you answer for your comrades?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Ulric started at this question.</p> + +<p class="normal">"How do you mean, Herr Berkow?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I mean, shall we be able to settle this business ourselves without +foreign interference? On the other works they have found it impossible +to do this. Up at the forges they have already sent a request for help +from the town. You are no stranger to the tumults there, and you best +know whether this were necessary or not. I should assuredly only have +recourse to such a measure in a case of extreme need, and in legitimate +self-defence. But such a case may arise. Already several of my agents +have been insulted, I myself was within an ace of meeting with insult +in the woods. Do not build upon my patience or upon my weakness. +However much I may desire to avoid all extreme measures, I warn you I +shall oppose force to force."</p> + +<p class="normal">At the first words Ulric had looked up in surprise. He had expected +something other than this declaration, but the quiet manner in which it +was made took from it all aggressive action and imposed a moderate tone +on him, the adversary. There was but a slight scoff in his voice as he +answered,</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is nothing new to me. Force to force! I knew from the first we +should come to that some day."</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur looked steadily at him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And whose fault is it, if we must come to that? Is it brought about by +the resistance of the masses or by the obstinacy of one man?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"By the obstinacy of one man, you are right there, Herr Berkow. You +know it needs only one single word from you for us all to be at work +again to-morrow."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And you know that I cannot speak the word, because it involves that +which is impossible. It is for you to concede something now. I propose +it to you once again."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Really?" said the miner, with an outburst of scorn. "No doubt, because +the whole province is astir, and we have got our mates to help and back +us."</p> + +<p class="normal">Berkow drew himself up quickly, and his eyes flashed.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Because we shall have to restore by force of arms that order and +discipline you are now trampling under foot, and because I wish, if it +be possible, to save my people from such a fate. Lay aside your scorn, +Hartmann, you do not believe in it yourself. Whatever has happened, or +may yet happen between us two, we may, I think, mutually absolve each +other of cowardice."</p> + +<p class="normal">Again there came the look and tone which had struck all dumb with +astonishment that day in the committee-room. Ulric looked with mingled +wrath and admiration at his employer, who dared so to speak to him at +an hour like the present. The scene in the forest must have shown him +what the possible consequences of these chance meetings might be, and +yet he had himself sought an interview in this solitary place.</p> + +<p class="normal">The park was quite empty; there was not a soul in sight across the +fields, and the houses lay at some considerable distance. Not one of +the officials would, under such circumstances, have stopped to +hold converse with the dreaded Hartmann, no, not even the bold +chief-engineer. It was only the once despised "milksop" who was ready +so to face danger. Truly, his enemy had absolved him of cowardice long +ago.</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur seemed conscious of the advantage he had gained. He came a step +nearer.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Can you not see, Hartmann, that with such behaviour as this you are +making your future stay here quite impossible?" he asked gravely. "You +think, perhaps, that when we come to negotiate, your friends will put +pressure upon me. I shall yield to no constraint, I give you my word. +Nevertheless, I can and do appreciate your valuable powers, misguided +as they are. So far, they have been used to my injury alone, but, for +that very reason, I can better estimate the services they might render, +should you one day cease to be hostile to me. Listen now to the voice +of reason. Be satisfied with the practical concessions you have +obtained, and, of my own free will, I offer you to remain on the works +with the usual chances of promotion. I know there is a certain risk in +retaining an element of discord like yourself among my hands, but I am +willing to run the risk, if my trust in you meets with similar +confidence."</p> + +<p class="normal">The offer in itself was somewhat hazardous perhaps, made, as it was, to +a man who looked on all moderation as a proof of weakness. Berkow, +however, had not altogether miscalculated his aim. Ulric did not +answer, but, for a nature like his, it was much that the proposal was +not at once repulsed with harsh distrust.</p> + +<p class="normal">"So far I have asked for confidence in vain," continued Arthur. "Up to +this time you have refused to trust me. I came here as a stranger, if +not to the place itself, to you at least and to all that concerns the +works. You met me with a declaration of war, without even inquiring +what alterations and improvements I might be willing to make. You +received and treated me as an enemy, and yet you could not know whether +I were your enemy at heart or not."</p> + +<p class="normal">"We are at war," said Ulric curtly. "Everything is fair at such times."</p> + +<p class="normal">All around them as they stood blazed the reflection of the crimson +sunset, and Arthur's face, as he raised it, was tinted with the bright +warm colour.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Must there be war between us? I do not mean the present strife, which +must come to an end sooner or later. I mean that secret embittered +warfare which hard treatment and oppression on the one side, and +rancour and hatred on the other, feed and foster continually. It has +been so all these years, I know, and it will be so again, if you submit +only through compulsion. We ought to make peace before there is blood +shed on either side. We can still do it. As yet, nothing has happened +to make the breach irreparable; in a few days it may be too late."</p> + +<p class="normal">With all its quietness there was something in the young master's voice +which went home to the hearer's heart, and the emotion visible in +Hartmann's face showed that he had not been insensible to it. +Accustomed to rule over his equals, he was the more keenly alive to any +supercilious treatment on the part of his superiors, and also to any +evidence of an ill-concealed fear.</p> + +<p class="normal">Now he found himself raised to a position which had never yet been +assigned him. He knew well that Arthur would not have so spoken to any +other of the men employed, perhaps not to any of the officials; he felt +it was solely due to his own personal qualities that he was dealt with +thus. The owner of the works spoke to him as man to man, on a matter +upon which the ill or well being of both depended, and he would surely +have carried the day had he been any other than Arthur Berkow. Ulric's +nature was too untrained, too passionate, for him to do justice there +where his hate was fully roused.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Our confidence has cost us dearly," said he bitterly. "Your father +made such a claim upon it during all those long years that we have none +left now for his son. I believe you don't make the offer out of fear, +Herr Berkow, I should not believe it of any one else, but I do of you. +But, as we have set about helping ourselves, I think we had better +fight it out to the last. Let it be decided this way or that. One of us +must win in the end."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And your comrades? Will you take upon yourself the responsibility of +all the care, the want, the chances of defeat, which this 'fighting it +out' may bring with it?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I can't help it. It is done for their sake."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, it is not done for their sake," said Arthur firmly; "but for the +sake of their leader's ambition. He wishes to get the domination over +them into his hands, and, were he to get it, he would prove a worse +despot than their former masters ever were. If you still have faith +left in your so-called mission, Hartmann, you can no longer impose on +me with it; for I see that you throw aside as worthless all that I +declare myself ready to do for the improvement of the people's +condition, and you keep steadily the one aim and end in view, the true +bearing of which I understand but too well. You wish to make me and my +agents powerless for the future, helpless in face of any resolution you +may be pleased to adopt, or any insurrection you may stir up. Now that +you speak in the name of the masses, blindly obedient to your dictates, +you wish to arrogate to yourself all the rights of a master, and, with +the empty title, leave me nothing but the onus of the position. You do +not wish for a recognition of your party; you wish for a subjugation of +every other. That is why you stake all upon a throw, and, believe me, +you will lose it."</p> + +<p class="normal">This was a bold speech to be addressed to such a man; it stung Ulric to +fury.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, as you seem to know so much about it, Herr Berkow, you may know +more for all I care! You are right. This is not a question of higher +wages or of a trifle more safety in the mines. That may be enough for +those who concern themselves only about their wives and children, and +think of nothing else all their lives long; the men of spirit among us +require more. We want to have the reins in our hands, to have our +rights as equals acknowledged and respected. It may be a hard lesson to +learn for those who have had unlimited authority up to this time, but +they will have now to treat with us. We have begun to understand at +last that it is we who toil and you who enjoy the fruits of our labour. +You have made use of our arms for this slavish work long enough, now +you shall learn to feel them."</p> + +<p class="normal">He hurled forth these words with exceeding violence, as though each of +them were a weapon with which he would strike down and slay his enemy. +All his outrageous passion burst forth anew, and the rage, which +included an entire class, concentrated itself for the time being on the +individual member of it now before him. As he stood there with clenched +fists, the veins in his forehead swelling, he seemed ready to follow up +his words with deeds.</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur, however, did not move a muscle or attempt to retreat by so much +as a step from the dangerous neighbourhood. He stood in that attitude +of cold, proud repose peculiar to him, and looked his adversary +steadfastly in the face, as if by the power of his eyes alone he could +fascinate and tame him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I think, for the present, you will have to leave the reins in hands +which are accustomed and able to hold them. That also must be learnt. +You may rise in rebellion and destroy existing institutions by brute +force, but you will never create new ones with it. Try to conduct these +works by the strength of your arms alone, to the exclusion of that +powerful element you hate so much, which directs your labour, gives +impulse to the machinery, and lends mind to your work. As yet this +guiding faculty belongs to us. Keep to your own sphere and rank in +life, and the equality of your rights will no longer be disputed. At +present you can only throw into the balance the weight of numbers, and +that will not suffice to give you the mastery."</p> + +<p class="normal">Ulric tried to answer, but his voice was choked by passion. Arthur cast +one look over at the forest where the red glow grew ever deeper and +deeper; then he turned to go.</p> + +<p class="normal">"If I could have foreseen that all conciliating words would be +unavailing, I should not have sought this interview. I have offered to +make peace with you and to let you remain on the works. Hardly any +other man would have made such a sacrifice, and it cost me an effort +before I could bring myself to do it. You have rejected my proposal +with scorn and hatred. You will be my enemy. Well, be it so then, but +the whole responsibility of what may now happen must lie with you. I +have striven in vain to stem the torrent of disaster. Whatever may be +the issue of the strife between us, you and I have done with each other +for ever."</p> + +<p class="normal">So saying, he turned his back on the miner and left him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Success to you," cried out Hartmann after him ironically, but Arthur +did not appear to hear. He was already at some little distance, and now +struck off into the road which led towards the houses.</p> + +<p class="normal">Ulric remained behind. Above his head the willow-branches swayed to and +fro in the evening breeze; over the meadows floated and curled a soft +white vapour, and up yonder over the tops of the pines there came once +more a weird blood-red flush which paled gradually until it faded +completely away. As the Deputy gazed at the flaming sky, his own face +caught a tinge of that sanguinary hue.</p> + +<p class="normal">"'We have done with each other.' No, no, Arthur Berkow, we are only +beginning now. I would not own to myself the cowardly feeling which +held me back, but I dared not attack him whilst she was by his side. +Now the way is open; now the time for a reckoning has come."</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XXII.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">In the capital there reigned all the busy movement of a summer +afternoon. A many-coloured ever-changing crowd thronged the main +streets, promenaders, people intent on business, and artisans +succeeding each other in one unbroken stream. All around unceasing +noise and the endless roll of carriages, great clouds of dust rising on +every side, and overhead the hot rays of the afternoon sun, already +falling obliquely, and lighting up the whole scene.</p> + +<p class="normal">From the windows of the Windeg mansion, situated in one of the +principal streets, a young lady was looking down on the hurry and +bustle below which had grown almost strange to her in the solitude of +her mountain home.</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie had returned to her father's house, and the short interval of +her married life seemed effaced and forgotten. In the family circle it +was rarely adverted to, and never except when some allusion to the +approaching separation had to be made. The sons followed in this their +father's example, and he kept silence on the subject at home, hoping +thereby to stifle every painful remembrance.</p> + +<p class="normal">At the same time he busied himself with those preliminary steps +necessary before entering on the judicial proceedings of the divorce. +Until this stage should be reached, the matter was not to be made +public. The servants and those few acquaintances, who were still in +town, knew no more than that the young wife had come on a visit to her +family, in consequence of some disturbances on her husband's estates.</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie occupied the rooms which had been hers before her marriage. +Nothing in them had been altered, and when, as in former days, she +stood at her favourite window, which opened on to a balcony, and looked +out, all the old well-known objects met her sight; she might never have +been away at all.</p> + +<p class="normal">The last three months could be nothing more to her than an ugly dream, +from which she had now awakened to the old freedom of her maidenhood, +and to a freedom far more complete than any she had known before, for +now there was no spectre of care haunting each step made by herself and +those dearest to her. Every new day would no longer bring fresh +humiliations and fresh sacrifices, each hour of the family life need no +longer be poisoned by the fear of what might happen on the morrow, of +possible disgrace, of ruin with all its fearful consequences. The noble +old race of the Windegs could now come forward once more with all the +prestige of wealth and power, for the Lord of Rabenau was rich enough, +when all former losses were covered, to make a splendid provision for +himself and all belonging to him.</p> + +<p class="normal">There was indeed one shadow still on all this new-born sunshine, and it +was caused by that plebeian name so detested by the Baron, and, at one +time, by Eugénie.</p> + +<p class="normal">But even this need only be a question of time. The beautiful talented +girl had formerly met with many admirers of her own rank, who would +sooner or later have become suitors for her hand, in spite of her +father's embarrassed circumstances; indeed, any man wedding Eugénie +Windeg might well forget that he would be taking home as his bride the +daughter of a poor and debt-laden house. Then the elder Berkow had +stepped in, had roughly interfered with all these plans and projects, +and destined the prize to his own son. He was able to demand that which +others must sue for, and he knew how to use his power. But now Eugénie +would be free, and her father could afford to give her a brilliant +dowry. He knew more than one among his peers who was ready, and not +from interested motives alone, to take up again the thread which had +been so rudely severed; and so, with the name, the last remembrance of +that former marriage would vanish for ever, and, by a union of suitable +rank, the young Baroness would be placed in a position equal, if not +superior, to that assigned to her by birth. Then the last spot on the +Windeg shield would be effaced, and it would shine out once more with +undiminished lustre.</p> + +<p class="normal">But the young wife hardly looked as calm and full of joyous hope as the +advent of so much good fortune might have led one to expect. She had +now been some weeks in her father's house, and yet the colour had not +returned to her cheeks, and her mouth had not learnt to smile again.</p> + +<p class="normal">Here, surrounded by all the love and care of her own people, she +continued pale and silent as she had been by the side of the husband +who had been forced upon her, and now, as she looked down on the crowds +below, there was not one in all that varying multitude who had power to +fix her attention for an instant. She gazed down on them with that +far-off dreamy look which sees nothing near at hand, but is intent on +some very different object in some far distant place. "In that city of +yours one loses everything, even one's love of solitude and the woods." +These words hardly seemed applicable here. Eugénie looked as if quite a +painful longing for them had taken possession of her.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron was in the habit of coming to his daughter's rooms for half +an hour before going for his afternoon ride. He came in now with a +graver face than usual and holding a paper in his hand.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I must trouble you with some business matters to-day, my dear," he +began, after a few words of greeting. "I have just had an interview +with our solicitor, which has proved more satisfactory than we could +have expected. The representative of the other side is empowered to +meet all our wishes, and the two have come to an agreement as to the +necessary steps to be taken. The whole affair will probably be settled +much more quickly and easily than we had dared to hope. I must ask you +to sign this paper, please."</p> + +<p class="normal">He held out the document to her. Eugénie stretched out her hand to take +it, and then suddenly drew it back again.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am to"----</p> + +<p class="normal">"Just to put your name here underneath, nothing more," said the Baron +calmly, laying the paper on a writing-table and pushing forward a +chair. Eugénie hesitated.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is a deed, I see. Ought I not to read it over first?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Windeg smiled.</p> + +<p class="normal">"If it were an important document, we should have given it to you to +read, of course, but it has reference only to the proceedings in +divorce. The demand will be made for you by counsel, but your signature +is required. It is a mere formality at the opening of the suit, the +details will follow later. If you would like to hear how it sounds, +I"----</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, no," interrupted she, "it is not necessary. I will sign, but it +need not be done at once. I am not in the humour for it now."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron looked at her in astonishment.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Humour? but you have only to sign your name. It will be done in a +minute, and I have promised your counsel to let him have it this +evening; he intends to present the petition to-morrow morning."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well then, I will bring it to you this evening signed. Only not now, I +cannot do it now."</p> + +<p class="normal">Windeg shook his head and looked displeased.</p> + +<p class="normal">"This is a very strange whim, Eugénie, and I do not understand it at +all. Why cannot you make this simple stroke of your pen now in my +presence? However, if you insist upon it .... I shall expect that you +will give it to me this evening at tea, there will still be time to +send it off."</p> + +<p class="normal">He did not notice that his daughter breathed a sigh of relief at these +words. Going up to the window, he too looked down into the street.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Will not Conrad come to me?" asked Eugénie, after a moment's pause. "I +have not seen him yet except at dinner."</p> + +<p class="normal">"He is very likely tired after his journey, and may be taking a little +rest. Oh, there you are, Conrad, we were just speaking of you."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young Baron, who came in at this moment, must have counted on +finding his sister alone, for he said with evident and not altogether +pleased surprise,</p> + +<p class="normal">"You here, sir? They told me you were having an interview with the +solicitor in the library."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is over, as you see."</p> + +<p class="normal">Conrad seemed to wish it had lasted a little longer. He made no answer, +but went up to his sister and sat down comfortably by her side. He had +only come up from the country that day at noon.</p> + +<p class="normal">A strange, and, in the Baron's sight, highly untoward chance had willed +that the regiment to which his eldest son belonged should be quartered +in the town nearest to the Berkow estates. Now, of all times, when the +connection had so entirely ceased! An extension of leave for the young +officer could not be thought of, as the rising of the miners throughout +the neighbourhood had produced much agitation in the province, and +riots were expected which might call for an intervention of the +military, so Conrad must return very shortly to the garrison-town, +where Berkow had, of course, many intimate acquaintances.</p> + +<p class="normal">He had already received strict injunctions from his father not to +mention the intended separation just at present. The Baron kept to his +original tactics; he would present the world with an accomplished fact. +For the rest, he fondly imagined, though he did not say so, that his +son would avoid all personal contact with his whilom relative.</p> + +<p class="normal">This supposition appeared to be correct; at least Arthur's name was +never mentioned in the young officer's letters, and the existing state +of things on his works only casually alluded to. Conrad had been sent +to the capital on some matter relating to his service. There had been +no opportunity as yet of talking freely; he had only been at home a few +hours, and, at dinner, the presence of guests had imposed some +restraint upon the family.</p> + +<p class="normal">Now, however, the objectionable subject having once been introduced in +reference to Eugénie's signature, the Baron inquired in a tone of the +utmost indifference, as if asking for news of a very slight and distant +acquaintance, how things were going on the Berkow estates.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Badly, sir, very badly," said Conrad, turning to his father, but +keeping his place at his sister's side. "Arthur fights like a man +against the misfortunes which are assailing him on all sides, but I am +afraid he will succumb to them at last. He has ten times more to battle +against than the proprietors of the other works. All his father's sins, +during twenty years of tyranny and oppression, are visited now upon +him, and he has to suffer, too, for all the reckless speculations of +later times. I cannot make out how he manages to struggle on. Any one +else would have given way long ago."</p> + +<p class="normal">"If the movement is growing too strong for him, I am surprised he does +not call in military aid," said the Baron coldly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is just it, but on this subject he won't listen to reason. For my +part," cried the young heir of the Windegs, with the characteristic +inconsiderateness of his class, "for my part, I would have shot down +the fellows long ago, and have forced them to leave me in peace. They +have given him cause enough, and if their ringleader goes on exciting +them, as he is now doing day by day, they will be burning his house +over his head soon. But it is all of no use, you may argue and pray. +'No, and once again no; so long as I can defend myself, no stranger +shall set his foot on my works!'</p> + +<p class="normal">"And to be frank with you, sir, they will be very pleased in the +regiment if our help is not required; we have had to give it too often +already during the last few weeks. At the other places round, things +were not half so bad as at the Berkow mines, yet the first thing the +owners did was to cry out for troops to protect them, and thereby place +themselves on a war-footing with their own people.</p> + +<p class="normal">"There have been some ugly scenes, and at such times, it is we who +always have to bear the brunt. We are not to proceed with harshness, if +it can be avoided, yet we are to make our authority respected, and the +whole responsibility of whatever may happen falls upon us. So the +Colonel and all the officers take it very kindly of Arthur that he has +held out, and still persists in holding out, against his rebels by +himself."</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie listened to her brother with breathless attention. He seemed to +look upon her as quite uninterested in the matter, and addressed +himself solely to his father. The Baron, who had noticed with rising +displeasure the constant recurrence of the word "Arthur," now said in a +tone of chilling reproof:</p> + +<p class="normal">"You and your comrades appear to be very well acquainted with all that +goes on at Herr Berkow's works."</p> + +<p class="normal">"The whole town is talking of it," declared Conrad, quite unmoved. "As +for me, I certainly have been out there pretty often."</p> + +<p class="normal">At this avowal his father gave a start of surprise.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You have been out to see him, and that frequently?