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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Riven Bonds.  Vol. II., by E. 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: Riven Bonds.  Vol. II.
+       A Novel, in Two Volumes
+
+Author: E. Werner
+
+Translator: Bertha Ness
+
+Release Date: February 14, 2011 [EBook #35284]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RIVEN BONDS.  VOL. II. ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Charles Bowen, from page scans provided by Google Books.
+
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's Note:
+
+   1. Page scan source:
+      http://books.google.com/books?id=jd4BAAAAQAAJ&dq
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                              RIVEN BONDS.
+
+                                A Novel,
+
+
+                            IN TWO VOLUMES.
+
+
+                             TRANSLATED BY
+                              BERTHA NESS,
+
+
+                   _FROM THE ORIGINAL OF E. WERNER_,
+
+                 Author of "SUCCESS AND HOW HE WON IT,"
+                          "UNDER A CHARM," &c.
+
+
+
+                           *   *   *   *   *
+                                VOL. II.
+                           *   *   *   *   *
+
+
+
+                                London:
+                           REMINGTON AND CO.,
+                    5, Arundel Street, Strand, W.C.
+
+                                 1877.
+
+                        [_All Rights Reserved_.]
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                              RIVEN BONDS.
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER I.
+
+
+"No!" said Captain Almbach. "That cannot be! I have to make a
+confession to you, Ella, at the risk of your showing me to the door."
+
+"What have you to confess to me?" asked the astonished Ella.
+
+Hugo looked down.
+
+"That I am still the 'adventurer,' whom you once took so sternly to
+task. It did not improve him certainly, but he never attempted since to
+approach you with his follies, and cannot to-day either. To make my
+tale short, I had no idea you were the inhabitant of this villa, when I
+directed my steps here. I had myself announced to a perfectly strange
+gentleman, because Marchese Tortoni had spoken of a young lady, who
+lived here in complete seclusion, and yes--I knew before hand, that you
+would look at me in this way--"
+
+Her glance had indeed met him sadly and reproachfully; then she turned
+silently away and looked out of the window. A pause ensued--Hugo went
+to her side.
+
+"It was chance which brought me here now, Ella. I am waiting for my
+lecture."
+
+"You are free, and have no duty to injure," said the young wife,
+coldly. "Besides, my opinion in such matters can hardly have any
+influence upon you, Herr Captain Almbach."
+
+"And so Herr Captain Almbach must retire, to find the doors closed
+against him next time, is it not so?" Unmistakable agitation was heard
+in his voice. "You are very unjust towards me. That I, thinking to find
+perfect strangers here, did undertake an adventure--well, that is
+nothing new to me; but that I was guilty of the boundless folly of
+confessing it to you, although I had the best excuse for deception,
+that is very new, and I was only forced to it by your eyes, which
+looked at me so big and enquiringly, that I became red as a schoolboy,
+and could not go away with a lie. Therefore I hear Herr Captain Almbach
+again, who, thank God, had disappeared from our conversation for the
+last quarter of an hour."
+
+Ella shook her head slightly.
+
+"You have spoiled all my pleasure in our meeting now, certainly----"
+
+"Did it please you? Did it really?" cried Hugo, interrupting her
+eagerly, with sparkling eyes.
+
+"Of course," said she, quietly. "One is always pleased, when far away,
+to find greetings and remembrances from home."
+
+"Yes," said Hugo, slowly. "I had quite forgotten that we are country
+people also. Then you only recognised the German in me? I must confess
+honestly that my feelings were not so purely patriotic when I saw you
+again."
+
+"Notwithstanding the unavoidable disillusion which your discovery
+prepared for you?" asked Ella, somewhat sharply.
+
+Captain Almbach looked at her unabashed for a few seconds.
+
+"You make me suffer greatly for the imprudent confession, Ella. Be it
+so! I must bear it. Only one question before I go, or one petition
+rather. May I come again?"
+
+She hesitated with her reply; he came a step nearer.
+
+"May I come again? Ella, what have I done to you that you would banish
+me also from your threshold?"
+
+There lay a reproach in the words, which did not fail to make an
+impression upon her.
+
+"I do not do so either," replied she, gently. "If you would seek me
+again, our door shall not be closed to _you_."
+
+With quick movement, Hugo caught her hand, and carried it to his lips,
+but those lips rested on it unusually long, much longer than is
+customary in kissing a hand, and Ella appeared to think so, as she drew
+it somewhat hastily away. Equally hastily Captain Almbach drew himself
+up; the slight red tint which had before lain on his forehead was there
+again, and he, who was at other times never at a loss for a civility or
+suitable reply, said now merely monosyllabically--
+
+"Thank you. Until we meet again, then!"
+
+"Until we meet again!" replied Ella, with a confusion that contrasted
+strangely with the calm and decision which she had shown throughout the
+whole interview. It almost seemed as if she repented the permission
+just given, and which still she could not withdraw.
+
+A few minutes later, Captain Almbach found himself in the open air, and
+slowly he began his return to Mirando. He had again carried out his
+will, and fulfilled the promise made so confidently that morning. But
+he seemed little inclined to make much of his triumph. Looking back to
+the villa, he passed his hand across his forehead, like some one
+awaking from a dream.