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Perhaps the young man had observed the emotion which at his last words +had become visible in Eugénie's face. He took her hand in his now and +held it fast as he continued in the same careless way:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, yes, sir. You told me not to talk about that business, you know, +and it would have looked odd if I had ignored my brother-in-law +altogether, especially situated as he now is. You did not forbid my +going out there."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Because I imagined your own sense of propriety would have forbidden +it," said Windeg, highly incensed. "I took it as a matter of course +that you would avoid that connection, instead of which you appear to +have sought it, and that without writing one word on the subject to me. +Really, Conrad, this is too bad!"</p> + +<p class="normal">If he had told the whole truth, Conrad must have confessed that he had +feared to receive a direct prohibition, and so had prudently abstained +from all mention of his proceedings in his letters. In a general way he +stood in proper awe of his father's frown, but to-day Eugénie's +presence seemed to counterbalance its effect. He looked in her eyes, +and what he saw there must have made the paternal reproaches easy to +bear, for he even smiled as he answered quite unconcernedly,</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, I can't help it if I have taken such a liking to Arthur. You +would have done the same in my place. I assure you he can be perfectly +charming if he likes, only he is always so awfully grave. To tell the +truth, his gravity suits him very well, though. I said to him +yesterday, when I was coming away, 'If I had known from the first what +you were, Arthur'"----</p> + +<p class="normal">"Arthur!" interrupted his father, with his severest intonation.</p> + +<p class="normal">The son tossed his head rather defiantly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well yes, we call each other Arthur and Con, now, that is, I asked him +to. I don't see why we should not, he is my brother-in-law."</p> + +<p class="normal">"He is your brother-in-law no longer," said the Baron coldly, pointing +to the table. "There lies our petition for a divorce."</p> + +<p class="normal">Conrad glanced, not over tenderly, at the document in question.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, the petition. Has Eugénie signed it?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"She is about to do so."</p> + +<p class="normal">He looked at his sister. Her hand trembled in his, and her lips +quivered as if she could with difficulty repress her agitation.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, it seems to me, sir, that precisely with regard to this matter +of the divorce, Arthur has behaved in a way to make all reproachful and +bitter feeling towards him out of the question. It would be mean not to +do him full justice now. I never should have thought it possible that a +man could so shake off his languor and rouse himself to such energy as +I see in him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"All that he has been doing during the last few weeks, choosing always +exactly the right time and place to make his action felt, all the +horrible scenes and conflicts he has prevented, he alone in the midst +of those rebellious masses by the mere force of his presence and +personal influence--all that must be seen to be believed. He has become +a regular hero. That the Colonel and all the officers say; in fact the +whole town says so. The officials have behaved remarkably well, because +he is always at their head.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not one among them has left the works, but when I came away, they +seemed to have reached the extreme limits of endurance. The misfortune +is, Arthur has taken it into his head that no stranger shall come +between him and his people, and he is carrying out his resolution with +rare consistency. I think, if it comes to the worst, he is capable of +barricading himself and his staff up in the house and of making them +all defend themselves to the last man, rather than call for help. It +would be just like him!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Here Eugénie pulled her hand out of her brother's; she got up quickly +and went to the window.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron rose also with an expression of the most lively displeasure.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I really do not know, Conrad, how it is you answer a simple question +about the state of things on Herr Berkow's estate by so exaggerated a +panegyric of him. It shows a want of consideration for your sister +which I should not have expected from you, for you have always +professed to regard her with special affection. You will find yourself +in an awkward position when the divorce proceedings become known. What +figure you will then make with your eccentric admiration for this man, +which you appear to have paraded before the whole garrison, I leave you +to reflect. But now I beg this conversation may cease, you see how +painfully Eugénie is affected by it. Pray come with me."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Leave Conrad with me just a few minutes, papa," said his daughter; "I +should like to ask him something."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron shrugged his shoulders impatiently.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, be so good then as not to touch upon this subject again, and so +agitate yourself still more. In ten minutes the horses will be below, +Conrad. I shall expect you to be there. Good-bye for the present, +Eugénie."</p> + +<p class="normal">The door had hardly closed upon him, when the young officer rushed up +to his sister at the window, and threw his arm round her with rough but +unmistakable tenderness.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Are you angry too, Eugénie?" he asked, "was I really unfeeling?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie looked at him with passionate eagerness. "You have seen Arthur, +have spoken to him frequently, yesterday even, when you were coming +away. Did he send no message by you, absolutely none?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Conrad looked down. "He desired to be remembered to you and my father," +said he, rather crestfallen.</p> + +<p class="normal">"How? In what words?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"He called after me when I was in the carriage, 'Remember me to the +Baron and to your sister.'"</p> + +<p class="normal">"And that was all?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"That was all."</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie turned away. She wished to hide from her brother the bitter +disappointment which was written in her face, but Conrad held her fast. +He had her own beautiful dark eyes, but with him their expression was +bolder, more full of vivacity. At this moment, however, as he bent over +her, all his thoughtless gaiety had vanished, and given place to a most +unaccustomed earnestness.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You must have wounded him cruelly at some time, Eugénie, and in a way +he cannot get over. I would so gladly have brought you a line or a word +at parting, but it was not to be had from him. He would never talk +about you, but each time I mentioned your name he went deadly pale and +turned away, and then dragged in another subject by the ears, so as not +to hear any more, just exactly as you do when I speak to you about him. +By Jove! there must be a regular hatred between you two?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie tore herself free from him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Leave me, Con, for Heaven's sake! leave me, I can bear it no longer."</p> + +<p class="normal">A look almost of triumph passed over the young man's face, and there +was a ring of repressed joy in voice.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, I don't want to intrude upon your secrets. I must go now, or my +father will be getting impatient, he is in such an awful temper to-day. +I shall leave you alone now, Eugénie; there is that divorce petition to +be signed, you know. It will be ready, no doubt, by the time we come +home. Good-bye."</p> + +<p class="normal">He hurried off. The horses were standing before the door, and the Baron +was looking impatiently up at the windows above. The ride was not a +particularly agreeable one, for not only the eldest, but the two +younger sons, soon felt the effects of their father's ill-humour. Baron +Windeg could not endure that any one bearing the name of Berkow should, +in his presence, be spoken of in terms of praise; and, as he naturally +supposed his daughter to have the same feeling, he considered that an +offence had been offered both to her and to himself.</p> + +<p class="normal">Conrad had to bear many allusions to his "want of tact" and his "want +of consideration." He let it all pass very quietly, however; on the +other hand, he showed the most lively interest in the ride, or rather +in the duration of it. It was so long since he had been in town; the +drive on the outskirts was so animated and diverted him so much, that +he contrived to spin out the expedition to a considerable length, and +it was growing quite dark when the four returned to the city.</p> + +<p class="normal">In the meantime Eugénie had remained alone. Her door was locked, she +could endure no one near her now. The walls of her room and the old +family portraits which adorned them, had witnessed many a fit of +weeping, many a bitter struggle when the girl's marriage had been under +discussion, but none so cruel as the present, for now the battle was +with herself, and the enemy was not easy to conquer.</p> + +<p class="normal">There upon the writing-table lay the paper by which a wife prayed to be +judicially parted from her husband; only the signature was wanting. +When once that was affixed the divorce would really be gained, for the +consent of her husband and the Baron's influential connections assured +to the affair a speedy and favourable issue. She had refused to make +that all-important stroke of her pen, but it must be made now. What had +the one hour availed? It would be all the same whether the inevitable +step were taken sooner or later! But just then Conrad had come in with +his story, and had torn open afresh the wounds which had not yet ceased +to bleed.</p> + +<p class="normal">And yet her brother had brought her no message, not even a word of +greeting. "Remember me to the Baron and to your sister," that was all! +Why not rather "to Lady Eugénie," that would have been colder still and +more fitting. Eugénie went up to the writing-table, and her eyes +wandered over the words of the document. There too all was cold and +formal, though the fate of two people was decided by it. But Arthur had +willed it so. He it was who had first spoken the word of separation, +who first and unhesitatingly agreed to hasten it on; and, when she had +gone to him and declared herself ready to stay, he had turned from her +and bade her go. The blood rushed to her temple again, and she +stretched out her hand to take the pen.</p> + +<p class="normal">She was woman enough to know that this signature of hers would be a +blow to him, although he must be in a great measure prepared for it. +She had been able to interpret looks, and had been conscious of +unguarded moments in which he had betrayed himself; but, that he had +mastered his weakness to the very last moment, that he would not +understand when she hinted to him of the possibility of a +reconciliation, that he was peremptory to her as she had been to him, +that he opposed his pride to hers--these were offences for which he +must now suffer, even though the cost to herself should be tenfold +greater.</p> + +<p class="normal">The demon of pride rose up within her again in all its fatal strength. +How often had it successfully held the field against all better +feelings, not always for her own good or for that of others! But to-day +another voice made itself heard as well. "Arthur is fighting like a man +against the misfortunes which are awaiting him on all sides, but he +will succumb to them at last."</p> + +<p class="normal">And when he should so succumb, he would be alone, alone in his defeat +as he had been in the battle. He had no friend, no confidant, not one. +The officials might serve him devotedly, strangers might admire him; +but there was no one to cleave to, no one to feel for him, and the wife, +whose place was at his side, was at this moment signing the paper by +which she prayed for a separation with the briefest possible delay from +the husband whom she had already abandoned, and who was now struggling +day by day against imminent ruin.</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie let fall the pen and stepped back from the writing-table. After +all, what had been Arthur's crime? He had shown himself indifferent to +a wife who, as he believed, had married him solely with a view to his +wealth. When she had convinced him of his error, she had added +contemptuous words such as no man will bear if he has a spark of honour +in him. Here, too, his father's sins had been visited on him, and he +had abundantly suffered for them during his short married life.</p> + +<p class="normal">Since that first conversation no further trouble had come to her, +except that her husband had held back from her in distant coldness, but +he--what had he not endured? Eugénie best knew what the three months +had really been, which to those about them had presented only the +superficial calm of indifference, and which had held stings sharp +enough to irritate a man beyond endurance.</p> + +<p class="normal">It is possible to wound with every look, with every breath, and this +had been done. Looking down on him from the elevation of her rank and +position, she had tried to crush him into that pitiful nothingness +which, in her opinion, was his proper condition. Day by day she had +used her weapons, all the more ruthlessly when she found he was +vulnerable. She had made of his home a place of torment, of his +marriage a curse, and all this that she might revenge herself on him +for his father's unscrupulous treatment of her family. With fullest +intent she had driven him so far that he himself had proposed a +separation, because he could no longer endure life at her side. If, at +last, he drew himself up and pushed aside the hand which had so racked +and tortured him, whose was the fault?</p> + +<p class="normal">She sprang up from the seat on which she had thrown herself, and began +to pace up and down in terrible agitation as though trying to escape +from herself. She knew well what she was trying to obtain from herself, +whither her efforts were tending.</p> + +<p class="normal">There was but one thing now which could help and save, but that was +impossible, that could not be! If she were to make the sacrifice of all +her pride, and the sacrifice were not accepted frankly and freely as it +was offered? Might she not have been mistaken, have read those eyes +amiss; they had never been unveiled for more than an instant, and then +only reluctantly. If he were again to meet her with that same freezing +look, asking her by what right she was doing that which would have been +any other woman's simple duty? If he were again to say that he would +stand or fall alone, if he were to bid her go once more? No, never! +better the separation, better a whole life of misery and regret, than +incur the possibility of such humiliation.</p> + +<p class="normal">The departing sun, tipping the trees out yonder with gold, had long +since set and twilight had fallen, but it brought no quiet or coolness +to the heated overcrowded streets. Without, the sultry evening air was +full of the same hum and stir; the stream of people still passed and +repassed unceasingly, and the sound of voices and of the rattle of +carriages was still borne up confusedly to the windows above.</p> + +<p class="normal">But, through it all, another sound was heard, faint at first as a mere +whisper, but growing ever nearer, ever more distinct. Had it been +wafted over from those green forest-heights and made its way through +the great busy thoroughfares of the city up to the young wife's ears? +What it was she hardly knew; it was like the soughing of the wind in +the pine branches, and, through it, echoed once more all the old forest +music with its mysterious chords.</p> + +<p class="normal">There came back to her vividly that first glimpse of spring, those +bitter-sweet moments passed under the shelter of the friendly woods. +The mists rose up around her again, the storm howled, and the brooks +tumbled tumultuously down into the valleys below. Out of the thick grey +mist one figure stood out clear and definite--the one figure which +since that time had never left her sleeping or waking--and looked at +her reproachfully with its great brown eyes.</p> + +<p class="normal">He who has passed through such a crisis as this, when all the powers of +the soul are concentrated on the resolution shaping itself within, may +have known these rapid flashes of memory, may have seen again old +scenes in their fullest details rising up before the mind's eye, +without visible or external cause, but with a force irresistible.</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie felt that the air around her was full of these memories, felt +that, one after the other, the weapons were falling from her hands, +until at last there remained only the magic influence of that hour when +she had made the discovery that her hate was at an end, and that, in +its place, something else was springing up, something against which she +had striven, as it were, to the death, but to which she must now make +surrender.</p> + +<p class="normal">It was soon over, that last short struggle between the old demon of +unbending pride, unable to forgive the repulse it had once met with, +and the woman's heart telling her that she was loved, spite of all.</p> + +<p class="normal">This time the forest voices had not spoken in vain. They gained the +victory at last. The paper, which was to divide two people who had +sworn to be one for ever, lay torn upon the ground, and the young wife +was on her knees, raising her beautiful face, down which the hot tears +were streaming, and sobbing,</p> + +<p class="normal">"I cannot--I cannot do him and myself this wrong. It would strike home +to us both. Come what may, Arthur, I will stay by you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Where is your sister?" asked the Baron, when, an hour later, he +entered the lighted drawing-room and found his sons there alone. "Has +not Lady Eugénie been told that we are waiting for her?" he continued, +turning to the servant who had been preparing the tea-table, and was +about to leave the room.</p> + +<p class="normal">Conrad forestalled the answer.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Eugénie is not at home." said he, signing to the man to go.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not at home!" repeated the Baron, in astonishment. "Has she driven out +so late as this? Where can she have gone?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Conrad shrugged his shoulders.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I don't know. Directly I came in I ran up to her rooms. She was not +there, but I found this lying on the floor."</p> + +<p class="normal">He drew out a paper, and an odd little twitch played about his lips as, +seemingly with the utmost gravity, he pieced the two halves neatly +together and laid them before his father. The Baron looked down at +them, but could make nothing of it.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why, that is the petition drawn out by the proctor, which I gave to +Eugénie to sign! I will have the servants up. If she has really gone +out, they must know where the carriage was to take her."</p> + +<p class="normal">He laid his hand on the bell, but Conrad stopped him, and said very +quietly:</p> + +<p class="normal">"I think, sir, she must have gone to her husband."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Are you out of your senses, Conrad?" cried the Baron. "Eugénie gone to +her husband!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, I only fancy so. We shall soon know for a certainty, for I found +this note on her writing-table addressed to you. I brought it down, it +is sure to give us some information."</p> + +<p class="normal">Windeg tore open the envelope. In his hurry, he did not notice that +Conrad so far transgressed all etiquette as to go behind him and read +over his shoulder. There could be no mistake now about the triumphant +expression of the young officer's face. It was so evident, that the two +younger brothers, who understood nothing of what was going on, looked +first at him and then at their father with anxious and inquiring looks.</p> + +<p class="normal">The note contained only a few lines.</p> +<br> + +<p class="normal">"I am going to my husband. Forgive me, papa, for leaving so suddenly, +so secretly. I will not lose an hour, and I do not wish to encounter +your opposition; I must have withstood it, for my resolution is taken. +Do nothing more in the matter of the divorce, and recall that which has +been done already. I do not give my consent to it, I will not leave +Arthur.</p> + +<p class="right">"<span class="sc">Eugénie</span>."</p> +<br> + +<p class="normal">"Was such a thing ever heard of?" the Baron broke out, letting the note +fall from his hands. "A daughter of mine dares to change her mind in +this way and to make a clandestine flight from my house. She withdraws +herself from my protection, destroys all my hopes and plans for her +future, and goes back to this Berkow, who is on the very brink of ruin, +goes back among all those miners in revolt, when the whole +neighbourhood is in a state of anarchy. This verges on madness. What +has happened? I demand to be told, but first this senseless plan must +be frustrated, while there is yet time. I will go immediately" ...</p> + +<p class="normal">"The express train to M---- left half-an-hour ago," interrupted Conrad, +"and the carriage is just coming back from the station. It is too late +now, any way."</p> + +<p class="normal">At this moment the carriage, which had, no doubt, been used by Eugénie, +was heard coming in at the gates. The Baron began to see that it was +too late, and now the vials of his wrath were turned upon his son.</p> + +<p class="normal">He reproached him with being the sole cause of all. With his ridiculous +laudation of his brother-in-law, with his exaggerated accounts of the +man's situation, he had stung Eugénie's conscience, until a morbid +sense of duty had driven her to her husband's side, for no other reason +than because he was unhappy; and when once she was there, who could +tell whether a complete reconciliation might not come about, if Berkow +were selfish enough to accept the offered sacrifice?</p> + +<p class="normal">But Windeg swore by all that was dear to him, that he would carry +through the divorce in spite of all. The thing was set on foot, it was +in the hands of counsel, and Eugénie must and should be brought to +reason. He, the Baron, "would see whether he could not use his +authority as a father, although two of his children"--with a crushing +glance at poor Conrad, who, for the nonce, was the only criminal at +hand, "although two of his children appeared to disregard it +altogether."</p> + +<p class="normal">Conrad let the storm pass over his head, and spoke no syllable in his +own defence; he knew from experience that it was the best way. He sat +with drooping head and downcast eyes, as if he were a prey to the most +unmitigated remorse for the thoughtlessness of his conduct and the evil +it had wrought.</p> + +<p class="normal">But when the Baron, still furious, left the room and went to shut +himself up in his private apartments, there further to ponder and growl +over this incredible business, the young lieutenant sprang up with a +bound, the roguish expression of his handsome face and the sparkle in +his eye telling plainly how little the paternal anger had gone to his +heart.</p> + +<p class="normal">"To-morrow morning Eugénie will be with her husband," said he to his +brothers who now assailed him with questions and reproaches, "and my +father may try to come between them with his lawyers and paternal +authority as much as he pleases. Arthur will take good care of his wife +when once he knows she belongs to him; he has not known it so far. As +for us," here he cast a very meaning glance at the door by which his +father had disappeared, "we shall have stormy weather for the next +week. The worst is yet to come, when my father finds out how things +really are between those two, and that something else is in question +here than mere conscience and a sense of duty.</p> + +<p class="normal">"One comfort is, Arthur will have sunshine; with it and Eugénie at his +side he will win through, never fear. Thank goodness, there is an end +of the divorce suit, courts of justice and counsel included, and if one +of you has a word to say against my brother-in-law, let him say it to +me. I'll answer him."</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIII.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">Early in the forenoon of the following day a postchaise, travelling +along the road from M----, came to a halt at the entrance of the valley +where lay the Berkow works, the first outlying buildings of which were +already to be seen quite close at hand.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Don't do it, my lady," said the driver, speaking to some one inside +the carriage.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You had far better turn back with me as I begged you to do at the last +station; I heard of it there, and the peasants we just met on the road +told us of it again. There are battle and murder up on the works +to-day. Quite early this morning the men were pouring in from all the +villages around, and there is the devil to pay now out yonder. With the +best will in the world, I can't take you up to the house. I should be +risking my horses and the chaise too. When these fellows are once in +revolt, they spare neither friend nor foe. Must you go up there just +to-day? Could you not wait until to-morrow?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The young lady, who was the sole occupant of the carriage, made no +reply, but opened the door and stepped out.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I cannot wait," said she gravely, "but I will not endanger you or your +property. It is not more than a mile, I can easily go there on foot. +You can turn back."</p> + +<p class="normal">The driver renewed his warnings and remonstrances. It seemed very +strange to him that this unknown and elegant lady, who had paid him so +liberally, urging him at the same time to use the utmost speed, should +now venture alone into the tumult. He obtained nothing from her, +however, by his entreaties. She impatiently signed to him to turn back, +and at last, shrugging his shoulders at her persistency, he made up his +mind to obey.</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie took a footpath which did not lead direct to the works, but ran +across the meadows towards the upper entrance to the park, and where +she would in all probability be safe. If it came to the worst, she +would, at all events, find protection and an escort in one of the +officials' dwelling-houses, which lay in that direction. How necessary +both might be, she certainly had not known when, yielding to a sudden +impulse, she had set out on this journey alone, and even now she did +not understand the full extent of the peril to which her present +expedition exposed her.</p> + +<p class="normal">It was not the possibility of danger which brought that heightened +colour to her cheeks, that restless sparkle to her eye, which made her +heart beat so violently that she was forced to stop every now and then +to take breath. It was the fear she felt of the coming decision. That +heavy dream-like feeling, which had come upon her on leaving her +husband's home, had hung about her during all the weeks of the +separation.</p> + +<p class="normal">Neither the old home, nor her people's love, nor the bright and happy +prospects opening out before them all, had sufficed to rouse her. That +dreamy sense of unreality had clung to her with painful oppressiveness +and with many a vague longing. Now the awakening had come, and all her +thoughts were bent on the one question.</p> + +<p class="normal">"How would he receive her?"</p> + +<p class="normal">She had just reached a small solitary house, forming, as it were, the +extreme outposts of the works, when she saw a man hurrying towards her. +He started with a look of terror as he recognised her.</p> + +<p class="normal">"My lady! For Heaven's sake, how did you come here, and to-day of all +days?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, Manager Hartmann, is it you?" said Eugénie, going up to him. +"Thank God I have met you! Troubles have broken out on the works, I +hear. I had to leave my carriage out yonder, the driver dared not bring +me on. I am going on foot up to the house."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Manager shook his head, and replied hastily:</p> + +<p class="normal">"You cannot, my lady, you cannot go up now. To-morrow perhaps, or +perhaps towards evening, but not now."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why not?" cried Eugénie, turning very pale. "Is our house threatened? +Is my husband" ...</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, no, Herr Berkow is not mixed up in it today. He is up at the house +with all the officials. This time the trouble is among themselves. +Some of the men wanted to take to their work again this morning, and my +son" ....</p> + +<p class="normal">Here the old man's face worked with agitation.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well! you must know it before long! My son was furious about it. He +and his party have driven them back, and set a guard round the shafts. +The others won't put up with that, and now they are banding themselves +together. The whole works are in revolt, every man against his +neighbour. Merciful goodness! what will happen next?" cried the +Manager, as, in spite of the distance, rumours of the wild clamour and +uproar were borne distinctly over to them.</p> + +<p class="normal">"But I intended to avoid the works," urged Eugénie. "I was going to try +and gain the park by the path across the meadows, and so on to" ....</p> + +<p class="normal">"For Heaven's sake, don't go there!" interrupted the old man. "Ulric +and all his followers are holding a meeting out in the meadow yonder. I +was on my way to try once more if I could not make him listen to +reason, and induce him, at all events, to set the shafts free. We are +going against our own flesh and blood now, but he has neither eyes nor +ears for anything in his fury. Not that way, my lady, it is the most +dangerous of all."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I must go up to the house," Eugénie declared resolutely. "I must go, +cost what it may. Come with me, Hartmann, only as far as the houses. In +case of the worst, I can stay there until the road is clear again. At +your side I shall be secure at least from open violence."</p> + +<p class="normal">The old man shook his head sadly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I cannot help you, my lady. Now that we are all in arms, one against +the other, my own life is hardly safe in the midst of this strife and +turmoil, and if once they get to know who you are, my being at your +side would be of very little use. There is only one man now they feel +any respect for, who can make himself obeyed in case of need, and that +is my Ulric. But he hates Herr Berkow mortally, and he hates you too +because you are the master's wife. Good God!" broke off the old man +suddenly, "here he comes! There has been mischief doing again, I can +see it in his face. Go out of his sight just for the present, I implore +you."</p> + +<p class="normal">He pushed her through the half-opened door of the little cottage, and +he had hardly done so, when steps and loud voices were heard +approaching. Ulric was coming up the road followed by Lawrence and +several other miners. His face was crimson, and on his brow lay a +thunder-cloud ready at any moment to explode. He was talking excitedly +as he came along, and he did not notice his father's presence.</p> + +<p class="normal">"If they are our mates and our brothers, no matter! Down with them +directly they turn traitors to us. We gave our word to stand by each +other, and now they crawl up to the old collar like cowards and desert +us and our cause. They shall be made to pay for it. Are the shafts well +guarded?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, but" ...</p> + +<p class="normal">"I'll have no buts," cried the leader imperiously to the man who would +have ventured to hazard an objection. "That was about the one thing +wanting, treason in our own camp, just as we are on the eve of victory. +They shall be driven back by force, I tell you, if they make the least +attempt to go below. We will teach them their duty and their proper +place, if they have to learn it at the cost of a few broken heads."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But there are two hundred of them," said Lawrence gravely, "and +to-morrow there may be four--and, if once the master steps in and +begins to talk to them--you know how that tells! We have seen it often +enough of late."</p> + +<p class="normal">"If there were four hundred," shouted Ulric, "if half our people were +on their side, we would fight them with the other half and beat them +too. I'll see if I can't make myself obeyed! But now, forward, lads. +Karl, you go over to the works and bring me word if Berkow is meddling +in the matter and talking to the men in that cursed way of his, getting +hundreds to desert from us again. You others, back to the shafts. See +that the way to them is thoroughly blocked, I will come myself +presently. Off with you!"</p> + +<p class="normal">His command was at once obeyed. The miners hurried off in the +prescribed directions, and Ulric, seeing now for the first time that +his father was standing by, hurried up to him and said,</p> + +<p class="normal">"You here, father? Why, you ought to be"----all at once he stopped, +rooted to the ground; his face grew deadly white, every drop of blood +slowly receding from it, and his eyes were fixed and dilated as though +he had seen a ghost. Eugénie had come out of the house and was standing +before him.</p> + +<p class="normal">A sudden thought had flashed into the young wife's mind, and instantly +she acted on it without staying to reflect on the boldness and the +peril of her venture. She was bent on going to her husband at any cost, +and now she must overcome the horror with which this man had inspired +her ever since she had discovered the true reason of her power over +him. She had often put this power to the proof; now the time had come +to turn it to account.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is I, Hartmann," said she, mastering an involuntary shudder and +appearing before him calm and composed. "Your father was just warning +me not to go on my way alone, and yet I must go on."</p> + +<p class="normal">At the sound of her voice, Ulric seemed first to realise that it was +actually Eugénie Berkow who stood before him, and no mere vision of his +heated fancy. He would have rushed up to her, but that look and tone +still kept their old influence over him. As he listened, a calmer and +milder expression came over his face.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What are you doing here, my lady?" he asked uneasily, his rough +imperious manner softening into one that was almost gentle. "There is +ill work among us to-day, which is not for women to see, least of all +for you. You must not stay here."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I want to go to my husband," said Eugénie quickly.</p> + +<p class="normal">Formerly she had almost invariably spoken of Arthur as "Heir Berkow;" +now she called him her husband, in a tone which seemed to make Ulric +understand all that was implied in that one word.</p> + +<p class="normal">In the first moment of his surprise he had not reflected how or why she +had come there so suddenly; now he glanced quickly, first at her +travelling dress, and then around, as though in quest of her carriage +and attendants.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am alone," said Eugénie, catching this glance, "and it is that which +prevents my going on. I am not afraid of any actual danger, but of the +insults I might be exposed to. You offered me your escort and +protection once, Hartmann, when I did not need them. Now I mean to make +a claim on both. Lead me over to the house. You can, if you will."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Manager had stood by, anxiously looking on, expecting that at any +moment his son might attack the wife of a master he so hated, and ready +to rush in between them. He could not understand Eugénie's tone of +quiet assurance towards a man whom she, like every one else, must know +to be the real instigator of the whole rebellion. Now as she made this +request wishing to entrust herself to the rebel leader's safe keeping, +the old man's bewilderment knew no bounds. He looked at her in +horrified amazement.</p> + +<p class="normal">As to Ulric, he was roused to violent anger by the demand made upon +him. That milder gleam had vanished, and the old imperious defiance had +come back to him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am to lead you over?" he said in a low hoarse voice. "And you ask +that of me, my lady, of me?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I ask it of you." Eugénie kept her eyes steadily fixed on his face, +feeling that so her power over him would be greater. It seemed now, +however, to have reached its limits. He burst out like a madman.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Never, never! I would rather see the house stormed, see it pulled to +the ground, than take you there again. What? he up yonder is to have +you at his side again, so that he shall take courage and resist to the +last? He is to have the triumph of knowing that you have come away from +the city by yourself and made your way through the whole place in +revolt, just that he should not be left alone? But you may look for +another guide for that, and if you find one"--with a threatening look +at his father--"he shall not go far with you, I'll take care of that."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ulric, control yourself, you are speaking to a lady!" cried the +Manager, stepping between them in mortal fear. He naturally saw nothing +in this scene but an outbreak of that unrestrained enmity which his son +had long cherished towards the whole Berkow family, and he took up a +position before his master's wife, determined, come what might, to +protect and shield her. She pressed by him, however, gently but +resolutely.</p> + +<p class="normal">"So you will not go with me, Hartmann?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, a hundred times, no."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well then, I shall go alone."</p> + +<p class="normal">She turned away in the direction of the park, but with two strides +Ulric reached her and placed himself before her, barring the road.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Back, my lady, you can't get through, I tell you, least of all, this +way where my men are. Lady or not, it is all the same to them now. Your +name is Berkow, and that is enough. As soon as they find out who you +are, you will have them all upon you. You cannot and shall not go over +there now. Stay here where you are."</p> + +<p class="normal">These last words were spoken imperatively and in a tone of menace, but +Eugénie was not accustomed to submit to orders, and the almost +delirious violence with which he was striving to keep her from Arthur +called up in her a vague anxiety and dread lest things should be worse +with him than she had been led to believe.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I shall go to my husband," she repeated very resolutely, "and I shall +see whether on my way to him any one dares stop me by force. Let your +friends assault a woman, give the signal for it yourself, if you care +to take the credit of the heroic deed. I shall go."</p> + +<p class="normal">And she went; darting by him and taking the path which led across the +fields.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmann stood gazing after her with eyes which glowed again, paying no +heed to his father's prayers and remonstrances. He understood better +than the old man what she intended by this venture, what she wished to +compel him to. But this time he would not yield to her. She might +perish on the threshold of her own house, in sight of her husband, +before he would take her back to the arms of a man he hated, before +he ...</p> + +<p class="normal">At this moment a troop of miners made their appearance, excited and +uproarious, coming from the place of meeting to rejoin their leader. +The foremost of them was only some hundred paces off. They had already +noticed the solitary female figure before them; in another minute she +would be recognised, and he himself had, but half-an-hour ago, been +goading on these men to blind fury against all that bore the name of +Berkow.</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie went forward to meet the danger, not attempting even to conceal +her face. In his desperation Ulric stamped on the ground; then he tore +himself free from his father, and in an instant was at her side.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Put down your veil," he said, and grasped her hand with an iron grasp.</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie obeyed, drawing a deep breath of relief. She was safe now; she +knew he would not loose his hold on her hand again, if all the men on +the works were to attack them at once. She had gone on deliberately to +meet the danger, with full consciousness of what she was doing, but +also with the conviction that nothing short of her visible and imminent +peril would win for her that protection which had been refused.</p> + +<p class="normal">They now came up to the troop of insurgents, who at once attempted to +throng round their leader so as to place him in their midst, but he +briefly and emphatically bade them make way, and ordered them over to +the shafts without loss of time. They obeyed at once as their comrades +had done previously, and Ulric, who had not halted for so much as a +second, drew his companion on more rapidly than ever. She began to see +plainly how impossible it would have been for her to force a passage +through by herself, and how idle any other protection would have proved +than that which was at her side.</p> + +<p class="normal">This stretch of meadow-land, usually so peaceful, was to-day the scene +of busy surging tumult, although the actual strife was confined to the +neighbourhood of the shafts. Knots of miners were trooping about, or +standing closely grouped together in noisy conference. Everywhere angry +faces and threatening gestures were to be seen, everywhere turmoil and +confusion reigned paramount, an object only seemed wanting for them to +give vent to their wild excitement by some deed of violence.</p> + +<p class="normal">Happily, the footpath skirted the edge of the fields where the tumult +was relatively less, but even here Ulric no sooner showed himself than +he became the centre of observation, and was greeted everywhere with +loud shouts, in which there mingled a certain note of surprise. A host +of astonished, distrustful, suspicious glances were levelled at the +female figure by his side. No one guessed that, attired in that dark +travelling-dress and thick veil, the master's wife was passing through +their midst. Had any one fancied he recognised her gait and bearing, +such a notion would have been scouted by the others.</p> + +<p class="normal">Ulric Hartmann was protecting her, and he would most surely never have +accorded his protection to any one connected with the house of Berkow; +still it was a lady who was walking with him, the Manager's rough, +uncourteous son, though he cared nothing for women generally, not even +for Martha Ewers, who was cared for, in some degree, by almost every +unmarried man in the place.</p> + +<p class="normal">Ulric, who, at a time like the present, looked upon and treated his +comrades' wives as an unnecessary burthen to be shaken off as much as +possible, Ulric was now playing the guide to this stranger, and there +was a look on his face as though he would strike down any one who +ventured a step too near her. That short walk, which lasted barely ten +minutes in all, was a bold experiment even for the young leader +himself, but he showed that here, at least, he was master, and that he +knew how to make use of his power.</p> + +<p class="normal">Now, by a few imperious words, he dissolved a group which stood in his +way; now, again, he issued orders and instructions to a troop of miners +bearing down upon him, which took them off in another direction; to +those who would have pressed round with questions and reports of what +was going on he cried,</p> + +<p class="normal">"By and by, I am coming back!" and all the time he never lost a moment, +but drew his companion swiftly on, so as to prevent discovery or delay.</p> + +<p class="normal">At last they reached the park, closed at this spot by a wooden gate +only. Ulric pushed it open, and stepped inside with her under the +sheltering trees.</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is enough," he said, letting go her hand. "The park is safe +still, and in five minutes you will be at the house."</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie was still trembling at the danger they had passed through, and +her hand ached from the iron pressure of his. She put back her veil +slowly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Make haste," said he with bitter sarcasm. "I have honestly done my +part towards helping you back to your husband. You will not keep him +waiting now?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie looked up at him. His face betrayed the torture she had +inflicted, by placing before him the alternative of witnessing an +attack upon her, or of himself leading her to her husband.</p> + +<p class="normal">She had no courage to thank him, but she put out her hand in silence.</p> + +<p class="normal">Ulric pushed it away.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You asked much of me," he said. "So much that it was within a hair of +miscarrying. Now you have your will. Do not attempt to compel me again +as you did to-day, especially when <i>he</i> is by; for, if you do, I swear +I will give you both up to your fate."</p> + +<p class="normal">On the terrace before the house stood the two servants, Frank and +Anthony, gazing over in the direction of the works with anxious yet +curious looks. They started back no less affrighted than the old +Manager had been, for, without the sound of carriage wheels to announce +her coming, and unattended even by her maid, they suddenly saw standing +before them their mistress, whom they supposed to be far away in the +distant capital.</p> + +<p class="normal">She could not possibly have come through the works, still less by +way of the park, for out on the meadows at the back things were even +worse--yet she was there! They were both so confounded, they could +hardly answer her hasty question, but she managed to find out that Herr +Berkow was at that moment at home, and hurried past them up the steps.</p> + +<p class="normal">Frank, who followed her, had even more ground for astonishment, for she +hardly allowed him to take her hat and shawl, and, when he would have +hastened with the news of her arrival over to the wing occupied by his +master, she bade him stay, and said she would go and announce herself. +The man stood with the cloak in his hand, staring after her with open +mouth. It had all passed like a whirlwind. What could have happened in +the city?</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie passed rapidly through the several rooms in succession, until +all at once she stopped. Arthur's study was near at hand, and from it +the sound of voices met her ear. She had so surely reckoned on finding +her husband alone, had wished to come to him thus unexpected, +unannounced, and now she found him in the company of a stranger!</p> + +<p class="normal">Ah! she could not meet him in the presence of another! Eugénie stood +undecided whether to stand back or to remain. At last she stepped +noiselessly behind the heavy <i>portière</i>, the folds of which almost hid +her from view.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is impossible, Herr Berkow," said the sharp clear voice of the +chief-engineer, "If you push forbearance further, you will do it to the +injury of those who are beginning to take to their work in an orderly +manner. They beat a retreat on this occasion, because they were the +weaker, but we shall have worse and bloodier scenes than what took +place this morning. That was only a hand-to-hand skirmish. Hartmann has +shown that he will not spare his own people if they rebel against his +system of terrorism. Friend and foe may suffer alike, but his +principles must be upheld."</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie could see through the open door into the room. Just opposite +her at the open window stood Arthur, the full light falling upon his +face, which had grown so much more sombre since last she had seen it. +Even then the shadow of care had lain on his brow; at that time, +however, it had been new to him and had not marked itself there +indelibly, but now two deep furrows were graven which probably would +never again be effaced.</p> + +<p class="normal">Each separate line in his face was sharper, more severely defined; the +look of energy, which then had but newly dawned and was only distinctly +visible in moments of excitement, had now become the dominant +expression of his countenance even when at rest, and had altogether +replaced the old dreamy air; his voice and manner were alike firm and +decided. It was evident that he had learned in a few weeks that which +it takes others years to acquire.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I should certainly be the last to advise seeking help from without, if +it could be avoided, but I do think that now we, and you in particular, +have abstained from it long enough. There really can be no blame to us +if, at length, we have recourse to measures which were employed on the +neighbouring works long ago without any such pressing necessity as +ours."</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur shook his head sadly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The other works can be no rule for us. A few arrests, a few slight +wounds, and matters were settled there. Fifty men and three or four +shots in the air were sufficient to quell the whole revolt. Here they +have Hartmann at their head, and we all know what that means. He would +not yield to a bayonet charge, and all his party are ready to stand or +fall with him. They would challenge us to do our worst, and, to buy +peace, we must sacrifice some lives."</p> + +<p class="normal">The other was silent, but his significant shrug showed that he was of +the same opinion.</p> + +<p class="normal">"But if peace is to be had in no other way?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"If it were to be had at all! but it is not, and the sacrifice of life +will be made in vain. I can crush the rebellion for the time being, but +in a year, in a few months perhaps, it will break out again, and you +know as well as I do that the last chance of keeping on the works would +be gone from me then. Elsewhere there are some signs of returning +confidence and of a juster feeling; elsewhere the people seem to be +coming to their senses again, but that is not to be hoped with us. The +distrust sown during long years cannot be speedily overcome. Hatred and +hostility was the watchword given out against me when I came here; it +is the watchword still, and, if once I cause blood to be shed, all will +be over for ever between us."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hartmann may venture to bring his recusant followers back to obedience +by open combat and to impose his will on them by force, he will still +remain their Messiah to whom they look for salvation. If I were to +order one shot to be fired, if I take up arms in my own defence, I +shall be called a tyrant, ready to murder them in cold blood, and +taking delight in their destruction. The old Manager was right that +day, when he said: 'If troubles break out here among our people, the +Lord have mercy upon us!'"</p> + +<p class="normal">There was no complaint, no dispirited lament in these words, only the +bitterness of a man who finds himself at length borne to the very verge +of that precipice to avoid which he has in vain been straining every +nerve.</p> + +<p class="normal">Probably the young master would have so spoken to no other. The +chief-engineer was the only person who seemed to have drawn nearer him +of late. He had stood by him so steadfastly through all the danger, +helping so actively to carry out all the necessary measures, and he was +the only one to whom Arthur would occasionally speak freely, passing +beyond the mere instructions and encouraging speeches which were all +the other officials ever heard from his lips.</p> + +<p class="normal">"But some of the hands are willing to take to work again already," +objected the elder man.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And that is just what compels me to make war on the rest. There is no +making terms with Hartmann. I have tried to do so and failed."</p> + +<p class="normal">"With whom? You have tried what?" asked the other, with such a +horrified expression that Arthur looked at him in surprise.</p> + +<p class="normal">"To come to an understanding with Hartmann. It was not done officially, +it is true, that might have been interpreted as a sign of weakness. It +was when we met one day accidentally that I held out my hand to him +once again."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You should not have done it," interrupted the other almost +passionately. "Held out your hand to that man! But I had forgotten, you +know nothing as yet."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I should not?" repeated Arthur sharply. "May I ask what you mean, sir? +Be satisfied that I am well able to maintain the dignity of my position +even on such an occasion as that."</p> + +<p class="normal">The chief-engineer had already regained his composure.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Excuse me, Herr Berkow, I intended in no way to criticise your +conduct as master of the works, it was in your position as the son that +I----but you are ignorant of the reports connected with your father's +last moments. We agreed not to mention them before you; it was done +with the best intention, but now I see that we were wrong, that you +must be told. You would have offered Hartmann your hand, and that, I +repeat, ought not to have been."</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur looked at him fixedly. His face had grown colourless and his +lips quivered.