+
+"I believe that the elegiac atmosphere of Mirando has infected me," he
+muttered, angrily. "I begin to look upon the simplest things from the
+most fantastically, romantic point of view. What is there, then, in
+this meeting that I cannot get over it? The Erlau drawing-rooms have
+been a good school to be sure, and the pupil has learned unexpectedly,
+quickly, and easily. I suspected something of that for long, and
+yet--folly! What is it to me if Reinhold learn at last to repent his
+blindness! And she does not even know how near he is, so near that a
+meeting cannot be avoided much longer. I fear any attempt at
+approaching her would cost Reinhold much dearer than that first one.
+What a singularly icy expression there was in her face when I hinted at
+the possibility of a reconciliation! That;" here Hugo breathed more
+freely, perhaps, in unacknowledged but great satisfaction--"that said,
+No! to all eternity. And if chance or fate lead them together, now, it
+is too late--now _he_ has lost her."
+
+On the mirror-like blue sea a boat glided, which, coming from S----,
+bore in the direction of Mirando. The bark's elegant exterior showed
+that it was the property of some rich family, and the two rowers wore
+the livery of the Tortonis. Nevertheless, for the gentleman, who
+besides these two was the sole occupant of the boat, neither the rapid
+motion nor the magnificent panorama all around appeared to possess the
+slightest interest. He leant back in his seat, with closed eyes, as if
+asleep, and only looked up at last when the boat lay to at the marble
+steps, which led directly down from the villa's terrace to the sea. He
+stepped out. A sign dismissed the two men, who, like all the Marchese's
+servants, were accustomed to pay to their master's celebrated guest,
+the same respect as to himself. A few strokes of the oars carried the
+boat to one side, and immediately after it was anchored in the little
+harbour away by the park.
+
+Reinhold stepped on to the steps, and ascended them slowly. He came
+from S----, where Beatrice had, in the meantime, arrived. As usual, the
+actress here, also, where all foreigners and inhabitants of position
+assembled for their _villegiatura_, was surrounded by acquaintances and
+admirers, and Reinhold no sooner found himself at her side than the
+same fate, and, indeed, to a greater extent, became his. In Beatrice's
+vicinity there was no rest and no relaxation for him; she dragged him
+at once into the vortex with her. The hours, which he intended to spend
+with her, had become days, which in excitement and distraction did not
+yield the palm to the last weeks in town, and after having accompanied
+her yester evening to a large fête, which had continued the whole night
+until morning's dawn, he had torn himself away at day-break, and thrown
+himself into the boat in order to return to Mirando.
+
+He drew a deep breath at the quiet and loneliness around him,
+undisturbed even by a word of greeting or welcome. Cesario, as he knew,
+had early this morning undertaken an expedition to the neighbouring
+island, in Hugo's company, from which both were only expected back
+towards evening, and for strangers the villa was not yet accessible.
+The young Marchese did not like to be disturbed in the seclusion of his
+_villegiatura_, and his steward had received orders not to allow any
+strange visitors to enter during his residence, an order which was
+carried out most strictly, to the great dissatisfaction of travellers,
+by whom Mirando was considered a favourite goal for excursions. The
+estate, with its extensive gardens, and magnificent buildings, which in
+the north would certainly have been called a castle, and here merely
+bore the modest name of a villa, was celebrated far and near, not only
+on account of its paradise-like situation and the boundless view over
+the sea, but also because of the rich art-treasures which it concealed
+inside, and which now merely charmed the eyes of the few who had the
+good fortune of being permitted to call themselves the Marchese's
+guests.
+
+Short of rest, tired, and yet unable to seek repose and sleep, Reinhold
+threw himself on to one of the marble benches in the shade of the
+colonnade; he felt strained to the utmost exhaustion. Yes, these sultry
+Italian nights, with their intoxicating perfume of flowers, and their
+moonlight quiet, or the noisy clamour of a feast, these sunshiny days,
+with the ever-blue sky, and the glowing splendour of the earth's
+colours, they had given him everything of which he had ever dreamed in
+the cold, dreary north; but they had also cost him the best part of his
+life's strength. The time was long since passed when all existence
+appeared to be only one course of glowing intoxication and of inspiring
+dreams to the young composer. This had lasted for months, for years;
+then gradually weariness came on, and at last the awaking, when this
+beautiful world, sparkling with colour, lay so empty and cold before
+him, where the ideals collapsed, and freedom, once so fiercely longed
+for, became an endless desert, to which no duty, but also no desire set
+a limit. With the fetters which he had broken so eagerly and ruthlessly
+he had also lost the reins; he wandered out into the boundless, and the
+boundlessness had become a curse to him.
+
+Certainly, the internal Prometheus-like spark preserved the artist from
+the fate which overtook so many others, from that helpless sinking into
+a sensation of being surfeited and indifferent to everything; but the
+same power which ever and ever again forced him out of it, drove him
+helpless hither and thither, seeking the only thing which was wanting,
+and ever would be wanting. Italy in all its beauty was not able to give
+it to him, not Beatrice's glowing love, not art, which had offered him
+the fullest wealth of fame--the phantom melted so soon as he stretched
+out his arms towards it. And even if the wondrous flora of the south
+had displayed itself to him in all its exhilarating glory, still he
+would not have found the blue flower of the fairy legends.
+
+Reinhold started up suddenly from his dreams, something had disturbed
+him in them. Was it a step, a rustle?--he raised himself, and, with
+extreme surprise, saw a lady standing only a few paces distant on the
+terrace, gazing out over the sea. What could it mean? How did this
+stranger come here, now when Mirando was not accessible to visitors;
+she could only a few minutes since have passed through the open door
+leading into the saloon, which contained the celebrated collection of
+pictures, belonging to the villa, and appeared to have remarked the
+solitary dreamer in the colonnade as little as he had remarked her.
+
+Reinhold had long since become indifferent to woman's beauty, but
+involuntarily this apparition enchained him. She stood under the shadow
+of one of the gigantic vases which ornamented the terrace; only the
+bowed head was caught by the full sunlight, and the heavy blonde plaits
+gleamed in the rays like spun gold. Her face was half averted. Her
+delicate, clear and nobly chiselled profile could hardly be seen. Her
+slight figure in its airy white robes leaned lightly in an undeniably
+graceful attitude against the marble balustrade; her left hand rested
+on it, while the drooping right one held her straw hat decorated with
+flowers. She stood immovable, quite lost in contemplation of the sea,
+and had evidently no idea that she was observed.
+
+It was still early in the day. The morning had risen bright and clear
+out of the sea, and now lay smiling sunnily in dewy freshness over the
+whole country. A blue mist still encircled the mountains and the
+distant coasts, whose lines seemed to tremble as if blown with a breath
+on the horizon, and the still moist air was quivering as if with a
+silvery light. There was something fairy-like in this morning hour and
+this surrounding, above all in yonder white figure with the golden
+glimmering hair, and Mirando itself, with its white marble pillars and
+terraces, appeared like a fairy castle, which had risen out of the
+liquid depths. Deep blue was the arching sky above, and deep blue the
+sea laving its feet. The scent of flowers was wafted hither from the
+gardens, but ghostly silence reigned everywhere, as if all life were
+banished or sunk in sleep. No sound anywhere, nothing but the gentle
+splashing of the sea, ever the same dream-like murmur of the waves,
+which kissed the marble steps, and before one nothing to be seen save
+the blue, heaving expanse, which extended far away into boundless
+distance.
+
+Reinhold remained motionless in his position, he would not disturb the
+charm of this moment by any movement. It was as if a breath of the old
+legendary poems of his home were wafted to him, long forgotten but
+rising now suddenly before him with all their melancholy charms.
+Suddenly this deep calm was interrupted by the clear joyfulness of a
+child's voice. A boy of about seven or eight rushed up the steps of the
+terrace, a large shining mussel shell in his hand, which he had picked
+up somewhere on the shore. The child was evidently most delighted with
+his discovery, his whole little face beamed, as, with glowing cheeks
+and streaming locks, he hastened towards the lady, who turned her head
+round at his cry.
+
+With a half suppressed exclamation, Reinhold sprang up and remained as
+if rooted to the ground. The moment she had turned her face completely
+towards him, he recognised the stranger, who bore Ella's features and
+yet could not be Ella. Bewildered, deadly pale, he stared at the lady,
+whose poetical appearance he had just been admiring, and who yet, in
+every feature, resembled his so despised, and at last forsaken wife.
+She, too, had recognised him; the intense pallor which also overspread
+her face, betrayed it, as did her sudden start backwards. She grasped
+the marble balustrade as if seeking for support, but now the boy had
+reached her and, holding the mussel aloft with both hands, cried
+triumphantly--
+
+"Mamma! dear mamma, see what I have found!"
+
+This roused Reinhold from his stupor. Bewilderment, fright,
+astonishment, all disappeared as he heard his child's voice. Following
+the impulse of the moment, he rushed forward, and stretched out his
+arms, to draw the boy eagerly to his breast.
+
+"Reinhold!"
+
+Almbach stopped as if struck; but the name was not for him, only for
+the boy, who, immediately obeying her call, hastened to his mother.
+With a rapid movement she placed both arms around him, as if to protect
+and conceal her child, and then drew herself up. The pallor had not
+left her face yet, her lips still trembled, but her voice sounded firm
+and energetic.
+
+"You must not trouble strangers, Reinhold. Come, my child! We will
+go."
+
+Almbach started, and stepped back a pace; the tone was as new to him as
+the whole person of her, whom he once called his wife. Had he not
+recognised her voice, he would have believed more than ever in a
+delusion. The little one, on the contrary, looked up in surprise at the
+rebuke. He had not even gone near to the strange gentleman, and
+certainly had not troubled him, but he saw in his mother's
+colourlessness and excitement that something unusual had occurred, and
+the child's large blue eyes fixed themselves defiantly, almost
+antagonistically upon the stranger, who, he guessed instinctively, was
+the cause of his mother's alarm.
+
+Ella bad already recovered herself. She turned to go, her arm still
+held firmly round her boy's shoulder, but Reinhold now stepped hastily
+in her way--she was obliged to stop.
+
+"Will you be so good as to allow us to pass?" said she, coldly and
+distantly. "I beg you to do so."
+
+"What does this mean, Ella?" exclaimed Reinhold, now in passionate
+excitement. "You have recognised me, as well as I have you. Why this
+tone between us?"
+
+She looked at him; in that glance lay the whole reply; icy-cold,
+annihilating scorn; he had indeed never deemed it possible that Ella's
+eyes could look thus, but he turned his to the ground beneath them.