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You speak of Hartmann and of my father's death. Is there any +connection between the two?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I fear so, we all fear so. General suspicion rests upon the Deputy, +not among us alone, but among his fellow-miners."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Down there in the shaft," cried Arthur terribly agitated. "A murderous +assault on a defenceless man! I do not believe that of Hartmann."</p> + +<p class="normal">"He hated the deceased," said the chief-engineer emphatically, "and he +has never denied his hatred of him. Herr Berkow may have exasperated +him by some word, some command. Whether the ropes really broke, and he +seized the moment of danger to save himself and hurl the other down +into the depths below, or whether the whole thing were premeditated, is +all a dark mystery, but innocent he is not, that I'll answer for."</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur was evidently deeply moved by this disclosure; he leaned heavily +on the table.</p> + +<p class="normal">"At the inquest it was proved to be an accident," said he in an +unsteady voice.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Nothing at all was proved at the inquest, so they concluded it was an +accident and let it pass as such. No one dared make an open accusation, +proofs were wholly wanting, and there would have been endless conflicts +with the miners if their leader had been taken up on suspicion and then +discharged, as he, no doubt, would have been. We knew, Herr Berkow, +that, under existing circumstances, a struggle was inevitable between +you and him, and we wished to spare you the bitterness of knowing your +adversary for what he is. That was why we kept silence."</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur passed his hand across his brow.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I never dreamt of that, never! Even though it be nothing more than a +suspicion, you are right, I should not offer that man my hand."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That man," broke in the official, speaking with much energy, "that +man, as leader of the rest, has brought the whole misfortune on us, +that man has constantly heaped coals on the fire and kept up the +strife, and now that he sees his power is on the decline he is doing +all he can to make the breach irreparable, and a reconciliation +impossible. Can you, will you, spare him still?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I spare him? No! I had done with him when he so roughly repulsed the +overture I made him, but I cannot spare the others either after what +has happened to-day. I am driven to take extreme measures. There were +two hundred this morning who wanted to return to work, and they +certainly have the right to require protection at their labour. The +shafts must be secured at any cost, and I cannot do it alone, so"----</p> + +<p class="normal">"So ...? We are waiting your orders, Herr Berkow?"</p> + +<p class="normal">There was a pause of a minute, then the struggle visible in Arthur's +face yielded to an expression of pained but firm resolve.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I will write to M----. The letter shall go today. It must be."</p> + +<p class="normal">"At last!" murmured the chief-engineer, half reproachfully. "It was +high time!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur turned to his writing-table.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Go over now and see that the Director and the other gentlemen remain +at the posts I assigned them when I was at the works. It would have +been useless to interfere in all the clamour this morning; perhaps now +it may be possible. In half-an-hour I shall be with you. Should +anything particular occur before send me word over at once."</p> + +<p class="normal">Before leaving the room the official stepped up to his side again.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I know what the resolution has cost you, Herr Berkow," he said +earnestly, "and we none of us take the thing lightly, believe me, but +we must not look on the dark side. Perhaps it may be settled without +bloodshed after all."</p> + +<p class="normal">He bowed and left the room, much too hurried and too preoccupied to +notice Eugénie, who, at his approach, retreated still farther behind +the sheltering curtain. Without looking to the right or the left, he +passed rapidly through the adjoining room and closed the door after +him. Husband and wife were alone together.</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur had only replied by a bitter smile to the chief-engineer's +parting words.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Too late!" he said to himself, "they will not yield until blood is +shed. I must reap what my father has sown."</p> + +<p class="normal">He threw himself down on a chair and leaned his head on his hands. Now +that he had not to meet the eyes of strangers, now that he need no +longer play the leader on whose resolution all depended, the look of +energy faded from his face, and, in its place, came one of exhaustion, +such as may overcome the strongest man when, for weeks at a stretch, +his powers of mind and body have been overwrought and strained to the +uttermost.</p> + +<p class="normal">It was a moment of despairing dejection, coming naturally enough to one +who had striven on and on, and all in vain, against the curse of a past +in which he himself had not been to blame, except in so far as he had +held himself aloof from the duties of it. Now the fatal inheritance was +his alone, and the weight of it almost crushed him to the earth.</p> + +<p class="normal">The accusing words against his father, which had escaped his lips, had +been silenced in the self-same moment by the terrible suggestions he +had listened to respecting the manner of that father's death. Yet to +his predecessor was it solely due that he, the son, was now driven to +the last terrible necessity, that, with ruin staring him in the face, +deserted by his wife, forsaken by all his former friends, he was forced +to resort to the only means which might yet save himself and all that +he could still call his own from an enmity sown and nourished for many +a long year, and whose fruits he was now compelled to taste. Arthur +closed his eyes and leaned his head back on the arm-chair. He was worn +out.</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie had noiselessly left her hiding-place and had stepped on to the +threshold. Forgotten now the peril she had passed through, forgotten +the accusations she had heard with such feelings of horror, forgotten +even the man on whom they rested and all that had reference to him.</p> + +<p class="normal">Now that she was so near her husband, she saw and thought of nothing +but him. The veil, which had so long divided them, would now be torn +away. All would be made clear, and yet she hesitated and trembled at +the coming decision as though sentence of death were about to be passed +on her.</p> + +<p class="normal">If she had been mistaken, if she were not received as she had hoped to +be, as, after the sacrifice she had wrung from her pride, she felt she +must be received .... The blood rushed violently to the young wife's +heart, and it throbbed in an agony of suspense. Everything for her hung +on the next minute.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Arthur!" she said very softly.</p> + +<p class="normal">He started up, as though he had heard a voice from the dead, and looked +around him. There in the doorway, close to the spot where she had bade +him farewell for ever, stood his wife.</p> + +<p class="normal">In that first moment of recognition all consideration and reflection +vanished; he rushed towards her and the cry of joy which was wrung from +his lips, the radiant brightness of his eyes, revealed all that up to +this hour had been disavowed by the self-restraint of months.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Eugénie!"</p> + +<p class="normal">She breathed freely, as though a mountain load had been lifted from her +heart. The look, the tone with which he spoke her name gave her at last +the long questioned certainty, and even though he stopped short in his +hasty advance towards her, trying, as a protection against himself, it +seemed, to take up the old mask once more and veiling that tell-tale +glance, it was too late, she had seen too much!</p> + +<p class="normal">"Where do you come from?" he asked at length, recovering himself with +difficulty, "so suddenly, so unexpectedly, and how did you get up to +the house? The works are in open revolt, you cannot possibly have +passed by them."</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie drew nearer slowly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I only arrived a few minutes ago. I had indeed to force my way +through. Do not ask me how, at present, enough that I forced it. I +wanted to be with you before danger reached you."</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur tried to turn from her.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What does this mean, Eugénie? Why do you speak in that tone? Conrad +has been making you anxious, though I entreated him not, though I +expressly forbade him to do so. I want no sacrifice made from +generosity or from a sense of duty. You know it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, I know it," she returned steadily. "You sent me from you once +before with those words. You could not forgive me that I had once done +you a wrong, and in revenging yourself for it, you nearly sacrificed +both yourself and me. Arthur, who was the hardest, the unkindest, of us +two?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"It was not revenge," he said in a low voice. "I set you free, you +wished it yourself."</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie was standing quite close to him now. The word, which once no +consideration on earth would ever have forced from her lips, was so +easy to speak now that she knew herself to be beloved. She raised full +upon him her dark eyes, all dewy with tears.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And if I tell my husband that I will have no freedom away from him, +that I have come back to share with him whatever may befall us both, +that I--that I have learnt to love him, will he once more tell me to +go?"</p> + +<p class="normal">She received no answer, at least not in words, but already she was in +his arms, and they held her in an embrace so close and warm, it seemed +as though they would never again give up the prize they had won at +last.</p> + +<p class="normal">As she lay there and felt the passionate caresses he showered upon her, +she knew how cruel a blow her loss must have been, and all that her +return was to him at a moment like the present. She saw a radiance in +those great brown eyes, such as she had never before seen there, not +even during those old bright lightning-like flashes.</p> + +<p class="normal">The spell was broken. The world so long lying perdu had risen from its +depths up to the broad light of day, and some instinct must have +revealed to the young wife all the treasures that world held for her, +for she laid her head upon her husband's breast, yielding herself up to +him in fullest trust and confidence, as he bent over her whispering,</p> + +<p class="normal">"My wife! my treasure!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Through the open window came a breezy rustling greeting from the green +wooded heights up yonder. Those forest-voices must have their say and +mingle their whispers in the new-found bliss. Had they not helped to +create it? Long ago they had understood, these two, before the two had +learnt to understand themselves, at a time when they stood face to face +in haughty contest, and spoke the word of separation in the very moment +when their hearts were meeting.</p> + +<p class="normal">But the contention and pride of the children of men avail but little +when, with their loves and hopes, they come within the magic circle +traced by the spirit of the mountains, as, amid the surging mists, he +travels through his dominions in that first early hour of spring--and +that which meets then, will cleave together for evermore!</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIV.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">The day which had begun so stormily for the Berkow colony ended in +comparative quiet, such as could hardly have been looked for after the +scenes of the morning. Any one unacquainted with the situation might +have taken the calm, which towards evening fell upon the works and +their neighbourhood, for the most peaceful repose. But it was only a +truce, and, after this pause of a moment, the storm would break forth +again with redoubled fury.</p> + +<p class="normal">In the Manager's dwelling there reigned a brooding, oppressive silence, +covering so much that was disastrous. The old man sat dumb in his +arm-chair by the stove. Martha went about the room, making work for +herself and casting an occasional glance at Ulric, who, with folded +arms, paced gloomily and silently up and down the little space. No one +spoke to him, and he spoke to no one.</p> + +<p class="normal">The old confidential footing, which, owing to the young Deputy's +unmanageable conduct, had, it is true, often enough led to violent +quarrels, but as often to reconciliation afterwards, had long ago +ceased. Ulric ruled at home as absolutely as he ruled abroad among his +partisans; even his father ventured no longer to oppose him, but, here +as there, he governed only through fear. There was no talk now of love +or confidence.</p> + +<p class="normal">The silence had lasted long, and would probably have lasted longer if +Lawrence had not come in. Martha, looking through the window, saw him +approach and went to open the door for him.</p> + +<p class="normal">The relations between these young engaged people seemed strangely cold. +In spite of that day's grave work, which had little in common with +tender passages, the girl's welcome might have been warmer; perhaps at +so troubled a moment it ought to have been warmer, or so the young +miner seemed to feel, for he looked hurt, and broke off in the middle +of his cordial little speech. Martha did not notice it, however, and he +turned hastily from her towards Ulric.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well?" asked the latter, pausing in his walk.</p> + +<p class="normal">Lawrence shrugged his shoulders.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Just as I told you. To-morrow four hundred of them will report +themselves for work, and as many more are hesitating and balancing what +to do. You are hardly sure of half now."</p> + +<p class="normal">This time Ulric did not exclaim violently as was his custom on such +occasions. The savage irritation he had shown in the morning about the +desertion of a comparatively small number of his followers contrasted +oddly with his present almost unnatural calm.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hardly half now," he repeated. "And how long will they hold out?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Lawrence evaded an answer.</p> + +<p class="normal">"All the younger men are with you. They have been on your side from the +first, and they will stand by you still even if there should be trouble +at the shafts again to-morrow. Ulric, will you really go such lengths +as that?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"He will go all lengths," said the Manager, standing up. "He will go on +until they all drop off from him one by one and he remains quite alone. +I told you before, you will never succeed with your senseless demands +and your senseless hatred. It was fitting enough towards the father; +but in truth and conscience the son has not deserved it. What he +offered you was sufficient; I ought to know after all, for I have +worked in the mines in my time, and I can feel for my fellows as well +as another.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Most of them would have gladly accepted it too, but they were cried +down and threatened, until not a man among them dared move a finger, +just because Ulric had set his mind on getting more than was possible. +Now it has been going on for weeks, with all the misery and care and +want, and it has all been in vain. There comes a day at last when the +starving wife and children at home have to be thought of before +everything, and that day we have reached now. You have brought us to +it, Ulric, and nobody but you; now let there be an end of it." The old +man had risen; as he spoke, he fixed on his son a look which had +something of menace in it, but even this reproach, which at another +time would have aroused Ulric to angry defiance, now failed to ruffle +his gloomy composure.</p> + +<p class="normal">"There is no arguing with you, father," he said coldly. "I have known +that a long while. You are satisfied if you can eat your bit of dry +bread in peace, and anything beyond that seems foolishness or a crime +to you. I have staked everything on a throw. I thought to succeed, and +I should have succeeded if that Berkow had not stood up all at once and +shown us a front of iron. If we fail--well, Karl says, I am sure still +of half the men, and with them I will let him see what it costs to get +the better of us. He shall pay dearly enough for his victory."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Manager looked at Lawrence, who was standing by with bowed head +taking no part in the discussion, and then again at his son.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Look to it first whether the half will remain true to you, if the +master interferes in the matter again as he did this morning. That lost +you the other half, Ulric. Do you think it has no effect upon them that +he should behave as he has from the very first day you began to +threaten him? Do you think they don't feel, all of them, that he is +their match and yours too, and that he is able to hold them in hand +himself, if ever it should chance that you cease to be their master? +The first set took to work again this morning; they would have done it +three weeks ago if they had dared. Now that they have made a beginning, +there will be no stopping them any more."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You may be right, father," said Ulric in a low hollow voice, "there +may be no stopping them now. I have built on them as on a rock, and +they are but thin sand running through my fingers. Berkow has learnt +how to draw the cowards to him with his fine speeches and cursed way of +stepping in among them, as if there were no stones to fly at his head +and no mallets to be used, if necessary, on the person of our respected +lord and master. That is just why they dare not attack him. I know why +he carried his head so high to-day all of a sudden, why he came into +the midst of all the uproar, looking as if success and happiness could +never fail him more, and I know too that they are coming back to him. I +myself guided them to his arms this morning."</p> + +<p class="normal">The last words were lost in the banging to of the door which he had +opened while speaking, and no one present understood them. Ulric +stepped out into the open air and threw himself down on a bench.</p> + +<p class="normal">The unnatural calm, which to-day pervaded his whole being, was almost +alarming in a man accustomed to give the reins to his wild passionate +nature. Whether the defection of his comrades had wounded him to the +core, or whether some other feeling had been at work within him since +the morning, it seemed that the proud certainty of victory, which he +had shown even in those hours, was paralysed now, if not destroyed.</p> + +<p class="normal">Past the little garden flowed the broad brook which, farther on in its +course, served to turn the wheels now standing idle. It was a +mischievous ill-regulated stream, this brook, it had nothing of the +murmuring and silver-clear twinkling of its companions up in the hills, +yet it too came from out of the mountain depths, close to where the +shafts were situated. How often had it tried to draw harmless little +children at play into its eddying course, so as, at least, to frighten +and torment, though it dared not injure or kill, and so to revenge +itself for having been made to lend its aid to man's machinery and +labour.</p> + +<p class="normal">The dark rapid flood looked weird in the last glimmer of the evening +light, and still more uncanny was the brawling of its waters as it +flowed by, hissing at times and babbling, full of scoff and of +mischief, as though down below in the depths of the mountains it had +learnt the tricks of the earth-gnome, how he weaves his toils round the +men who are ever trying to drag his treasures from him, and how he has +claimed as his due many a young warm life and buried it down in the +regions of endless night.</p> + +<p class="normal">There was nothing holy in its murmuring flow, and this was no holy hour +in which its sound ascended to the young miner's ear as he sat there +motionless, staring down before him as though harkening to some +mysterious voice.</p> + +<p class="normal">He had sat there for some time when he heard a step approaching, and +directly afterwards Martha stood before him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What do you want?" asked Ulric, never turning his eyes from the +stream.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I wanted to see where you were staying all this while, Ulric," said +she with repressed anxiety in her tone.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Where I was staying? Your sweetheart is there within, keep your care +for him. Let me be where I am."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Karl has gone again," said Martha hastily, "and he knows well enough +that it can do him no harm if I talk a bit with you."</p> + +<p class="normal">Ulric turned round and looked at her. He seemed glad to tear himself +from the thoughts which that brawling voice below had awakened in him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Listen, Martha; Karl puts up with more from you than any one else +would stand. I would not suffer you to meet me in that manner. You +should not have said 'yes,' if you had no heart for him."</p> + +<p class="normal">The girl turned away almost angrily.</p> + +<p class="normal">"He knows I have no heart for him. I told him so when we gave each +other our word. He would have me consent. I can't alter it, at least +not now; perhaps I shall learn to after the wedding."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Perhaps!" said Ulric, with a sarcasm so deep and cutting as to seem +inapplicable to the words he spoke. "Perhaps! So much is learnt after +the wedding, with others at least, and why not with you?"</p> + +<p class="normal">He looked down again at the dark flowing water, as if he could not tear +himself away from it. There below was the same low plash and murmur, +whispering to him only evil, evil thoughts.</p> + +<p class="normal">Martha still stood a few paces off. That shyness and dread of him +which, since the "accident," had been felt by all about him, had +fettered her also. For weeks she had avoided every meeting, all contact +with him, but to-day the old inclination had sprung up again strong +within her, and had drawn her forcibly to the spot where he was. She +was not deceived by that strange calm, she guessed what lay behind it.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You cannot get over the desertion of the men?" she asked gently. "But +half of them are with you still, and Karl will stand by you to the last +minute."</p> + +<p class="normal">Ulric smiled contemptuously.</p> + +<p class="normal">"To-day there are still half, to-morrow there will be a quarter, and +the day after---- Don't talk of it, Martha! As for Lawrence, he has +never had more than half a heart for it. He has stood by me and not by +the cause; by me, because I was his friend, and there will soon be an +end of his friendship too. He cares far too much for you to have any +very honest liking for me now."</p> + +<p class="normal">The girl turned to him with a hasty gesture.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ulric!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, there is nothing in that to hurt your feelings. You would not +have me when I asked you to be my wife. If you had, it would have been +better in many ways."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It would not have been better," said the girl decidedly. "I am not +made of stuff to endure all that Karl puts up with so patiently from +day to day, and things would have been between you and me much as they +are now between me and him, only I should have been the one who had all +to bear. I never had the least bit of your heart, your love was given +elsewhere, in quite a different place."</p> + +<p class="normal">There was bitter reproach in her words, but even this allusion could +not rouse Ulric to-day. He was standing up now and gazing over towards +the park as it lay shadowy in the distance, searching, as it were, for +something between the trees.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You mean I might have done better nearer at home, if I had sought for +it, and you are right; but this is not a thing to be sought after, +Martha. It seizes you all at once, and never looses you again while +there is breath in your body. I have learnt to know it I have given you +pain, my girl; now for the first time I know how much. But, believe me, +no blessing comes with such love; it gives one more to suffer than the +bitterest hate."</p> + +<p class="normal">Words like these, nearly approaching to a prayer for forgiveness, +sounded strangely from Ulric Hartmann's lips; he was little used to ask +whether he gave pain or not. There was about him a sort of dull +resignation quite foreign to his nature, and the grief which moved him +now was all the more profound that it showed itself by no passionate +outburst. Martha forgot her repugnance and her fear, and went close up +to his side.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What ails you, Ulric? You are so strange to-day. I have never seen you +like this. What is the matter?"</p> + +<p class="normal">He pushed the curly hair from his brow, and leaned up against the +wooden gate.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I don't know. Something has been weighing on me all day long. I +can't shake it off, and it takes my strength from me. I want it for +to-morrow, but directly I try to think, all grows black and dark before +me, as if there lay nothing more beyond, as if to-morrow all would be +at an end--all!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Ulric started up suddenly with a dash of his old spirit.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Absurd nonsense! I think the water down there has bewitched me with +its confounded brawl. I have so much time just now to be listening to +it, really! Good-bye."</p> + +<p class="normal">He turned to go, but the girl held him back anxiously.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Where are you going? To see the men?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, I am going first on an errand of my own. Good-bye."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ulric, I implore you, stay!"</p> + +<p class="normal">But the young miner's short-lived softened mood was over already. He +tore himself free impatiently.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Let me go. I have no time for talk--another time!"</p> + +<p class="normal">He pushed open the garden gate, and, setting off in the direction of +the park, soon disappeared in the growing darkness.