+
+"Will you be so good as to leave us the road free, Signor?" she
+repeated in perfectly pure Italian, as if she imagined that he did not
+understand German. There lay a positive tone of command in the words,
+and Reinhold--obeyed. His self-possession quite lost, he moved aside
+and let her pass. He saw how she descended the steps with the child,
+how a servant below, in strange livery, who seemed to have waited,
+joined them, and how all three hurried through the gardens; but he
+himself still stood above on the terrace and tried to remember whether
+he had been dreaming and the whole had not been merely a picture of his
+imagination.
+
+The noisy locking of the door which led to the picture gallery, brought
+him back to his senses. A few steps took him there, and throwing the
+door open roughly he entered the saloon, where the steward of Mirando
+was just engaged in letting the blinds down again, which he had drawn
+up to give a better light.
+
+"Who was the lady with the child, who was just now on the terrace?"
+With this hasty question, Reinhold rushed in upon the man, who seemed
+shocked when he saw his master's guest before him, having believed him
+still to be in S----; he hesitated with his reply in evident confusion.
+
+"Pardon me, Signor, I had no idea that you had returned already, and as
+Eccellenza and the Signor Capitano are only expected this evening, I
+ventured----"
+
+"Who was the lady?" persisted Reinhold, in feverish impatience, without
+paying attention to the answer. "Where did she come from?--quick, I
+must know it!"
+
+"From the villa Fiorina," said the steward half-wonderingly,
+half-frightened at the questioner's eagerness. "The strange lady wished
+to see Mirando, and let her servant apply for her. Eccellenza has
+certainly ordered that no visitors are to be admitted during his
+residence here, but this morning no one was at home, so I thought I
+might make an exception;" he paused, and then added, in a tone of
+entreaty, "It would be sure to cause me great trouble with Eccellenza,
+if Signor Rinaldo were to tell him."
+
+"I? no," said Reinhold, absently, "what was the lady's name?"
+
+"Erlau, if I understood rightly."
+
+"Erlau?--oh!" Almbach passed his hand over his forehead; "That is all,
+Mariano, thank you," said he, and left the saloon.
+
+                           *   *   *   *   *
+
+The day had become burningly hot, nor did the evening bring coolness or
+refreshment. Air and sea did not appear to be stirred by any breath,
+and the sun went down in hot clouds of mist. In the villa Fiorina also
+they seemed to suffer from the oppression. The inhabitants confined
+themselves probably to the cooler rooms, as the jalousies had not been
+opened the whole day, and the glass doors which led to the terrace
+remained closed. The German family hardly occupied half of the
+capacious dwelling which it had engaged entirely for itself. A
+few rooms to the right of the garden saloon were arranged for the
+Consul--those on the opposite side were inhabited by his adopted
+daughter, with her child; the servants were located in the back
+apartments, and the rest remained empty.
+
+The evening was already far advanced when Ella entered the garden
+saloon, which was illuminated by a lamp. The Consul had retired to
+rest, and she came from her boy, whom, after he had fallen asleep, she
+had left to his attendant's care. Perhaps it was the dim light which
+made her face still appear pale; the colour had not returned to it
+since the morning, even although her features seemed perfectly calm.
+
+She opened the glass door and stepped out on to the terrace. Outside,
+perfect darkness reigned already; no moon's rays pierced the clouds
+which still enveloped the sky, no breath of wind from the sea moved the
+blooming shrubs; sultry and heavy, the air seemed regularly to weigh
+upon the earth, and the sea lay in idle repose, almost motionless. It
+was alarming in this dense stillness and darkness, yet Ella appeared to
+prefer this to remaining in the lighted garden saloon. She stood
+leaning against the stone balustrade, as in the morning, partially
+still in the pale circle of light which fell through the open door on
+to the terrace, and, although indistinctly, displayed the slight form.
+
+A few moments may have passed thus, when she was startled by a noise
+near her. With a low cry, she tried to take refuge in the house, as
+close by her there stood a tall, dark man's figure; at the same moment,
+however, a hand was laid upon her arm, and a suppressed voice said--
+
+"Be composed, Ella, it is neither a robber nor a thief who stands
+before you, although you have forced me to choose the path of such an
+one."
+
+The young wife had recognised Reinhold's voice at the first word, but
+she only drew back nearer to the threshold of the glass door.
+
+"What do you desire, Signor?" said she coldly, in Italian. "And what
+does this intrusion at such an hour mean?"
+
+Reinhold had followed her, but he did not again attempt to touch her
+arm, or even go near her.
+
+"Above all, I wish you to have the goodness to speak German to me,"
+retorted he, with difficulty restraining his excitement. "I have not
+quite forgotten our own language, as you seem to suppose. Whence do I
+come? From yonder boat! The terrace, at least is not so inaccessible as
+the doors of your house, which remained closed to me."
+
+He pointed towards the sea. It was a risk to ascend the high stone
+terrace from a tossing boat, but Reinhold did not seem to be in a mood
+to think of the possibility of danger. He had apparently been there
+already when she came out, and now continued more excitedly--
+
+"It is probably not unknown to you that I have been here once already
+this morning. But you refused me, or rather Erlau did, because as a
+matter of course I was not so wanting in tact as to enquire for you. He
+neither received me nor the note, which contained my petition, yet you
+must both have known what brought me here, so nothing but self-help
+remained. You see I have gained admittance after all."
+
+He spoke with keenest bitterness. The proud composer felt the double
+rejection which he had experienced to-day to be a deadly insult. One
+could hear how he struggled with his pride, even now, for every word,
+and it must have been a powerful motive which brought him here,
+notwithstanding all, and by such a path! His wife had clearly no share
+in it, as he stood opposite her in gloomy, unbending defiance. As a
+boy, Reinhold Almbach could never bear to humble himself, not even when
+he knew himself to be wrong, and during the latter years he had too
+often gained the dangerous experience that any error he committed was
+covered by the right of genius, which may permit itself to do almost
+anything.
+
+While these last words were being spoken, they had entered the garden
+below. In the middle of it Ella stopped.
+
+"Signor Rinaldo appears to have mistaken his way, this time," said she,
+certainly in German, but in the same tone as before. "Yonder in S----,
+lies the villa where Signora Biancona resides, and it can only be a
+mistake which landed his boat at our terrace."
+
+The reproach hit him; Almbach's defiant look sank, and for a few
+moments he was at a loss for a reply.
+
+"I do not seek Signora Biancona this time," replied he at last, "and
+that I am not permitted to seek Eleonore Almbach, she showed me
+sufficiently this morning. It was not my intention to offend you again
+by sight of me; it would have been spared you, had you acceded to my
+written request. I came to see my child alone."
+
+With a rapid step the young wife reached the bedroom door, and placed
+herself before it. She did not speak a word, but in the evident
+internal emotion there lay such an energetic protest, that Reinhold
+immediately understood her intention.
+
+"Will you not allow me to embrace my son?" asked he, angrily.
+
+"No," was the firm reply, given with the most positive determination.
+
+Reinhold was about to fly into a passion; she saw how he clenched his
+fist, but he forced himself to be calm.
+
+"I see that I did your late father injustice," said he, bitterly; "I
+took it to be his work that all news of my boy was withheld from me.
+Did you read my first letter yourself, and leave it unanswered?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"And returned the second unopened?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+Reinhold's face changed from red to white; mutely he gazed at his wife,
+from whose lips he had never heard an expression of her own will, much
+less any opposition--whom he only knew as humbly and silently obedient,
+and who now dared to refuse with such decision to grant him what he
+considered his own right.
+
+"Take care, Ella," said he, firmly, "whatever may have taken place
+between us, whatever you may have to reproach me with, this tone of
+scorn I will not endure; and above all, I will not tolerate being
+refused the sight of my boy. I will see my child."
+
+The demand sounded almost threatening. The young wife's pale cheeks
+began to colour slightly, but she did not move from her place.
+
+"Your child?" asked she, slowly; "the boy belongs to me, me only; you
+lost every right to him when you left him with me."
+
+"That may still be questioned," cried Almbach, beginning to wax
+furious. "Are we judicially separated? Has the law given Reinhold to
+you? He remains my son, whatever there may be between you and me; and
+if you refuse me my rights as a father any longer, I shall know how to
+enforce them."
+
+The threat was not without effect, but it quite failed in its purpose.
+Ella drew herself up, and exclaimed with quivering lips, but with great
+energy--
+
+"You will not do that; you have not the conscience to do it, and if you
+had, there is, thank God, another power to which I can appeal, and
+which is, perhaps, not quite so indifferent to you as the family bonds
+and duties which you broke so lightly. The world would learn that
+Signor Rinaldo, after he had forsaken his wife and child for years, and
+had not enquired after them, now dares to threaten his wife with the
+same laws which he scorned and spurned with his feet, because she does
+not choose that her boy should call him father; and all your fame, and
+all the adoration yonder, would not protect you from the merited
+contempt."
+
+"Eleonore!"
+
+It was a cry of rage which escaped his lips as she uttered the last
+word, and his eyes flashed in terrific wildness down upon the delicate
+form standing before him. Once Reinhold's passion was excited to its
+utmost, it knew no limits, and all around him were wont to tremble.
+Even Beatrice, although so little his inferior in violence, dared not
+at such moments irritate him farther; she knew where the line was
+drawn, and once this was reached she always yielded. Here it was
+different; the first time for years he was stranded by another's will;
+before the eyes which met his own, so clear and large, his defiance
+succumbed altogether--he was silent.
+
+"You see yourself that it would be worse than mockery were you to
+resort to law," said his wife, more calmly.
+
+Reinhold leaned heavily against the seat near which he stood. Was it
+shame or anger made the hand tremble which buried itself in the
+cushion?
+
+"I see that I laboured under a serious mistake when I believed I knew
+the woman who was called my wife for two years," replied he, in a
+singularly compressed tone. "Had you only once shown yourself to be the
+same Eleonore whom I meet now, much would have remained undone. Who
+taught you this language?"
+
+"The hour in which you forsook me," replied she, with annihilating
+coldness, as she turned away.
+
+"That hour seems to have given you much more that was once foreign to
+you--the pleasure of revenge, for example."
+
+"And the pride, which I never knew, towards you," completed Ella. "I
+had first to be crushed to the ground, but it awoke and showed me what
+I owed to myself and my child, the only thing you had left to me, the
+only thing that kept me up; for his sake I began again to learn, to
+work, when the time for learning lay far behind me; for his sake I
+roused myself above the prejudices and trammels of my education, and
+gave my life a new direction when my parents' death made me free. I
+must be everything now to the child, as it was everything to me, and I
+had sworn that my child should never be ashamed of its mother, as his
+father was ashamed of her, because externally she was inferior to other
+women."