</p> + +<p class="normal">Martha stood with folded hands, looking after him. Wounded feeling and +bitter pain strove together in her countenance, but the pain gained the +upper hand.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No blessing comes with such a love."</p> + +<p class="normal">The words found an echo in her heart. She felt that there was no +blessing on hers either.</p> +<br> + +<p class="normal">Meanwhile Eugénie Berkow sat alone in her husband's study. There had +been little opportunity as yet for these two to enjoy their newly-won +felicity. Twice had Arthur been compelled to leave her; in the morning +when he had thrown himself into the thick of the tumult and quelled it +for the time being, and now again when he had been called away to a +conference with the officials.</p> + +<p class="normal">But, in spite of her anxiety about him and of the dangerous situation +in which they were placed, the young wife's face beamed with a +reflection of that deep inward happiness which, gained at the cost of +many an arduous struggle, was no longer at the mercy of outward storms. +She was with her husband, at his side, under his protection, and Arthur +was, it seemed, a man able to make his wife forget all else in that one +fact.</p> + +<p class="normal">Suddenly a door was opened, and steps resounded in the adjoining room. +Eugénie rose to meet the newcomer, whom she naturally took for her +husband, but her first feeling of surprise at seeing a stranger gave +way to one of terror as she recognised Ulric Hartmann.</p> + +<p class="normal">He was startled too at seeing her, and stood still in some +embarrassment.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah, it is you, my lady! I was looking for Herr Berkow."</p> + +<p class="normal">"He is not here, I am expecting him," she answered quickly, in a +trembling voice.</p> + +<p class="normal">She knew what a source of danger this man had been to Arthur, what a +part he had played here on the works, yet she had not hesitated to +trust herself to his protection, when that morning it had seemed her +only chance of reaching the house. Between the morning and evening, +however, had come the hour in which she had stood by and listened to +the accusations brought against him by the chief-engineer.</p> + +<p class="normal">They were based on suspicion alone, but even the suspicion of so +dastardly and perfidious an act as the assassination of a defenceless +man is something terrible, and she had shuddered with horror at the +thought of it. She could trust herself to the openly-declared and +ruthless enemy of her husband, but she shrank back from the hand which +was possibly dyed with the blood of her husband's father.</p> + +<p class="normal">Ulric noticed the movement only too plainly. He still stood on the +threshold, but in his voice there was a tone of unmistakable scorn.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have alarmed you by coming. It was not my fault that I had not +myself announced. You are ill served, my lady. Neither on the stairs +nor in the corridors did I meet with one of your lacqueys. I should +very likely have thrust them out of my way, if they had refused me +admittance, but the noise of it would have been a sort of announcement +in itself."</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie knew that he could have come in without hindrance. The two +servants were, by Arthur's express command, stationed in the ante-room +leading to her own apartments. In the excited state of men's minds, now +that every restraint was loosed and all order overthrown, it might be +that some would so far profit by the general license, as to attack, or +at least to force their way into, the house.</p> + +<p class="normal">Anxiety and an uneasy restlessness had driven Eugénie over to her +husband's rooms. They were situated in another wing, and from their +windows she would see him come, but the entrance to them was unguarded +and she was there quite alone.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What do you want, Hartmann?" she asked, summoning up her courage. +"After all that has happened, I did not think you would attempt to +enter our house again and to gain access to Herr Berkow's private +rooms. You know that he cannot receive you now."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It was just on that account I was looking for him. I have a few words +to say to him. I thought I should find him alone. It was not you I was +seeking, my lady."</p> + +<p class="normal">He stepped a little nearer to her as he said these words. Eugénie +retreated involuntarily; he laughed out with a bitter laugh.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What a change a few hours may make! This morning you were begging for +my protection and leaning on my arm as I led you through all the noise +out there. Now, you fly from me as if your life were not safe when I am +by. Herr Berkow has used his time well, he has painted me in the +colours of a robber and a murderer, has he not?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The young wife's delicate eyebrows contracted angrily, as, mastering +her agitation, she replied shortly and sternly,</p> + +<p class="normal">"Leave me! my husband is not here, you see yourself, and if he were to +come now, I should hardly leave you alone with him."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why not?" asked Ulric slowly, but lowering darkly at her. "Why not?" +he repeated more vehemently as she remained silent.</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie's fearless nature had often led her into acts of imprudence. +She did not reflect now on the possible consequences of her words, as, +returning his gaze steadfastly, she hazarded the dangerous answer,</p> + +<p class="normal">"Because your company has been fatal to one Berkow already."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmann started, and turned very pale. For one moment it seemed that +he would break out with all his old violence, but no! his features +still wore that rigid calm, and he spoke in the same dull under-tone he +had used throughout the interview.</p> + +<p class="normal">"So that was it? Truly, I might have known it would find its way to you +at last."</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie looked on in surprise. She had not expected such calmness as +this, it struck her as unnatural, yet she was stimulated by it to a +still greater venture. She had that morning tested her power and found +it to be great.</p> + +<p class="normal">If it were only for Arthur's sake she longed for a certainty as to this +man who stood opposed to him in the fight, and she felt that though the +truth should be denied to all the world beside, it would not be so to +her.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You know what I mean then?" she began again. "You understand to what I +allude? Hartmann, can you solemnly declare the reports connected with +that unhappy hour to be false?"</p> + +<p class="normal">He crossed his arms on his breast, and looked moodily to the ground.</p> + +<p class="normal">"If I were to do so would you believe me?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie was silent</p> + +<p class="normal">"Would you believe me?" he asked again, in a tone as though life or +death hung on her answer.</p> + +<p class="normal">She let her eyes rest for a moment on his face. It was fully turned +towards her now, and she saw that it was ashy pale, and, like his +voice, betrayed an agonised tension of feeling.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You might be capable of a crime, I think, if you were stung to +passion. I do not think you are capable of a lie."</p> + +<p class="normal">Ulric's mighty chest heaved with a deep sigh of relief. As though +completely to re-assure her, he stepped back again away from her.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ask me what you please, my lady, I will answer you."</p> + +<p class="normal">She trembled a little and leaned against the back of the sofa. It was a +dangerous colloquy, she felt, to hold with such a man, but still she +put the all important question.</p> + +<p class="normal">"They tell my husband that it was not by mere accident the ropes broke +on that fatal day. How was it, Hartmann?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"It was accident or something better, if you will, justice perhaps. +Our employer had caused alterations to be made in the pumps and +lifting-machine, just what was indispensable to keep them working, but +nothing to ensure safety. It was the same in this as in everything +else. What did it matter if a few hundred miners, constantly going up +and down, were every day brought in danger of their lives? Double and +treble the loads were lifted, the most outrageous weights were raised, +and at last the weights did their work, only this time the victim was +not one of the men, but the master himself. It was no man's hand, my +lady, which severed the ropes just at the moment when they were bearing +him up, and mine least of all. I saw the danger coming, we had just +reached the last stage but one. I risked the leap and"----</p> + +<p class="normal">"You thrust him?" said Eugénie breathlessly, as he paused.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, I only let him go. I could have saved him if I would. Half a +minute would have been sufficient. I must have risked my own life, it +is true; he might have dragged me down with him, but for any one among +the men, for any of the officials even, I should have risked it; for +that man I could not! In that instant the thought rushed through my +head of all the evil he had done us, that the fate now threatening him +was only what he had exposed us to, day by day, for nothing but to save +money, and that I would not meddle in the matter if for once Providence +chose to be just. I did not move a hand, in spite of his cries. Next +minute it was too late; the cage had been dashed below and he with it."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmann was silent. Eugénie looked up at him half in pity, half in +horror. She knew well enough that the accusations he had heaped on the +dead man were merited. Even she, however, would, in a moment of peril, +have stretched forth her hand to save the hated Berkow, but the man +opposite her had learnt neither to forgive nor forget. He stood quietly +by, and saw his enemy perish before his eyes.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You have told me the whole truth, Hartmann? On your word of honour?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"On my word of honour."</p> + +<p class="normal">His eyes met hers without flinching. There was no doubt now in her +mind, and she answered reproachfully.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And why did you not clear up the error? Why did you not speak to the +others as you have done to me?"</p> + +<p class="normal">A scornful look passed over his face.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Because not one of them would have believed me. Not a single one, not +even my own father. He is right. I have been wild and reckless all my +life, flinging down everything that stood in my way, and not caring for +what others said to me. I have had to pay for it now. They all knew +that I hated the man, and the accident happened when I was by, so I +must have been the cause of it, there could be no doubt as to that. My +own father told me so to my face, just because I could not say 'yes' at +once, when he asked me if I was in no way to blame for Berkow's death.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I should only have had to stretch out my arm to save him and I had not +done it--because I could not say yes at once, he would not listen to me +any more. He would not have believed me, if I had sworn it to him. Then +I tried here and there among my mates. They did not contradict me, but +I saw in their faces that they took me for a liar. I was not going to +beg and pray them to believe me, so I let the thing go as it would. I +had had enough of their friendship and companionship. If I had been +brought into court and had found that matters were going against me, I +should have spoken out, but it is a question if any one there would +have believed what I said."</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie shook her head.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You should have made them believe you, Hartmann; you could have done +it, if you had tried in earnest, but your pride would not suffer it. +You met suspicion with contempt, and that was the very way to +strengthen it. Now you have an ill name on all the works, with the +officials and with my husband."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What do I care for Herr Berkow?" he broke in roughly, "what do I care +for any of them? It is all the same to me whether they condemn me or +not, but I could not bear that you should turn from me in loathing, and +you believe me now, I see it in your eyes. The rest is all one to me."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do believe you," said Eugénie earnestly, "and my husband's mind, at +least, shall be cleared of those worst suspicions. If you failed to +save, where rescue was possible, it is not for us to judge you. You +must answer for it to your own conscience, but Arthur shall not think +that it is his father's murderer who stands opposed to him. It is too +late now for a reconciliation, you have gone too far for that. It is +only within the last few hours that I have learnt all that has +happened, all that yet may happen, if the attack on the shafts is +renewed to-morrow. Hartmann," she was imprudent enough to go right up +to him and to lay her hand on his arm. "Hartmann, we are on the verge +of a frightful catastrophe. You have compelled my husband to protect +himself and those belonging to him, to prepare himself for whatever may +befall, and he is determined to do it. If blood is shed, must needs be +shed, to-morrow, think on whose head it will be?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Her close vicinity, the touch of her hand on his arm, were not without +effect on Ulric, but this time they worked no good. The dull quiet tone +in which he had spoken hitherto was changed now; his voice grew sharper +and louder, as he replied:</p> + +<p class="normal">"On mine, you mean? Take care, my lady, you may have to suffer too, if +for instance, some one you are very fond of should be made to answer +for it. Herr Berkow will not stay securely here at home when there is +fighting going on outside. I know that, and I know too whom I shall +seek out first when once the battle is fairly on."</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie had long ago withdrawn her hand, now she moved away from him, +warned by that tone and look. He was still but as a half-tamed tiger, +obeying her voice one minute, but ready perhaps the next to rise up +against her with all the old fury of his savage nature. That minute +seemed to be at hand. His look had menace in it even to her.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hartmann, you are speaking to your employer's wife," she said, making +a vain attempt to recall him to his senses.</p> + +<p class="normal">"My employer!" cried he in scorn. "There is no question of my employer +here. I have only to do with him when I am at the head of my men. It is +Arthur Berkow I hate, because you are his wife, because you love him, +and I ... I love you, Eugénie more than any one in the whole wide +world. Do not shrink from me so in horror. You must have known it long +ago.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It has mastered me each time I have come near you. I have kept it down +and tried to crush it by force, but it was of no use. It is of no use +now either, though to-day again I have had to learn the old lesson that +like cleaves to like, and that nothing is left for such as we are but +disdain and just a haughty shrug of contempt, even though we should +have risked our lives in your service. But next time there is a life to +be lost, I shall not be the one to offer myself up madly, as I did on +the day of your home-coming, by rushing under your horses' hoofs. Next +time the peril shall be another's, not mine. I have hated one Berkow to +the death already; it seemed to me then I never could hate any one +worse, but I know better now. He did not make a murderer of me; but +there is one man, and only one in the world, who could! I did the +father no hurt, but, if ever I find myself so, man to man, with the +son, then it shall be he or I ... or, if it must be, both!"</p> + +<p class="normal">It was a terrible moment. The man's frenzied passion had burst all +bounds and broken loose in a wild torrent which nothing now could stem +or stay. Eugénie saw that no words would avail her at the present +crisis, she understood that her power was at an end. She could not +escape, he had placed himself between her and the door, but she ran to +the bell and pulled it with all the force at her command. The servants +were upstairs at the other side of the house, still it was just +possible the sound might reach their ears.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmann had followed her; seizing her hand, he would have dragged it +from the bell rope, but at that moment he was himself thrust back by an +arm to which indignation lent such strength that it flung his giant +form aside as though he had been a child. Arthur stood between them. +With a cry of joy and yet of mortal fear, Eugénie rushed to her +husband; she knew what would come now.</p> + +<p class="normal">Ulric recovered himself quickly and no sound passed his lips, but his +face was so distorted by rage as to be hardly recognisable. There came +a look in his eye, as he turned and faced his enemy, which foreboded +that enemy's immediate destruction; but Arthur, with quick presence of +mind, tore down one of the pistols which hung over his writing-table, +and throwing his left arm round his wife, he levelled the weapon at the +intruder.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Back, Hartmann! Do not dare to come nearer. One step forwards towards +my wife, one single step, and I stretch you on the ground."</p> + +<p class="normal">The threat took effect. Almost blinded by passion as he was, Ulric saw +the barrel pointed at him with a firm and sure aim, saw too that the +hand which held it did not tremble; at the second step he took forward +the bullet would strike him, and his foe would remain victor. He +clenched his fist and gnashed his teeth in his rage that a like weapon +was wanting to him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have no pistols," said he, "or we should meet here on equal terms, +as we never have met yet. You are better provided than I. I have +nothing but my fists to set against your bullets, it is easy to see who +would get the best of it."</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur kept his eyes steadily fixed upon him. "You have taken care, +Hartmann, that we should always have at hand arms ready for use. I +shall protect my house and my wife even at the cost of a bullet. Back, +I repeat."</p> + +<p class="normal">For one second the two looked each other full in the face, as on that +first occasion, so pregnant with consequences, when they had measured +each other's strength: now, as then, victory declared itself for the +young master, though, in the pass they had now reached, other means of +coercion had been needed than the look of his undaunted eyes. He stood +motionless, his finger ready to press the trigger, following every +movement of his foe, until the latter receded.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have never set much store by my life," said Ulric. "I should have +thought you both might have known that, but I am not going to let +myself be shot down at your door. I have accounts to settle with you. +You need not tremble so, my lady, you are in his arms, and he is safe, +for the present at least, though we have not finished with each other +yet. You stand there together as if nothing could tear you apart, as if +you were bound one to the other for ever and ever; but my time will +come yet, and then you shall have cause to remember me."</p> + +<p class="normal">So saying, he went; his departing steps echoing through the adjoining +room, then more faintly in the ante-chamber, until at last they died +away outside.</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie nestled more closely in her husband's arms; she had learned to +know now how well they could protect her.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You came at the right moment, Arthur," said she, trembling still. "I +had left my rooms in spite of your warning. It was very imprudent, I +know, but I wanted to wait for you here, and I thought in the house I +should be sure to be safe."</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur lowered the pistol, and drew her nearer to him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"But you were not, we have gained that experience. What was Hartmann +doing here in my study?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do not know. He was looking for you, and certainly with no good +intent."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am prepared for anything from that quarter," he answered quietly, as +he laid the pistol on the table. "You see, I had provided for any such +emergency, but I greatly fear it was only the prelude to what will take +place to-morrow, when the real drama begins. Does it frighten you, +Eugénie? The help we have sent for cannot be here before evening; we +shall have to hold out alone all day against the rebels."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Nothing frightens me when I am with you. But, Arthur," she pleaded +anxiously, "do not go out by yourself again into the midst of all that +tumult, as you did this morning. He will be there, and he has sworn to +take your life."</p> + +<p class="normal">He raised her head gently and looked into her eyes.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Life and death are not in Hartmann's hands alone; their decision rests +with another. Make your mind easy, Eugénie; I will do my duty, but I +will do it in a different way than in the days gone by. I know now that +my wife is anxious about me; that is not a thing one forgets so +easily!"</p> + +<p class="normal">On the terrace outside stood Ulric Hartmann. Darkness had fallen now, +and the expression of his features was no longer discernible as he +gazed up at the windows of the house he had just left, but his voice +was low and hoarse with emotion as he repeated the threat he had before +used with reference to Arthur Berkow,</p> + +<p class="normal">"He or I, or, if it must be, both!"</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XXV.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">Next morning! The thought of it had filled not only Arthur and his +wife, but every one connected with the Berkow establishment, with grave +and anxious care. It had come now, that dreaded morning, and all the +apprehensions which had been felt respecting it seemed likely to be +realised.</p> + +<p class="normal">At a very early hour the whole staff of officials was assembled at the +great house. They had either come to hold counsel or had taken refuge +there; it almost seemed the latter, for the men's faces were pale, +haggard, excited, and there was a great buzz of talk going on among +them, much anxious discussion pro and con, proposals rejected as soon +as made, and many fears expressed as to coming events.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am still of opinion that it was a mistake to arrest those men," +Schäffer declared, speaking to the Director. "It might have been risked +if the soldiers had been on the spot, but it should never have been +attempted by us, while we are unsupported. They will storm the house to +set the prisoners free, and we shall be obliged to give them up."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Excuse me, we shall do nothing of the kind," cried the chief-engineer, +in complete opposition to his two colleagues as usual. "We shall let +them storm, and we shall hold out and defend ourselves here in the +house if necessary. Herr Berkow is determined to do it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, you ought to know best what he has decided on doing; you are his +only adviser," said the Director, rather piqued. He could boast of no +such intimacy with the proprietor, although his position would rather +have entitled him to it.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Herr Berkow is in the habit of deciding for himself," replied the +chief-engineer, drily. "Only it happens this time as usual that I fully +agree with him. It would be contrary to all right and justice, it would +be nothing better than mere paltry cowardice, to let these miscreants +go. Why! they had avowed an intention of destroying the engines for +us."</p> + +<p class="normal">"By Hartmann's order," interposed Schäffer.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It does not signify who gave the order. Their master arrived just in +time to hinder them from performing their rascally trick, and I should +like to see the man who would calmly have let the offenders go. He had +them arrested, and he was right. Hartmann was not by, he was still down +at the shafts in the thick of the row, but he could not prevent the +others going below after all; his own father went and stood up against +him."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, it was a good thing the Manager came to our aid," said the +Director. "He must have seen there was no other way of averting the +worst, for he came to us of his own free will this morning and offered +to take the lead of the men going on shift, though it is no part of his +business. He knew his son would not venture to attack him, and not one +of the others lifted a hand against their mates when they saw their +leader held back. If the descent was made, we have only the old man to +thank for it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I tell you this," maintained Schäffer, "the descent had been +accomplished, more than half the miners had stood by neutral, and if +they had not been exasperated by the arrest of their comrades, the +whole business might have been settled peaceably and quietly."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Peaceably and quietly, while Hartmann is in command?" the +chief-engineer laughed outright. "There you are quite mistaken. He was +looking for a pretext, no matter what, to attack us, and, if he had +found none, he would have attacked us all the same without. This +morning's work must have shown him that his power is rapidly drawing to +an end, that perhaps after to-day he may not be able to count on his +partisans, so he will risk his last throw. The fellow knows he is lost, +and he will drag down with him recklessly all who obey him still +through habit or through fear. He will stand at nothing now, and least +of all at injuring us."</p> + +<p class="normal">Here they were interrupted by Herr Wilberg, who left the window where +he had been posted for the last ten minutes and came back to them with +a very white face.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The noise gets worse and worse," said he timorously; "there can be no +doubt that they mean to besiege the house, if Herr Berkow does not give +way. The park-gates are down already, all the beds are trampled up. Oh! +and all those lovely roses blooming on the terrace"----</p> + +<p class="normal">"Don't come bothering us with your sentimental nonsense," cried the +chief-engineer, as the Director and Schäffer hurried to the window. +"Now when the rebels are storming the house about our heads, you are +thinking of your trampled-down rose-trees. Why don't you go and sit +down and put your lamentation over them into verse? I should think it +would be just the theme to inspire a poet."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have been so unfortunate for some time as to excite your displeasure +by everything I say or do, sir," returned Herr Wilberg, offended, but +not without a sort of secret self-satisfaction which seemed to increase +the other's ill-humour.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Because you never say or do anything sensible," he growled, turning +his back on the young man and going up to his colleagues, who were +still looking out at the ever-growing tumult.</p> + +<p class="normal">"We shall have it in earnest now," said the Director uneasily. "They +are threatening to force an entrance. Herr Berkow ought to be told."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Let him have a minute's peace," interposed the chief-engineer. "He has +been at his post ever since daybreak. I think you might let him have +five minutes with his wife now. All the necessary measures are taken, +and when danger is really at hand, he will not be wanting, as you well +know."</p> + +<p class="normal">He was right. Ever since the dawn Arthur had been actively occupied, +giving orders and instructions, and personally superintending all that +was being done. He had hardly seen Eugénie until now, when he had gone +with her for a few minutes into one of the adjoining rooms.</p> + +<p class="normal">During this short interview he must have made her fully acquainted with +the situation, for her arms were clasped round his neck, and she was +clinging to him in the greatest agitation.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You must not go out, Arthur. It would be a mad, a desperate venture. +What can you do, one against so many? Yesterday, when you interfered, +they were fighting among themselves, but to-day they will all turn +against you. You will pay the penalty for your rashness. I will not let +you go."</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur freed himself gently but firmly from her embrace.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I must, Eugénie! It is the only possible way to avert the attack, and +it is not the first time I have had to face such scenes. Why, what did +you yourself do yesterday when you arrived?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I was coming to you," said she, in a tone which implied that any +venture would so have been justified. "But you want to tear yourself +from me and wildly expose yourself to the blind fury of this Hartmann. +Think of what happened yesterday evening, think of his threats. If you +must go, if there is no choice left, let me go with you at least. I am +not afraid, I only tremble when I know you are in danger and alone."</p> + +<p class="normal">He bent down to her gravely but lovingly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I know that you are brave, my Eugénie, but I should be a coward myself +before those crowds, if I knew that a stone from their midst might +strike you too. I want all my courage to-day, and I should not have it +if I saw you in peril and felt I could not protect you. I know why you +wish to go with me. You think I shall be safe from that one arm while +you are at my side. Do not deceive yourself, that is all over and past +since yesterday evening. You share the hatred now with which he has +persecuted me, and if it were not so"--here his voice lost its soft +inflection and his brow grew dark--"I would not owe my safety to a +feeling which is alike an offence to you and to me, and which would in +itself be sufficient to call for the man's dismissal, if his conduct in +other respects did not make it necessary."</p> + +<p class="normal">She must have felt the justice of his words, for she drooped her head +in silent resignation.</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur started.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The clamour is breaking out again, I must go. We shall only see each +other for a few brief minutes at a time to-day, and even they will be +anxious minutes for you, my poor wife. You could hardly have come back +at a worse time."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Would you rather have held out against them without me?" she asked in +a low voice.</p> + +<p class="normal">His face brightened, and there came into it an expression of passionate +tenderness.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Without you? I have gone on so far like the soldier of a forlorn hope. +I only found out yesterday how one can fight with a will when the +prosperity of a lifetime and all one's future are dependent on the +result. You brought back to me the desire for both, and now they may +assail us on all sides as they like. I believe in success now that I +have you at my side once more!"</p> + +<p class="normal">The officials hushed their noisy debatings as Berkow and his wife +entered, and the impression produced on all hands by their appearance +was due to something more than mere respect for the master. All eyes +were at once fixed upon him, as though they could read in his face what +was to be hoped or feared; they all pressed round him, as round a +centre where support was to be found, and every one breathed more +freely when he came in, as if the danger were half conjured already. +This movement, involuntary as it was, showed Eugénie sufficiently the +position her husband had conquered for himself, and the way in which he +stepped in among them proved too that he well knew how to maintain it. +His face, which she had seen but a few seconds before heavily clouded +over by care, bore, now that it had to meet all those anxious enquiring +looks, no other expression than that of a calm gravity, and there was +an assurance in his bearing which would have instilled confidence into +the faintest heart.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, gentlemen, things look rather hostile and threatening outside. +We must hold ourselves prepared for a sort of siege, perhaps even for +an attack; does it not appear so to you?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"They want to have the prisoners set free," said the Director, with a +glance at Schäffer, inviting his support.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes," said the latter, coming forwards, "and I fear we shall not be +able to hold our own against all this uproar. The arrest of the three +miners is their sole motive or pretext at present; if that were taken +from them"...</p> + +<p class="normal">"They would find another," interrupted Arthur, "and the weakness we +should have betrayed would remove from them the last restraint. We must +show neither hesitation nor fear now, or we shall lose the game at the +last moment. I foresaw what would happen when I had those mischievous +fellows arrested, but in the face of such a criminal attempt as that +there was no choice but to proceed with the utmost severity. The +prisoners will remain in custody until the troops arrive."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Director beat a retreat, and Schäffer shrugged his shoulders. They +had learnt to know that this tone of his would brook no contradiction.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do not see Hartmann in the crowd," continued Arthur, turning to the +chief-engineer; "he is generally first wherever there are noise and +tumult. To-day he seems only to have urged the others on, and then to +have left them. He is nowhere visible."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have missed him for the last quarter of an hour," answered the other +gravely. "I hope he is not up to fresh mischief elsewhere. You ordered +back the men posted about the engine-houses, Herr Berkow?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Certainly. The few men we can dispose of are even more necessary here +in the house, and, since the descent has been effected, the shafts and +engines must be perfectly safe. They could not meddle with them without +endangering their comrades down below."</p> + +<p class="normal">"With such a leader, they may even be meaning that," said the official +reflectively.</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur's brow grew dark, "Nonsense! Hartmann is an unruly fellow, a +furious madman even, when he is irritated, but he is not a scoundrel, +and that would be a scoundrelly act. He would have injured the engines +to prevent the descent being made, but when he found he could no longer +prevent it, why do you suppose he rushed off to the sheds? Certainly +not to see that his father and comrades were given up to destruction; +he wanted to recall his former orders, and it was only when he saw we +had been beforehand with him that he broke out against us in his wrath +at the failure of his plans. The engines are secured to us by the fact +of the men being below. Not a hand will be raised to injure them while +the Manager and the rest are in the mine, and so the storm is now +turned against the house. I shall go out and make an attempt to calm +them."</p> + +<p class="normal">During the last few weeks the officials had been accustomed to see +their leader act on similar occasions with resolute boldness and +without regard to his own personal safety, but this time entreaties and +remonstrances resounded on all sides; even the chief-engineer joined in +to dissuade him, and Schäffer, knowing from what quarter opposition +would alone avail, turned to Eugénie, still standing at her husband's +side.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do not allow it, your ladyship. Not to-day, it is much more dangerous +to-day than it has ever been before. The men are horribly excited, and +Hartmann is staking his last throw. Keep Herr Berkow back."</p> + +<p class="normal">At this warning, which did but confirm her own fears, she grew deadly +pale, but she retained her composure; something of Arthur's calm seemed +to have been communicated to her.</p> + +<p class="normal">"My husband has told me he must make the attempt," she answered +steadily, "he shall not say that I kept him back with tears and +lamentations from what he holds to be his duty. Let him go."</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur held her hand clasped in his. He only thanked her by a look.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Now, gentlemen, take example by my wife's courage. She has most cause +to tremble. I repeat it, the attempt must be made. Let the hall-door be +opened."</p> + +<p class="normal">"We will all go with you," said the chief-engineer. "Fear nothing, my +lady, I will not stir from his side."</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur put him aside quietly, but firmly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I thank you, but you must remain here with the other gentlemen. In +such a case one man alone is generally safe against a crowd. If you +were all to appear, they might take it for a challenge. Hold yourselves +in readiness to cover my retreat into the house, if it comes to the +worst. Farewell, Eugénie."</p> + +<p class="normal">He went, accompanied as far as the stairs by the chief-engineer and +several of the officials. No one attempted to stay him now. They all +knew that in his appearance outside lay the only chance of averting a +danger which it would be hard, if not impossible, for them to withstand +for hours together here shut up in the house.</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie rushed to one of the windows. She did not notice how all +present were anxiously pressing round the others, did not hear the +remarks exchanged in an undertone by the Director and Schäffer who were +standing close behind her; she only saw that wild rebellious crowd, +that sea of heads so densely packed together surging round the house, +only heard those fierce cries demanding the surrender of the prisoners.</p> + +<p class="normal">To this crowd her husband was about to expose himself alone; in the +very next instant his life might be menaced by it. The iron gates +of the park, more elegant than strong, had already yielded to the +battery; they lay broken to pieces on the ground; the beautiful, +carefully kept gardens, trodden under foot by hundreds, were nothing +now but a desolate chaos of earth, remnants of flowers and plants, and +trampled-down bushes.</p> + +<p class="normal">Already the foremost men among the rebels had all but reached the +terrace, and so were drawing very near the house itself; already here +and there clenched fists could be seen, armed with stones and ready to +hurl them at the windows. There was a confused rumour of shouts, +threats and cries of all descriptions; every minute the clamour waxed +louder and louder, until now and again it would rise for a second to a +howl which was almost unearthly.</p> + +<p class="normal">Suddenly there came a deep breathless silence. The uproar ceased +abruptly, as though by an order from on high; the agitated groups +paused in their restless movement, the great masses fell back, as if +they had all at once encountered an obstacle, and all eyes, all faces, +were turned in one direction. The hall-door had been opened, and the +young master stepped out on to the terrace.</p> + +<p class="normal">The lull lasted a few seconds, then the momentary surprise gave place +to a fresh and more terrible outburst of fury which no longer lacked an +aim. Those fierce yells, those faces distorted by passion, those +threatening upraised arms, were all directed against one man; but that +man was their master, the proprietor of the works, and that which the +father, with all his industrial genius, his tenacity of purpose and +arbitrary will, had failed to acquire during twenty years and more, the +son had won for himself in a few weeks: the authority of his own +personal influence; it worked even now when all the customary +restraints of order were loosed.</p> + +<p class="normal">He let the storm take its course. With his slight figure well erect, +his steady eyes fixed on the multitude before him, every individual of +which was superior to himself in strength, he stood facing them, alone +and unarmed, with no protection save that which his authority gave him, +waiting, as though the breakers of revolution, beating idly against +him, must spend themselves in vain.</p> + +<p class="normal">And they spent themselves. The general clamour gradually subsided into +distinct and separate cries, then into a sullen murmur. At last even +this was hushed, and Berkow's voice was raised, unintelligible at first +through the movement surging round him, interrupted often by the +tumult, which at intervals would break out afresh, then sink powerless +again, until finally it died out altogether. Then the master's voice +was heard, loud, clear and distinct, reaching the ears even of those +who were farthest from him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Thank God!" muttered Schäffer, passing his handkerchief across his +brow, "he has got them in hand now; they may be restive and struggle, +but they will obey. See, my lady, how they are quieting down, how they +recoil before him. They are actually retreating from the terrace and +letting the stones drop from their hands. If Providence will only keep +Hartmann out of the way, the danger is over."</p> + +<p class="normal">He little knew with what intensity Eugénie reechoed the wish in her own +mind. Up to this time she had sought in vain for that one dreaded +figure; so long as it was not visible her courage did not fail her, so +long she believed Arthur might yet be safe; but now security and hope +were over. Whether the sudden lull in the uproar he had busied himself +to raise had summoned the missing man to the spot, or whether a +suspicion of what was taking place drew him thither at that critical +moment, Ulric Hartmann, risen, as it were, from the ground, appeared +suddenly at the park entrance behind them. One look sufficed to show +him how matters stood.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Cowards that you are!" he thundered to his comrades, as, followed by +Lawrence and Deputy Wilms, he forced his way through the dense masses. +"I thought as much almost, I thought you would be getting yourselves +caught in his nets again while we were seeking information as to what +they had done with the prisoners. We know now where they are, there at +the balcony to the right, on the ground-floor, just at the back of the +dining-room; that is where the attack must be made. Break in the +plate-glass, it will save forcing open the door."</p> + +<p class="normal">No one obeyed the injunction as yet, but it had its effect. Nothing is +more vacillating, more unstable of purpose, than an excited crowd, +accustomed to bow to the will of one resolute man.</p> + +<p class="normal">In all the previous clamour and disturbance there had been an absence +of any fixed plan, an indecision which had kept the rebels from any +positive action; the eye, the arm, of the leader had been wanting. He +was there now, and, as he grasped the reins, he gave them an aim and +sure direction. They knew now where the prisoners were lodged, and knew +how to get to them, and thus the danger, which had so nearly been +conjured, was kindled afresh.</p> + +<p class="normal">Ulric cared little at that moment whether his order were obeyed or not. +He had forced a passage for himself through to the terrace, and stood +confronting the master with all the defiant hostility of his rebellious +nature, his gigantic form towering nearly a head above his fellows. He +was a born leader of the masses; his fierce energy and despotic will +carried them with him in blind obedience, and, spite of all that had +happened, that might happen yet, his command over them was still for +the time being unlimited. All the advantage which Arthur had obtained +was called into question, if not wholly destroyed, by the mere +appearance on the scene of this man whose influence worked at least as +powerfully as his own.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Where are our mates?" asked Hartmann in a tone of menace, and stepping +up still closer. "We want them out at once! We will have no violence +used to any of us."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And I will not have my machinery destroyed," answered Arthur coldly +and calmly. "I had the men arrested, though they were only the tools in +another's hand. Who ordered that attempt upon the engines?"</p> + +<p class="normal">There was a triumphant gleam in Ulric's eye; he had foreseen this +firmness and built his plan upon it. He himself needed no pretext; he +was bent on satisfying his hatred at any cost, but his partisans, +wavering and ready to desert their flag, were in want of some +provocation to urge them forward; it was necessary now to goad them on, +and the adversary was bold and proud enough to offer them an incentive.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I owe you no answers," he said disdainfully, "and I shall not allow +myself to be questioned in that dictatorial way. Give up the prisoners, +all the men on the works demand it, or" .... and his look completed the +threat.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The prisoners will be detained," declared Arthur unmoved, "and you, +Hartmann, have no longer the right to speak in the name of all the men +employed on the works; half of them have seceded from you already. I +have nothing more to say to you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But I have something to say to you," shouted Ulric, desperate with +rage. "Forwards," he cried, turning to the rebel masses, "forwards, on +to our mates, strike down all that comes in your way!"</p> + +<p class="normal">He would have rushed upon Berkow, thereby giving the signal for a +general onset, but, before he could do so, before it could be +determined whether the crowd behind him would render or refuse +obedience, there boomed suddenly through the air a strange and terrible +sound, making all the ground around them tremble.</p> + +<p class="normal">The leader stopped electrified, and all present stood spell-bound, +listening breathlessly for what would follow. It had been like the +reverberation of a dull and distant shock, coming, as it seemed, from +the very bowels of the earth, and was succeeded by a low rumble under +ground which lasted a few seconds; then all was still as death, and +hundreds of scared faces were turned in the direction of the works.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Good God! that came from the mine; something has happened there!" +cried Lawrence, with a great start of alarm.</p> + +<p class="normal">"That was an explosion!" said the voice of the chief-engineer; during +the last few critical minutes he had been on guard in the great hall at +the head of the younger officials and all the available servants, ready +to hasten to Arthur's assistance. "An accident has happened in the +mine, Herr Berkow, we must go over."</p> + +<p class="normal">For one moment horror seemed to paralyse every limb. No one moved; the +warning was all too terrible. At the very moment when one party was +rushing forward bent on the other's annihilation, destruction of +another kind had reached their brothers down below. Now they were +imperatively called on to abandon the attack and hurry to the rescue. +Arthur was the first to recover himself.</p> + +<p class="normal">"To the shafts!" he cried to the other officials, who by this time had +come out of the house and were pressing round him, and, so saying, he +set the example by himself speeding off before them all in the +direction of the works.</p> + +<p class="normal">"To the shafts!" shouted Ulric, turning to the miners.</p> + +<p class="normal">The command was unnecessary; in an instant the crowd was rushing in +wild haste, their leader at their head, to the scene of the disaster. +He and Arthur reached the works first, and almost simultaneously.</p> + +<p class="normal">Nothing was to be seen as yet of the effects of the destroying element; +the thick column of smoke issuing from the shafts alone bore witness to +what had happened, but it was eloquent enough. In less than ten minutes +the whole surrounding space was crowded with human beings, who, now +that their first mute horror was over, broke out loudly into +lamentations and cries of fear and despair.</p> + +<p class="normal">There is something appalling and yet elevating about a great misfortune +which is not due to the hand of man, for it almost invariably brings +into play the better side of human nature, saving its honour, and +cleansing it from those evil passions which at other times disfigure +and obscure it. The revolution in the general feeling was so sudden, so +instantaneous, it hardly seemed to be the same multitude which, but a +few minutes before, had clamoured round the house, menacing destruction +if not murder, because their wild demands were not conceded. Strife, +enmity, the hatred of long months, all gave way now to the one thought +of rescuing those below.</p> + +<p class="normal">To this rescue, miners and officials, friends and foes, pressed forward +indiscriminately, and foremost among them were they who had been most +ardent in rebellion. An hour before they had threatened their comrades, +and would have attacked and beaten them down if their leader's own +father had not led the gang, and now that the self-same comrades were +in peril of their lives, each man would have risked his own to have +succoured them. The awful message had borne fruit.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Back!" cried Arthur, stepping forward to meet them, as, without any +definite plan, they pressed blindly forward. "You cannot help now, you +will only hinder the officials' approach. We must first ascertain how +and where it is possible to penetrate into the shaft. Make way for the +engineers."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Make way for the engineers!" repeated those nearest him. The cry +resounded through the ranks, and a narrow passage was at once formed +for the chief-engineer and his staff, who now came up from an opposite +direction.</p> + +<p class="normal">"There is no possibility of forcing our way in over there yonder," said +he to Arthur, pointing towards the lower shaft which was in connection +with the upper one, and from which mighty columns of smoke and thick +vapour were issuing. "We have not even made the attempt, for no human +being could breathe in that infernal steaming cauldron. Hartmann tried +it, but when he had gone five or six steps, he was forced to beat a +retreat half stifled, and he was just able to drag out Lawrence, who +had followed him, but had fallen at the entrance. Our only hope lies in +the upper drawing-shaft; perhaps they may have taken refuge there. Set +the engines going, we must make the descent that way."</p> + +<p class="normal">The man in charge of the machinery, to whom these words were addressed, +stood by pale and agitated without preparing to obey.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The engines have refused service for the last hour," he reported in a +tone of distress. "I wanted to send word of it, for all the gentlemen +were up at the house, but my messenger could not get through on account +of the row there was up there, and I thought, at all events, the gang +at work could ascend by the lower shaft which remained free. We have +been trying hard to work them, but we can't make them move."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Heavens and earth! that about finishes us," cried the chief-engineer, +rushing by into the shed.</p> + +<p class="normal">"But by the ladder-way?" Arthur turned hastily to the Director. "Cannot +we get down there?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The other shook his head.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The ladder-way has not been available since the morning. You know, +Herr Berkow, Hartmann had all the upper ladders destroyed, so as to +prevent the descent at all hazards. He did not succeed; the men went +down by the drawing-shaft, and that is the only access left us now to +the mine."</p> + +<p class="normal">Ulric appeared at this moment with Wilms and several of his usual +companions.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Down there it can't be done," cried he to the miners, while he pushed +his way through their ranks. "We should sacrifice our lives all for no +use, and they are needed just now to help. Perhaps up here it may be +possible, we must go down with the drawing-cage."</p> + +<p class="normal">He was pressing hurriedly on to the engine-shed, when he was suddenly +confronted by Arthur Berkow, who looked sternly at him and said in a +loud sharp tone:</p> + +<p class="normal">"The engines have refused service for the last hour, and it is only ten +minutes since the accident happened; there can be no connection between +the two. It is just an hour since your three delegates were taken up. +What had happened before that, Hartmann?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Ulric fell back as if he had received a blow.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I recalled the order," he gasped, "the moment my father and the rest +went down. I came myself to stop it, but they had done it already. I +would not have had that, I swear, I would not!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur turned from him to one of the engineers who now came out.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, how goes it?" he asked, hastily.</p> + +<p class="normal">The official shook his head.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The engine does not act. We have not been able to find out the cause, +it is certainly not the explosion, for that happened nearly an hour +later, and had no effect whatever on the buildings about the shafts. +This injury has been done wittingly. We must have overlooked something +this morning when we examined the machinery. If we do not manage to get +it into working order all access to the mine is cut off from us, and +the men below are hopelessly lost, Manager Hartmann with the rest."