+
+Almbach's brow was dyed a deeper red at the last words--
+
+"It was not my intention to dispute Reinhold with you," said he
+hastily. "I only wished to see him in your presence if it must be. You
+know only too well what a weapon the child is in your hands, and you
+use it mercilessly against me, Ella." He came nearer to her and for the
+first time there was something like a tone of entreaty in his voice.
+"Ella, it is our child. This link at least extends out of the past into
+the present, the only one between us which is not broken. Will you
+break it now? Shall the chance which brought us together really remain
+merely chance? It lies in your hands to make it a turning point of fate
+which may perhaps be for the good of us both."
+
+The hint was plain enough, but the young wife drew back, and on her
+countenance again that expression, full of meaning--that "No!" spoke to
+all eternity.
+
+"For us both?" repeated she. "Then you really believe I could find
+happiness by your side, after all you have done to me? Truly Reinhold,
+you must be much impressed with your own value, or my worthlessness,
+that you venture to offer it to me. Certainly, when could you have
+learned respect for me? It was not possible in my parents' house. I was
+brought up in obedience and submission, and I brought both to my
+husband. What was my reward for it? I was the last in his house, and
+the last in his heart. He never thought it worth while to ask if the
+woman, to whom he had bound himself, was really so contracted in mind,
+so incapable of appreciating anything higher, or if she were only
+rendered timid by the oppression of her mode of bringing up, from which
+we both suffered. He rejected my shy attempt to approach him,
+scornfully, woundingly, and let me feel hourly and daily that only the
+merit of being his child's mother gave me any claim upon his endurance.
+And when art and life were opened to him, he cast me aside as a burden,
+which he had borne long enough with dislike; he gave me up to be the
+talk of the world, to scorn, to dishonouring pity; he left me for the
+sake of another, and at this other's side never asked if his wife's
+heart were broken at the death-stroke he had dealt her--and now, you
+think that only one word is needed to undo all this! You think you only
+require to stretch out your hand to draw to yourself again that which
+once you rejected! Do you think it? No; one cannot play so with what is
+holiest upon earth; and if you thought the despised, repulsed Ella
+would obey the first sign by which you signify that you would take her
+back into favour, I tell you now she would rather die with her child,
+than follow you once more. You have set yourself free from your duties
+as husband and father, and we have learnt to do without the husband and
+father. You have shown it, plainly enough, that we are the 'bonds'
+which fettered the wings of your genius--well, now they are broken,
+broken by you, and I give you my word for it, they shall never oppress
+you again. You have your laurels and your--muse; what do you want with
+wife and child also?"
+
+She ceased, overcome with excitement, and pressed both hands against
+her stormily heaving bosom. Reinhold had become deadly pale, and yet
+his eyes hung on her as if enchained. The lamp-light fell full upon her
+face and the fair plaits as on that evening when he announced the
+separation so mercilessly. But what had become of that Ella who then
+hung timidly and shyly on his looks, and obediently followed every
+sign, every mood? No one trait of her was to be discovered in the being
+who stood drawn up opposite him, so haughty and proud, and who hurled
+back so energetically upon him the humiliations she had once received.
+They could burn, these blue fairy-tale eyes, burn in glowing
+indignation; he saw this now, but he saw also, for the first time, how
+wondrously beautiful they were, how ravishing the whole appearance of
+the young wife--in the excitement, and amid the anger and rage of the
+highly irritated husband, something flashed out which almost resembled
+admiration.
+
+"Is that your final word?" asked he at last, after a pause of some
+seconds.
+
+"My final one!"
+
+With a rapid movement, Reinhold drew himself up. All his antagonism and
+pride broke forth again at this mode of refusal. He went towards the
+door, while Ella remained immovable at her post, but at the threshold
+he stopped once more and turned back.
+
+"I did not ask if my wife's heart were broken by the death-stroke which
+I dealt her," repeated he in a smothered voice; "Did you feel it at all,
+Ella?"
+
+She was silent.
+
+"I certainly did not believe it then," continued Reinhold bitterly,
+"and to-day's meeting makes me doubt more than ever that your heart
+suffered from a separation which certainly wounded your pride more
+deeply than I had ever deemed possible. You need not guard the door so
+anxiously; I see, indeed, that I must first dash you aside in order to
+reach the child, and that courage I possess not. You have conquered
+this time; I renounce my purpose of seeing him again. Farewell!"
+
+He went. She heard his steps outside on the terrace, then the rustle of
+the shrubs as he pushed his way through them, and at last the stroke of
+the oars, which bore the boat away from the shore. The wife breathed
+more freely, and left the place she had defended so energetically. She
+went to the glass door; perhaps a slight anxiety arose in her as to
+whether the venturesome leap from the terrace would be as successful as
+the ascent to it had been, but in the darkness nothing could be
+distinguished. As before, the sea lay in idle calm. Far above, the
+still, sultry night spread its wings, and flowers bloomed all around,
+but every trace of Reinhold had disappeared.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER II.
+
+
+The clear balmy spring days were followed by summer's burning glow. The
+gulf and its environs lay day after day illuminated by the sun in all
+their beauty, but also in the almost tropical heat of the south; only
+the sea breeze brought any coolness, so that the sea was the object of
+most excursions which were now undertaken.
+
+This repose of nature, which had continued for some weeks, was followed
+at last by an outbreak; a thunderstorm raged in the air, and stirred up
+the ocean to its innermost depths. The storm had come up so quickly,
+broken loose so suddenly, that no one had been prepared for it, and it
+had lasted for more than an hour already, with undiminished fury.
+
+A boat shot through the foaming waves, and, apparently overtaken by the
+storm, found itself struggling with the billows. For some time it had
+been in danger of being seized without hope of rescue, and dashed out
+into the open sea, but now with full sails set it flew towards the
+coast, and after a few futile attempts succeeded at last in being
+landed.
+
+"That is really racing with the storm for a wager," cried Hugo Almbach,
+as he, wet through with rain and spray, was the first to spring on
+shore. "For this once we have fortunately escaped the wet embrace of
+the goddess of the sea. We were near enough to her."
+
+"It was lucky having such a true sailor with us," said Marchese
+Tortoni, following him in a not less wet condition. "It was a
+master-work, Signor Capitano, bringing us safely on shore in such a
+storm. We should have been lost without you." Reinhold lifted the half
+unconscious Signora Biancona, who clung to him, trembling and deadly
+pale, out of the boat. "For heaven's sake, calm yourself, Beatrice! The
+danger is over," said he impatiently, as the last occupant of the boat,
+the English gentleman, who had been present at Hugo's former
+_incognito_ discussion with Maestro Gianelli, also gained _terra
+firma_.
+
+In the meanwhile, Jonas poured forth all his contempt upon the two
+sailors to whom the guidance had originally been entrusted, and who
+fortunately did not understand the terms of praise addressed to them in
+German.
+
+"They call themselves sailors, they want to manage a ship, and when a
+paltry storm comes on, they lose their heads and cry to their saints.
+If my Herr Captain had not seized the rudder out of your hands, and I
+taken the sails upon myself, we should now be lying below with the
+sharks. I should like you to experience such a storm as our 'Ellida'
+underwent before we ran in here, then you would know what a little
+blowing on your gulf means."
+
+The little blowing would have been looked upon by any one else than the
+sailor as a regular stiff storm. At all events it had endangered the
+lives of the party, and they owed their safety only to the energetic
+guidance of Captain Almbach, who now turned aside from the Marchese's
+and the Englishman's expression of thanks.
+
+"Do not mention it, Signor! Such a trip is nothing new or unusual to
+me. I only pitied you, on account of the disagreeable circumstances in
+which you had been placed by the temper of a pretty woman."
+
+"Yes, women are to blame for everything," muttered Jonas furiously,
+while Hugo continued in an undertone--
+
+"I knew two hours ago what the sky and sea prophesied to us,
+notwithstanding their bright appearance. You know how earnestly I
+opposed the trip; however, Signora Biancona insisted positively upon
+it, and condescended to scoff at the 'timid sailor,' who could not even
+'venture upon his own element.' I think surely my courage will be
+rather less doubtful in her eyes; hers on the contrary"--he broke off
+suddenly, and made a few steps to the other side. "May I enquire how
+you feel, Signora?"
+
+Beatrice still trembled; but the sight of her opponent, who stood
+before her like the perfection of politeness, and perfection of malice,
+restored her consciousness to some extent. That he opposed the
+expedition had been sufficient to make her insist upon it with intense
+obstinacy, and render the other gentlemen deaf to all warning by her
+mocking remarks. The deadly fear of the last hour had given her a
+bitter lesson, certainly, and it was still more bitter to be obliged to
+owe her life to Captain Almbach, who had become the hero of the day,
+while she during the danger had shown herself anything but heroic.
+
+"Thank you--I am better," answered she, still struggling between anger
+and confusion.
+
+"I am delighted to hear that," assured Hugo, as in the midst of the
+rain he made her an unexceptionable drawing-room bow, "and now I shall
+put myself at the head of an expedition of discovery into the interior.
+Go on Jonas, reconnoitre the territory! Reinhold, you are no stranger
+here in the neighbourhood; do you not know where we are?"
+
+"No," replied Reinhold, after a short and rapid glance around.
+
+"And you, Marchese Tortoni?"
+
+Cesario shrugged his shoulders--
+
+"I regret that I also am unable to give you any information. I seldom
+leave the immediate environs of Mirando; besides, in such weather it is
+almost impossible to know one's bearings."
+
+This certainly was true; earth, sky and sea seemed to flow into one
+another in rolling mist. He could see barely a hundred yards over the
+raging sea, and not much farther over the land. No hills, no landmarks
+were visible; a dense grey veil of fog imprisoned everything, and yet
+Captain Almbach did not allow that to be any excuse.
+
+"Unpractical, artist natures!" muttered he, annoyed. "They sit there
+for months in their Mirando and go into ecstasies day after day about
+the incomparable beauty of their gulf, but do not know the coast, and
+if once they are a mile away from the great tourist highway, they have
+no idea where they are. Lord Elton, will you be so good as come to my
+side? I think we are both best suited to being pioneers."
+
+Lord Elton, who at the first meeting had been much pleased with Hugo's
+mischievous nature, and who had been highly impressed by him to-day,
+acceded immediately to the request. With the same imperturbable calm
+which he had shown before in danger, he placed himself at the sailor's
+side and went forward, while the other gentlemen followed with
+Beatrice.