</p> + +<p class="normal">He had raised his voice as he spoke the last words and fixed his eyes +on Ulric, who, with a deadly pallor on his face, was standing by dumb +and motionless; but now he started violently and made a hasty movement +forward. Arthur barred the way.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Where are you going?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I must be up and doing!" groaned the young Deputy. "I must help, let +me go, Herr Berkow; I must, I tell you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You cannot help," interrupted Arthur bitterly. "There is nothing to be +done now by the sheer strength of a man's arms. You could destroy and +increase the danger tenfold, leave the repairs to those who understand +them. They alone can make it possible for us to come to the rescue, and +they must not be hindered or interfered with at their work. Keep the +space round the house clear. Director, and you, Herr Wilberg, fetch +down the prisoners immediately. They must know where their hands have +been busy, perhaps they can put the engineers in the right way. Be +quick."</p> + +<p class="normal">Wilberg obeyed, and the Director prepared to carry out his +instructions. He found no difficulty in so doing; the crowd around knew +that everything now depended upon the activity of their superiors. All +felt something of that truth which Arthur had once expressed in answer +to their leader's challenge.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Try," he had said, "try to do without that powerful element you hate +so much, which directs your labour, gives impulse to the machinery, and +lends mind to your work."</p> + +<p class="normal">Here were hundreds of arms, hundreds of strong men ready to help, and +not one could raise his hand, not one knew how to employ his strength; +the whole power to save, the whole possibility of coming to the rescue, +lay now with the few, who here again must set their minds to work to +discover means of even yet affording help, while the many, together +with their leader, could do nothing but hurry blindly on to certain +death. Those detested, much contemned officials! Every look now hung on +them; directly one of them appeared, he was surrounded by an eager +throng, and they and their work would at this juncture have been +protected at any cost, had such protection been needed.</p> + +<p class="normal">Minute after minute went by in anxious, torturing suspense. Wilberg had +long ago come back with the three prisoners who had been confined in +one of the rooms on the ground-floor of the great house. The men knew +what had happened; like all the rest they came in breathless haste, to +stand by, like them helpless and despairing. They were no longer +wanted, for the cause of the stoppage in the engines had already been +found; the injury proved to be trifling, and might be quickly repaired. +The engineers, under their principal's superintendence, worked with +might and main, while out of doors a plan for the rescue was being +drawn up, and preparations set on foot for carrying it out.</p> + +<p class="normal">Continued attempts were made to effect an entrance into the mine by the +other shaft, but they were always made in vain. The danger had knitted +together again the loosened bonds of discipline; every one obeyed +orders, and obeyed more quickly, with greater alacrity, than even in +former days, before the strike had broken out.</p> + +<p class="normal">But most active and ardent of all was the master himself. His eye, his +voice, were everywhere, assisting and encouraging. Arthur possessed +little or nothing of the special knowledge and experience required by +the occasion. The young heir to the works had been brought up in total +ignorance of all that it would have been most necessary for him to +know, but one thing he did possess, which no teaching could have +given him, and that was the gift of command. This was exactly what +was wanting now, for the only really energetic official, the +chief-engineer, was detained near the engines, and the Director and the +rest, half stunned by the rapid succession of events, and by the +catastrophe itself, seemed, in spite of their knowledge, experience and +ability, to have lost all presence of mind.</p> + +<p class="normal">It was Arthur who gave them back composure, who, at a glance, found the +right place for every man, and urged him on to do his utmost in it; +Arthur who carried all with him by the fervour of his zeal. The young +man's character, so long misunderstood by those about him, and most of +all by himself, had never so brilliantly proved its worth as in this +hour of danger.</p> + +<p class="normal">At last the heavy creaking sound was heard of the machinery being set +in motion; then followed a snorting and groaning, spasmodically at +first and at intervals, then in regular cadence; the pistons rose and +sank again obediently as ever. The chief-engineer came out to Berkow, +but his face had not cleared.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The engine is at work, but I am afraid it is either too early or too +late to make the descent. The smoke is pouring out here now, the +fire-damp must have extended. We shall have to wait."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Wait!" said Arthur, with a hasty movement of impatience. "We +have waited a full hour, and the lives of the unfortunate men may +hang on each minute. Do you think it is possible to get down the +drawing-shaft?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"It may perhaps be possible. It seems to be only smoke that is coming +up, but any one who goes down now will risk his life. I would not +venture on it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But I will!" broke in Ulric's voice, speaking with great decision. As +soon as the machinery had begun to move he had pushed forward, and he +was now standing by the great iron cage in which the ore was lifted.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I shall go down," he repeated, "but one man is of no use below, I must +have help. Who will go with me?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Nobody answered. All present recoiled before a journey down that +steaming gulf; they had seen how the brave fellows, who had tried to +force an entrance through the other shaft, had stumbled back or fallen. +Lawrence still lay unconscious; he had succumbed to a venture from +which his stronger companion had escaped scathless, and not one among +them had the temerity to follow that companion in an expedition where +return or retreat seemed almost hopeless.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No one?" asked Ulric after a pause. "Well then, I will go by myself. +Give the signal."</p> + +<p class="normal">He sprang into the cage, but suddenly a slender white hand was laid on +its grimy edge, and a clear voice said:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Wait a moment, Hartmann, I am coming with you."</p> + +<p class="normal">A cry of horror broke from the lips of all the officials standing +round; on all sides a loud opposition was set up.</p> + +<p class="normal">"For God's sake, do not, Herr Berkow! You will sacrifice your life +uselessly. You can give no help." And so on, in every tone and alarm of +anxiety.</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur drew himself up, looking every inch the master as he replied,</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do not go to help but to set an example. If I start first, they will +all follow. Make every arrangement in your power up here to ensure our +safety; the Director will keep order outside. At this moment I can do +nothing but try and give the people courage, and that I mean to do."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But not alone and not with Hartmann," cried the chief-engineer, almost +dragging him back. "Beware, Herr Berkow, it is the same situation and +the same company which proved fatal to your father. You too might +meet with other perils down below than any caused by an explosion of +fire-damp."</p> + +<p class="normal">It was the first time the accusation had been openly launched before +witnesses; though none dared to echo it, their faces showed how fully +the suspicion and fear were shared by them. Ulric still stood in his +place; he neither spoke nor moved, neither contradicted nor attempted +to defend himself, he only turned his eyes full upon the young +proprietor, as though awaiting from his mouth an acquittal or +condemnation.</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur's look met his; only for a second, then he freed himself from +the strong arms which would have held him back.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Below in the mine are more than a hundred lives which must be lost if +we cannot come to the rescue, and there, I think, no hand will be +raised except to save. Give the signal. Your arm. Hartmann, you must +help me."</p> + +<p class="normal">Ulric stretched out his arm with convulsive eagerness to give the +required help. Next minute Arthur stood by his side.</p> + +<p class="normal">"As soon as we are safely down, send after us any who can and will +follow. God grant us good speed!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"God grant us good speed!" repeated Ulric in a low voice, but with +equal firmness. The words had a solemn sound; both men, as they uttered +them, turned to brave the depths which were yawning to receive them. +The engine was set in motion and the cage sank slowly. Those who stood +above could only see how the young master, giddy with the unaccustomed +journey, confused by the smoke which, happily, was now rising only in +thin clouds, reeled to one side, and how Hartmann threw his arm quickly +round him and supported him. They then disappeared into the reeking +gulf.</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur was right. His example was decisive while Ulric's would have +been quite ineffectual. The people were accustomed to see Deputy +Hartmann set his life at stake for a much less cause and always escape +uninjured, so that a sort of superstitious belief had spread among his +companions that no danger could touch him.</p> + +<p class="normal">It was he who had made the ladder-way inaccessible, who had caused +the machinery to be tampered with, so that all help had been delayed +for more than an hour; his father was below with the rest, lost, +perhaps, through his doing--it was a thing of course that he would +rush unhesitatingly forwards to face a risk which none would +willingly share with him. But when the master led the way, the proud, +delicately-nurtured man, who had never set foot in his own mines while +they were comparatively safe, when, now that destruction impended, he +pressed forward, all were ready to follow.</p> + +<p class="normal">The next to volunteer were the three miners who had meddled with the +machinery in the morning; they went down under the conduct of an +engineer. Then more and more helpers came forward; there was no need to +appeal for, no need to require, assistance. Soon the chief-engineer was +obliged to turn back applicants, as only a certain number could +admitted to the work of deliverance.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hour after hour passed by, the sun had long since reached its meridian, +had long since sunk below it, and still, down below in the very bowels +of the earth, the mind of man and the will of man were struggling to +snatch their prey from the revolted elements. It was a more terrible +fight than any fought in the light of day. In order to advance at all, +every foot of earth had to be conquered, every step forward to be +painfully won at the risk of their lives, yet they did advance; and it +seemed as if such incredible exertions would be rewarded by results +equally incredible.</p> + +<p class="normal">Communication with the unfortunate prisoners had been established; it +was hoped they might yet be saved, now that it was found they, or at +least some of them, were still living. A happy chance, the finding of +two lanterns which had been lost thrown away in the hurried flight, had +led to the right track. The explosion seemed to have only partially +destroyed the upper shaft, and the miners had apparently had time to +take refuge in the side-galleries, where the fire-damp had not reached +them, but where they were blocked up and completely walled in by a fall +of earth in the outer chambers.</p> + +<p class="normal">The question was how to work a way through to them, how to find a +passage in which the liberating party would at least be able to draw +breath, and so to carry out the prompt and efficient plan which had +been conceived for their rescue.</p> + +<p class="normal">"If the whole earth lay on them we must get through!" Ulric had cried +when the first traces were found, and that had become the rallying word +repeated by every man to his fellow.</p> + +<p class="normal">Not one fell back, not one tried to evade the perilous duty of his +post, yet the strength of many among them could not keep pace with +their zeal, and, to avoid increasing the number of sacrifices, several +of the workers had to be sent to the surface and their places filled by +fresh volunteers.</p> + +<p class="normal">Two only of the party never flagged and never wearied; Ulric Hartmann +with his iron frame, and Arthur Berkow with his iron will, which +steeled the nerves of the delicate, slightly-built man, and gave him +power to endure on under circumstances, and in the midst of dangers, to +which so many stronger than he succumbed. These two held on; side by +side they pressed forward, and always in the van.</p> + +<p class="normal">Ulric's giant strength worked marvels and overcame obstacles which +seemed too great to be conquered by human hands: as for the master, it +was sufficient that he should be there at their head, that he should be +there at all. He could, indeed, do no more than encourage the others in +their labours, but in doing this, he rendered better service than by +toiling with his arms.</p> + +<p class="normal">Three times already the hand of his more experienced companion had +pulled him back, when, unacquainted with the dangers of the mine, he +had exposed himself imprudently; already the engineers had entreated +him to turn back, now that there were workers enough and officials +enough to lead and direct. Arthur refused each time most resolutely. He +felt how much depended upon his remaining among these men who had so +suddenly turned from open, violent revolt, to aid and succour in the +present distress.</p> + +<p class="normal">Now all looks were on the master, who, since he had reached +independence, had ever stood opposed to them, who, now for the first +time, was in their midst, facing danger and death, ready to expose his +life like the least among them, and, like them too, leaving above +ground a young wife in the throes of a horrible suspense.</p> + +<p class="normal">In these hours of a common work and common peril he won for himself at +last that which had so long and so persistently been refused to the son +and heir of a Berkow, their full trust and confidence. There, in the +rocky mine below, the old hatred and the old discord were buried, there +the strife came to an end.</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur knew that for him more was involved than a mere temporary risk, +which any one in his place might have run; he knew that, by staying on +to the last, he was assuring the future of his works and a future for +himself, and the thought of this induced him still to leave Eugénie +alone in her anxiety, and to remain at his post.</p> + +<p class="normal">So they worked on with unabated activity and endurance, advancing +slowly, it is true, and step by step, but still advancing, until at +last the malevolent powers which dwell below yielded to man's potent +will, and a path was opened down to the fellow-men beneath.</p> + +<p class="normal">As the sun up above sank to its setting, the way to them was found, the +rescued miners were lifted to the light of day, injured, half +suffocated, stupified by fright and by the fear of death, but still +living, and following them came the deliverers, worn out in their turn +and half dead with exhaustion. The two who had been first in the bold +undertaking were also the last to leave the field of action. They would +not stir until every man was in safety.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I can't think what is the reason that Herr Berkow and Hartmann are +delaying so down below," said the chief-engineer, uneasily, to the +officials round him. "They were close to the opening of the shaft when +the last of the men came up, and Hartmann knows the dangers of the +mines well enough not to wait a minute longer than is necessary. The +cage is still below, they have given no signal, and they do not reply +to ours. What can it mean?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I trust no misfortune has happened at the last moment," said Wilberg +anxiously. "There was such a strange noise down in the shaft just as +the last load came up. The distance was too great, and the noise of the +engines too loud, for me to distinguish clearly what it was, but the +whole ground seemed to tremble. Suppose there should have been an +afterfall."</p> + +<p class="normal">"God forbid! but you may be right," cried the chief-engineer. "Give the +signal once more as loudly as possible. If that is not answered, we +must make the descent again and see what is the cause of it."</p> + +<p class="normal">But before he or the others could carry out this resolution the signal +for drawing up was given below sharply and quickly. The men above +ground breathed more freely and drew near to the shaft's mouth.</p> + +<p class="normal">After a few minutes' waiting the cage appeared. Ulric stood in it, his +face disfigured and blackened by perspiration and dust, his clothes +torn to rags, and covered with earth and fragments of rock and stone, +while blood poured from his brow and temples. As at the time of the +descent, he was supporting the young master, but now Arthur was not +merely staggering; his head rested on his companion's shoulder, his +eyes were closed, and he lay motionless and deadly pale in Hartmann's +arms, which seemed to be exerting all their strength to hold him +upright.</p> + +<p class="normal">A cry of fear resounded on all sides. Before the engine had well come +to a stop, twenty arms were outstretched to receive the unconscious man +and to carry him to his wife, who, like all the rest, had never once +stirred from the scene of the calamity. Every one pressed round the +two, help was called for, the doctor summoned, and in the general +confusion no one paid attention to Ulric, who had stood strangely quiet +and passive, and suffered his burthen to be taken from him.</p> + +<p class="normal">He did not spring out of the cage with his usual rapid movement; +slowly, painfully he got out, catching twice at the chains to keep +himself from falling. No sound escaped him, but his teeth were tightly +set as in an extremity of pain, and the blood gushed forth more +violently from his wound; under that thick layer of dust it could not +be seen that his face rivalled that of the master in pallor. He +advanced a few paces with an unsteady gait, then he stopped all at +once; grasping convulsively with both hands at the pillars before the +engine-house, he managed to support himself by them.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Make your mind easy, my lady," consolingly said the doctor, who had +been in attendance on the sufferers, and had at once hastened to the +spot. "I do not find that Herr Berkow has sustained the slightest +injury. He will recover."</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie took no comfort from his words. She only saw that white face +with its closed lids, that prone inanimate form. There had been a time +when, as a bride, but a few hours after her wedding, she had been +snatched from peril by the hand of a stranger, and, being in +uncertainty as to her husband's fate, she had coolly and quietly turned +to her deliverer and said, "Pray look to Herr Berkow!"</p> + +<p class="normal">For such cold disdain as this she had more than atoned by the torture +of the last few hours. They had taught her what it is to tremble for a +loved, one without having power to help, without even being near and +sharing the danger. Now she would have no one at his side but herself, +now, like any other wife in her anguish and distress, she was on her +knees beside her husband, calling piteously on his name,</p> + +<p class="normal">"Arthur!"</p> + +<p class="normal">At the sound of this passionate despairing cry a great quiver passed +through the miner's frame as he still stood leaning against the +pillars, and he drew himself up erect. He turned his mournful blue eyes +once more on those two, but there was nothing of the old defiance and +hatred in his look, nothing but a dumb profound sorrow. Then all grew +cloudy before him, he raised his hand, not to his bleeding brow, but to +his breast where no external hurt was to be seen, as though the greater +pain were there, and at the very moment that Arthur, still supported by +his wife's arms, re-opened his eyes, Ulric fell heavily to the ground +behind them.</p> + +<p class="normal">Though the last man had now been brought to the surface, an uneasy +silence still reigned among the assembled crowd. There were no +demonstrations of joy; the sight of the sufferers forbade all +rejoicing, for as yet it could not be told whether life was really +saved, or whether Death would not after all come in and claim the +victims who had been snatched from him at the cost of so much toil and +labour.</p> + +<p class="normal">The master had recovered from his fainting fit more quickly than had +been expected. He and his companion had really been overtaken by an +afterfall of earth, rudely shaken and dislodged by the recent +explosion, but, marvellous to say, Arthur had escaped unhurt. Supported +by his wife's arm he could stand up already, though wan still and weak, +and he was trying to collect his thoughts so as to answer Eugénie's +questions.</p> + +<p class="normal">"We were close to the opening of the shaft. Hartmann was on in advance +and in perfect safety. Something must have shown him what was coming. I +saw him suddenly rush back to me, he seized my arm, but it was too +late; all was giving way around us. I only felt that he pulled me with +him to the ground, felt that with his own body he shielded me from the +avalanche which was coming down upon us, then I lost consciousness."</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie made no answer. She had feared this man so intensely, had been +a prey to such unutterable alarm ever since she heard that Arthur had +undertaken the dangerous task in his company, and now it was to this +man's presence alone she owed her husband's life and rescue.</p> + +<p class="normal">The chief-engineer came up to them. His face was very grave and his +voice sounded almost solemn as he said:</p> + +<p class="normal">"The doctor says they will all be saved, all but one; for Hartmann no +help can avail! The efforts he made down in the mine to-day were too +much even for his strength, and the wound has done the rest. How, in +such a state as that he could possibly have worked a way for himself +and you through the ruins, have raised you into the cage and held you +until you were in safety, is almost incomprehensible. No one but +himself could have done it; he has succeeded, but he will pay for it +with his life."</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur looked at his wife. Their eyes met, and they understood each +other. In spite of his exhaustion, he shook himself together, took +Eugénie's hand and drew her with him to the spot where prompt aid and +attention were being lavished on the sufferers. Only one, the last, had +been carried to one side. Ulric lay stretched on the ground; his father +was still unconscious and knew nothing of his son's state, but he was +not therefore left alone or altogether dependent on the help of +strangers.</p> + +<p class="normal">At his side a girl was kneeling, holding the dying man's head in her +arms, and gazing into his face with a look of heart-breaking anguish: +she paid no heed to her lover, who was standing on the other side +holding his friend's hand, now rapidly growing cold Ulric saw neither +of them, perhaps no longer knew that they were there. His eyes were +wide open and fixed on the flaming sky, on the setting sun, as if he +would drink in one last ray of the external light and carry it with him +down into the shades of the long dark night.</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur put a question in an undertone to the doctor standing by; he +answered with a silent shake of the head. The master knew enough. He +left his wife's hand free, whispered a few words in her ear, and then +stepped back, while Eugénie bent over Ulric and spoke his name.</p> + +<p class="normal">Then life leapt up within him again, flashing one last gleam through +the mists of death. Perfectly conscious now, he turned upon her a look +in which all the glow and passion of former days were for one moment +concentrated. She put a timid low question.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hartmann, are you badly wounded?"</p> + +<p class="normal">His face quivered with the old pain, and he answered in low broken +tones, but quietly,</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why do you ask about me? You have <i>him</i>, why should I live on? I told +you before, it should be he or I.... I meant it differently, but that +was what came into my head when the wall fell in. I thought of you and +your grief .... I remembered that he had held out his hand to me when +no one else would .... and then .... then I threw myself over him."</p> + +<p class="normal">He sank back, that last bright spark quenched in the effort of +speaking; the life, which had been so full of fire and of wild +restlessness, now ebbed gently away without struggle or pain; the man, +whose whole existence had been passed in hatred of and rebellion +against those set over him by fate, had come to his death in the act of +rescuing his enemy.</p> + +<p class="normal">So was the presentiment fulfilled, which had been borne in upon him +yesterday as he listened to the murmuring water; from the inner depths +of the earth the stream had brought Death's greeting to his victim. +Ulric, truly, had no need to look beyond the morrow, shrouded from him +by the impenetrable veil; all had indeed come to an end for him with +that "morrow"--all and everything!</p> + +<p class="normal">From the high-road out yonder sounded the regular march of an advancing +troop, with now and again a word of command or the clashing of arms; +the help, which had been requested and expected from the town, had +arrived. As soon as he reached the first outlying houses of the +settlement the officer in command learned what had happened. Drawing up +his men in the road, he himself, accompanied by a slight escort, went +over to the scene of the accident, and asked to speak to the +proprietor.</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur went forward to meet him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I thank you, Captain," he said quietly and gravely, "but you have come +too late. I do not need your help now. For the last ten hours we have +fought together, my people and I, for the lives of some of us who were +in danger, and during that time we have made peace--I trust for ever."</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XXVI.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">Summer had come again. Once more mountains and valleys lay bathed in +sunshine and verdant with beauty, and down in the Berkow settlement +there was busy life and movement as in the old days, only freer and +more cheerful than it had ever been before. There was an atmosphere of +liberty and happy contentedness about the works now; extensive as ever, +they had gained all that had previously been wanting, but this had not +come about in weeks or even in months. Years had been needed, and those +following the catastrophe had not been years of ease. When work had +been resumed, a heavy load still rested on the young master's +shoulders. He had, it is true, made peace with his people, but he stood +on the brink of ruin. The crisis was past, the moment of danger when +personal courage and personal sacrifices could suffice to restrain the +excesses of a rebellious multitude; but now came a time harder to bear, +a time of constant arduous toil, of struggling, often desperate, +against the force of circumstances by which Arthur was well nigh +crushed. But in the first trial he had learnt to test his strength, in +the second he knew how to use it.</p> + +<p class="normal">For more than a year it remained doubtful whether the works could be +kept on under their then owner, and even when this critical period had +been tided over, there were still dangers and losses enough to be +faced. Even during the last years of the elder Berkow's lifetime the +position had been seriously shaken, the fortune impaired by his wild +speculation, his lavish expenditure, and, above all, by that +unscrupulous system of working which only aimed at great and immediate +profits and eventually recoiled on the employer himself.</p> + +<p class="normal">Then came the interruption of all business, which had lasted nearly a +month, the accident in the shafts, requiring most important repairs; +all this combined threatened completely to overwhelm a situation +already greatly imperilled. More than once it seemed impossible the +works could be preserved, more than once it seemed as though the memory +of past wounds, caused by harsh treatment and by the late open strife, +rankled too deeply ever to be allayed; but Arthur's character, aroused +so late, steeled itself and grew to fuller development in this school +of incessant and strenuous activity.</p> + +<p class="normal">All the foundations were shaken and the edifice tottering to its fall +when, years before, Arthur had undertaken the difficult task of +bringing order out of the chaos of debts, engagements and claims upon +him, which had to be met first of all, and of establishing a perfectly +new system. But he had learnt confidence in himself; his wife was at +his side, and on his exertions depended Eugénie's future prosperity and +his own. That thought gave him courage to withstand, where any other +would have yielded in despair; supported him even in moments when the +task seemed beyond his strength, and obtained for him the victory at +last. Now every lingering ill effect of the catastrophe had been +overcome; the name of Berkow, stripped of all the evil which had +attached to it, had won back for itself the old luck, and stood pure +and honourable before the world.</p> + +<p class="normal">The works, more extensive and on a greater scale than ever, were +prosperous and safely established as they had never been before, and +their owner's wealth now rested on a strong and sure basis. This +wealth, which at one time had threatened to be, and nearly became, +fatal to the young heir, accustomed to treat the gifts of fortune with +contemptuous indifference because they lay ready at his feet, grew +precious in his eyes now that he had reconquered it by the striving of +years, and that in his hands it had become a blessing to so many.</p> + +<p class="normal">It was getting towards noon as the Director and the chief-engineer +walked home together on their way from the works. They had both grown +older in the course of years, but, in other respects, they were +unchanged. The one was good-natured, the other sardonic as ever; there +was the old malicious ring in the latter's voice as he went on with his +conversation.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Baron von Windeg's eldest son has announced his father's intention of +paying us another visit again already. It appears that our relationship +may be boasted of now, though it was condescended to at first with so +much repugnance. Since the government has accorded us such flattering +attention and, even in higher quarters, interest has been shown in our +organisation and the industry of the place, the works have become +'presentable at court' in the old aristocrat's opinion. His son-in-law +has been so a long time, and I rather think we are at least on a level +with the Windegs now. All the grandeur of the Rabenau property does not +amount to half the value of the Berkow estates, or give its owner a +tithe of our influence. The Baron is beginning to find out that with +all his possessions he is lost in the crowd of wealthy men, while we +have grown to be a power in the province and are recognised as such by +every one."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Greater progress has been made here than elsewhere," said the +Director. "All around they are studying our improvements and our +system, but as yet no one has imitated us."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, if we go on like this, we shall reach the 'philanthropic model +establishment' which the late Herr Berkow used to protest against so +vigorously. Well, thank God,"--the chief-engineer raised his head with +self-satisfaction--"we can afford it. We are in a position to expend +sums for our people's benefit which other folk would have to stow away +carefully in their pockets, and certainly the sums are not small. Yet +it is not so very long since we were fighting, not for influence or +fortune, but for the existence of the works, and we should not have +succeeded in saving that but for a few lucky chances which came to us +just in the nick of time."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Or but for the admirable way in which out people behaved," added the +Director. "It was no trifle for them to remain quiet while agitation +and a regular ferment were going on all around them. The accident in +the mine cost money enough just at a time when every hundred was hard +to spare, but I think Herr Berkow did not pay too dearly for what he +gained with his people. They had not forgotten the hours of suspense +and danger he shared with them down below, and they will not forget +them. Such a thing as that binds men together for a lifetime. Ever +since that time they have trusted him, and when he gave them his word +that he would set matters straight if they would only give him a little +breathing time, they waited loyally, so it is no wonder if he does more +than he promised."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, so far as I am concerned, he can indulge himself in the luxury +for the future," said his colleague. "Besides, it is satisfactory to +see that, under given conditions, philanthropy may be compatible with a +good business. Our yearly balance is more considerable than under the +old régime, which, certainly, could not be accused of undue tenderness; +all was squeezed out of the works then that was there to squeeze."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are an incorrigible joker!" said the Director, "no one knows +better than you do that Herr Berkow is guided by no such +considerations."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, he is too much of an idealist for that," returned the +chief-engineer, accepting the reproach with great equanimity. "Luckily, +he can be practical at the same time, and he has been through too hard +a school not to know that to be practical is the first condition of +success in such a case as ours. I have not much opinion of the ideal +myself, as you know."</p> + +<p class="normal">The other smiled rather slily. "Yes, we all know that, but you will +modify your thinking, won't you, when you get such a purely imaginative +element in your family as Herr Wilberg. The time is drawing near, is it +not?"</p> + +<p class="normal">This little thrust of the Director's seemed to have told, for his +colleague made a wry face, and replied angrily:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Don't talk to me about it, I hear enough of it at home. To think that +such a thing should happen to me! to me who hate nothing so much as +your sentimental romantic nonsense. To think that fate should have +reserved for me, of all people, a son-in-law who writes verses and +plays the guitar. There is no getting rid of the fellow with his sighs +and his love-making, and Mélanie will not listen to reason. But I have +not given my consent yet, and I am not at all sure that I shall."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, we will leave that to Fräulein Mélanie," said the Director +laughing. "She has got a bit of her father in her, she knows how to +have her own way. I can assure you that Wilberg goes about with the +mien of a conqueror, and answers all congratulations with the words, +'No, not yet!' in a way which is exceedingly eloquent. The two young +people must be pretty sure of their affair. Good-bye. Mind, I am to be +told first of the happy event."</p> + +<p class="normal">This time it was the Director's turn to be mischievous, and not without +result, for the chief-engineer looked greatly put out as he went up the +steps to his house.</p> + +<p class="normal">Fräulein Mélanie came out to meet him, and was unusually tender in her +attentions. She gave him a kiss, took his hat and gloves, coaxed him a +little, and, after these preliminaries, considered that the time had +now come to proffer a petition.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Papa, there is somebody here who wants to speak to you at once, and on +important business. He is in there with mamma, may I bring him to you?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I can't be spoken to now," growled her father, guessing what was +before him, but the young lady took not the smallest notice of the +refusal. She disappeared into the next room, and next minute pushed out +the somebody who was there, whispering at the same time a few +encouraging words in his ear.</p> + +<p class="normal">They appeared to be much wanted, for Herr Wilberg, his hair carefully +parted, dressed in a frockcoat and presenting the general appearance of +an official suitor, stood rooted to the spot, as though he had fallen +unawares into a lion's den. He had prepared a neat little speech for +the important occasion, but his superior's grim looks and very +forbidding manner as he inquired "What he wanted?" were altogether +disconcerting to him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"My hopes and wishes"--stammered the lover, "encouraged by Fräulein +Mélanie's favour--the bliss of calling her my own."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I thought as much! The fellow can't even make his offer in a rational +manner!" grumbled the chief-engineer, not reflecting that his reception +was of a nature to discompose any suitor; as the young man stumbled on, +getting more and more confused in his speech, he cut him short.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, there, that's enough. What you hope and desire can be no secret +from me now. You want to have me for your father-in-law?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Wilberg looked as if this additional blessing, so inseparable from his +future marriage, did not afford him any special delight. "I beg your +pardon, sir, what I want is to have Fräulein Mélanie for my wife," he +replied shyly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh! and you will reluctantly take me into the bargain?" asked the +irritated father-in-law <i>in spe</i>. "I really don't know how you dare +come to me with such a proposal. Have you not been in love with Lady +Eugénie Berkow? Have you not filled reams of paper with verses +addressed to her? Why don't you go on still with your platonic +affection?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, that was years ago!" pleaded the lover in his defence. "Mélanie +has known that for a long time, indeed that was the very thing which +brought us together. There are two sorts of love, sir: the romance of +youth, which seeks its ideal in a higher sphere far removed and beyond +its reach, and another more durable affection, which finds its +happiness on earth."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh! and for this second matter-of-fact sort of sentiment my daughter +is good enough? Deuce take you!" cried the chief-engineer, furious.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You will not understand me," said Wilberg, deeply hurt, but still with +some consciousness of the advantage of his position; he knew what a +powerful reserve he had in the next room. "Mélanie understands me, she +has given me her hand and heart"----</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, this is a very pretty business," growled the exasperated +parent. "If daughters can bestow their hands and hearts in this manner +without more ado, I should like to know what fathers are here for! +Wilberg,"--here his face and manner became somewhat milder--"Wilberg, I +must do you the justice to say that you have become more rational +during the last few years, but you are far from being rational enough. +You have not left off versifying for one thing. I would wager you have +got some sonnets about you now."</p> + +<p class="normal">He glanced suspiciously at the young man's frock-coat. Wilberg reddened +a little.</p> + +<p class="normal">"As an affianced husband I should be quite justified in writing them?" +said be, with a sort of timid enquiry.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, and in giving serenades! We shall have a nice time of it this +summer," groaned the chief-engineer, in despair. "Look you, Wilberg, if +I did not know that Mélanie has got something of her father in her, and +that she will soon drive out all your romantic nonsense out of your +head, I would say no, once for all. But it seems to me you want a +sensible wife, and more particularly a sensible father-in-law who will +give you good advice from time to time, and as it appears it can't be +helped--well, you shall have both!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Whether the last-named advantage appeared as great in Herr Wilberg's +eyes must remain undecided; in delight at obtaining the first he forgot +everything else, and rushed up to embrace his new father-in-law, who +made short work of the ceremony.</p> + +<p class="normal">"There, don't let us have a scene," said he decidedly. "I can't stand +it, and we have not time for it now. Come along to Mélanie. You two +have plotted the whole matter together behind my back, but I tell you, +if ever I find you at your verse-making and my girl unhappy and with +red eyes, may the Lord help you!"</p> + +<p class="normal">While the chief-engineer thus resigned himself to an inevitable fate, +Arthur Berkow and Conrad von Windeg were standing together on the +terrace before the château, waiting for the latter's horse to be +brought round.</p> + +<p class="normal">The thorough metamorphosis which Arthur's inner man had undergone was +partly discernible in his outward appearance. He was no longer the +slender pale young dandy, the strength and bloom of whose youth had +nearly been destroyed by the life of the great city, but was now in all +respects such as one would picture the head and administrator of so +vast an undertaking. The lines, which long ago had been graven on his +brow, and which years of care and hard work had furrowed there more +deeply, could not be effaced by the present prosperous security. Such +marks, once made, do not again disappear, but they did not ill become +the manliness of his features.</p> + +<p class="normal">Conrad was still the high-spirited young officer whose bright eyes and +rosy lips had lost none of their gaiety and freshness, and for whom +life was enjoyable and charming as ever.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And I tell you, Arthur," he was asserting vehemently, "you do my +father injustice if you suppose he still feels any prejudice against +you. I wish you could have heard how he answered old Prince Waldstein +when he said that the gentlemen up in the hill-districts could not have +a very enviable time of it in the present troubled state of the +working-classes.</p> + +<p class="normal">"'That does not apply to my son-in-law, your Highness,' said my father +with great aplomb. 'His position is too well assured and the authority +he possesses over his people too complete for that; they are quite +enthusiastic in their devotion to him, and, besides, my son-in-law is +equal to any emergency.' But he has never forgiven you yet for refusing +that peerage; he can't forget that his grandson will be only plain +Berkow."</p> + +<p class="normal">Arthur smiled rather ironically.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, I trust the name will be no disgrace to him when he has to bear +it before the world, and it is to be hoped your father may live long +enough to see a Windeg at his side. How about your engagement, Conrad?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The young officer drew a wry face. "Well, it will be coming off soon," +he replied, rather slowly, "when we go back to Rabenau, probably. Count +Berning's estates join ours and the Countess Alma was eighteen last +spring. My father is of opinion that, as heir to the family, it is time +I should be seriously thinking of getting married. I am under orders to +make a declaration to the Countess this summer."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Orders!" said Arthur, laughing. "You are going to marry by order?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, what did you do?" asked Conrad, rather piqued.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Indeed yes, you are right But ours was an exceptional case."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Mine is not," returned Conrad indifferently. "The thing is generally +managed so in our set. My father will have it that I shall marry early +and suitably, and he will stand no contradiction, except perhaps from +you. You have impressed him so deeply that he will put up with +absolutely anything it may please you to say or do. After all, I have +nothing particular to urge against the marriage, except that I should +have liked to be free a little longer."</p> + +<p class="normal">Berkow shook his head. "I think, Con, you will do well to carry out +your father's plan in this. So far as I could see during our last visit +to Rabenau, Alma Berning is a charming girl, and it really is time for +you to show more of the future peer and less of the wild lieutenant in +your proceedings. He has got himself into some pretty scrapes, my young +lieutenant!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Conrad tossed his head.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, and on each occasion he has had to listen to a paternal lecture +in which his brother-in-law has been held up as a pattern and extolled +to the skies. I declare it has needed all my predilection for the model +to keep me from detesting you! In fact, the whole marriage project +dates from that. In one of these judicial encounters, I made the +mistake of saying 'Arthur did much worse in his time; it is only since +he has been married that he has become so remarkable for his +excellence,' and then it immediately occurred to my father to have me +married too.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, I don't care! I have no objection to make to Alma, and besides I +shall take example by you and Eugénie. You began your wedded life with +the utmost indifference, if not with downright aversion, to one +another, and you have ended by turning it into a perfect romance which +has not spun itself out yet. Perhaps it will be the same with us."</p> + +<p class="normal">A very sceptical smile played round Arthur's lips.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I doubt it, my dear Con; you hardly seem to me to be cut out for a +romance, and remember, every woman is not a Eugénie."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young Baron laughed out loud.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I declare, I thought something of that sort would come out. Just the +same tone in which Eugénie said to me this morning, when we were +talking of this: 'You cannot think of placing Arthur on a level with +other men!' I must say you are stretching out your honeymoon to a good +length."</p> + +<p class="normal">"We had to do without it at first, and one is generally inclined to +take double of a thing one has waited for. So you really cannot stay?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, my leave is out this evening. I came over principally to tell you +my father and brothers would soon be here. Good-bye for the present, +Arthur."</p> + +<p class="normal">His horse having been brought round while they were talking, he swung +himself into the saddle, waved an adieu to his brother-in-law and +galloped off. Arthur was about to return to the house, when an old +miner appeared on the terrace and took off his hat to the master.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah, Manager Hartmann!" said Berkow in a friendly tone. "Were you +coming to me?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The Manager came up with a respectful, but at the same time +confidential, manner.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, if you will excuse it, Herr Berkow. I was out there yonder giving +the orders, and I saw you come out with the young Baron. I thought I +should like to thank you at once for having appointed Lawrence to be +Deputy. It has brought great gladness to our house."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Lawrence has shown himself so clever and capable during the last +few years, he deserved the post, and he may want it with his +ever-increasing family."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, he has enough for his wife and children, I take care of that," +replied the Manager good-naturedly. "It was a right good thought of +Martha's to make it a condition that he should come and live in my +house. I am not left quite alone in my old age so, and I can take some +pleasure in their children. I have nothing else left me in all the +world."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Cannot you get over the old grief yet, Hartmann?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The Manager shook his head.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I cannot, Herr Berkow. He was my only son, and though he oftener gave +me pain than joy, though at last he had got far beyond all control +of mine with his wild ways, still I cannot forget my Ulric. Ah, +well-a-day! why was an old man like me saved just for that? With him +everything went down into the grave for me."</p> + +<p class="normal">The old man wiped the bitter tears from his eyes as he took the hand +Berkow held out to him in silent sympathy, and then went quietly away, +Eugénie had been standing in the doorway during the last few minutes; +she had paused there, not wishing to disturb the conversation. Now she +came up to her husband.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Cannot Hartmann feel resigned even yet?" she asked in a low voice. "I +never thought he cared so deeply, so passionately, for his son."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I can understand it," he said gravely, "as I could understand formerly +the blind attachment of his comrades. There was something about that +man which exercised a most powerful influence on all around him. If I +felt this, I who was fighting for my life against him, how much more +they for whom he fought! What might that Ulric not have achieved for +him and his, if he had had a truer notion of the task before him, and +had taken it up in another spirit than that of hatred, bent only on +overturning all existing things."</p> + +<p class="normal">His wife looked up at him half reproachfully.</p> + +<p class="normal">"He showed us that he was capable of something better than hate. He was +your enemy, but when it came to be a question of saving one of you, he +snatched you from the danger and freely encountered death himself."</p> + +<p class="normal">At the remembrance of that time a shade fell on Arthur's face.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I, of all men, have least the right to bring accusations against him, +and I never have done so since his hand rescued me from destruction. +But believe me, Eugénie, a complete reconciliation would never have +been possible with such a nature as his. He would always have been an +element of danger, disturbing the peace between me and the people, and +striving with me for the dominion over them. Things had gone so far, he +could not have been allowed to go quite unpunished. If I had not +accused and passed judgment on him, others would have done so. All that +has been spared both him and us."</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugénie leaned her head on her husband's shoulder. It was the same fair +beautiful head, with the dark, dark eyes, but her face was fresher and +rosier than of old. The former paleness and marble stillness had given +way to that expression which happiness alone can bring.</p> + +<p class="normal">"That was a bad time, Arthur, which came after the catastrophe," said +she with a slight tremor in her voice. "You had hard work to fight +through, so hard that at times my courage nearly failed me when I saw +the cloud growing darker and darker on your brow, your eyes more and +more troubled, and I could do nothing but just stay at your side!"</p> + +<p class="normal">He bent over her with infinite tenderness.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And was not that enough? in that long struggle I learned all the power +of those two words which brace a man to exertion and make it sweet. I +used to repeat them whenever the waves threatened to close over me, and +they helped me to success at last: my wife and my child."</p> + +<p class="normal">The sun stood high in the heavens, shining down brightly from the clear +summer sky and pouring its rays on the château with its gardens and +flowery terraces; on the works out yonder, teeming with life and +manifold movement, which made it seem not a small thing to be ruler +over such a world; on the mountains ranged around, forest-crowns on +their lofty heads, and within, hiding far below in their depths, a +mysterious busy kingdom of their own. This sombre region, which the +great rocky arms would fain have shut for ever from mortal eye, has +yielded to the might of man's mighty intellect, and opened to admit +those forces which press ever onwards, pioneering their way despite of +clefts and precipices. So the earth has been robbed of the treasures +she held imprisoned in endless night, and they are borne up to the +light of day, freed by the magic of human skill and industry.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h3>FOOTNOTE:</h3> +<br> +<p class="hang1"><a name="div2_01" href="#div2Ref_01">Footnote 1</a>: The +expression used in the original has no equivalent in +English. "Gluck auf!" the traditional greeting among miners, conveys to +the person addressed a wish not only for his luck, but for his safety. +It forms the title of the German story.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h3>THE END.</h3> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<p class="center"><i>Printed by </i><span class="sc2">R. & R. Clark</span>, <i> +Edinburgh</i>.</p> + + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Success and How He Won It, by E. 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