+
+"It appears to me that chance has thrown us on a rather benighted
+coast," said Hugo, scoffingly, upon whose temper the weather did not
+exercise the slightest influence. "According to my calculations, we
+must be quite ten or twelve miles distant from S----, and on our left
+some hills are faintly visible through the fog, with very suspicious
+looking ravines. Gennaro's band is said to frequent these mountains.
+What should you say, my Lord, if we were to taste some of the regular
+Italian romance of horror?"
+
+Lord Elton turned with sudden liveliness to the ravines pointed out,
+which certainly looked unpleasant enough in the thick fog, and scanned
+them attentively.
+
+"Indeed, that would be very interesting."
+
+"Provided there were a pretty 'brigandess' amongst them, not
+otherwise," added Hugo.
+
+"Gennaro's band has no woman with it. I have learned all particulars,"
+said the former, seriously.
+
+"What a pity! The band seems to be very uncivilised still, that it has
+so little consideration for the natural wishes of its honoured guests.
+However, that would be something for my Jonas--a life without women! If
+he were to hear us he would desert and take his oath of allegiance to
+Gennaro's flag; I must take care of him."
+
+"Do not joke so thoughtlessly," interposed the Marchese. "Remember,
+Signor, we have a lady with us, and are all unarmed."
+
+"Excepting my Lord, who always carries a six chamber revolver with him
+as a pocket match-box," said Hugo, laughing. "We others did not think
+it necessary to load ourselves with weapons when we undertook this
+harmless expedition. Besides, we have more efficacious protection
+to-day than two dozen carabineers would give us. In this rain no
+brigand would venture forth."
+
+"Do you think so?" asked Lord Elton in unmistakable disappointment.
+
+"Certainly, my Lord! and for my part I think it will be better to
+forego the pleasure party in the mountains this time. Is it not also
+remarkable that we two, the only non-artists in the party, are the only
+two who appear to have any sense of the romance of the situation? My
+brother," here Hugo lowered his voice, "walks by Signora Biancona like
+an irritated lion; besides he is now in his lion's mood, and it is
+wisest to approach him as little as possible. Signora never brought
+tragic despair to such perfection of expression on the stage as at this
+moment, and Marchese Cesario stares illogically into the mist instead
+of admiring our highly effective expedition in the rain. Ah, there
+something peeps out like a building, and Jonas returns from his
+_reconnaissance_. Well, what is it?"
+
+"A _locanda_!" reported Jonas, who had gone on in front and was
+returning hastily. "Now we are sheltered," added he triumphantly.
+
+"Heaven has mercy," cried Hugo, pathetically, as he turned round to
+impart the welcome news to the others. The prospect of shelter being
+near did indeed revive the sinking courage of the party; they redoubled
+their steps, and soon found themselves in the covered entrance of the
+house indicated.
+
+"The rough sailor's cloak has been made enviably happy to-day," said
+Captain Almbach, as he removed his garment from Signora Biancona's
+shoulders in the most polite manner. "I knew we should require it
+to-day, therefore I ventured to bring it with me. The cloak quite
+protected you, Signora."
+
+Beatrice pressed her lips hastily together, as with forced thanks she
+returned the shielding wrap. It had been hard enough to accept it from
+Captain Almbach's hand; however, he was the only person in possession
+of such a thing, and no choice remained to her, if she did not wish to
+be quite wet through. But like all passionate natures, she could not
+endure mockery, and this detested courtesy of her opponent never gave
+her the opportunity of decided antagonism towards him, and kept her
+mercilessly fast within the limits of social requirements.
+
+The _locanda_, which lay rather lonely by the shore away from the great
+tourist highways, was not one of those which are frequented by more
+distinguished guests, and left much to be wished for as regards
+cleanliness and comfort, but the weather and their thoroughly damp
+state did not allow the guests to be particular. At any rate there were
+some apartments which were called guest chambers, and really at times
+served young painters and wandering tourists as a night's quarters.
+Beatrice was horrified on entering, and the Marchese looked with mute
+resignation at these rooms, which were certainly very unlike those of
+his Mirando; Lord Elton on the contrary reconciled himself better to
+the inevitable, and so far as the two brothers were concerned, Reinhold
+appeared quite indifferent to the style of the reception, and Hugo much
+amused by it. They now learned also that they were quite twelve miles
+distant from S----, and that another travelling party had already
+sought refuge here from the storm. But fortunately it had arrived at
+the beginning of the same, and in a carriage, therefore had not
+suffered from the rain like the lady and gentlemen just reaching it, at
+whose disposal all which the place contained was readily placed.
+
+A quarter of an hour later, Hugo entered the general public and
+reception-room, and with his foot softly pushed aside a black, bristly
+object, which had laid itself just before the door with admirable
+coolness, and now left its place grunting crossly.
+
+"These dear little animals appear to be considered quite fit for a
+drawing-room here; with us they are merely so in a roasted state," said
+he, quietly. "I wanted to see where you were, Reinhold. My God, you are
+still in your wet clothes. Why have you not changed?"
+
+Reinhold, who stood at the window and gazed out at the sea, turned and
+cast an abstracted look at his brother, who already, like the other
+gentlemen, had made use of the padrone's and his son's Sunday clothes
+brought hastily to them.
+
+"Changed my clothes? Oh to be sure, I had forgotten."
+
+"Then do it now!" urged Hugo. "Do you wish to ruin your health
+entirely?"
+
+Reinhold made an impatient deprecating gesture. "Leave me alone! What a
+fuss about a storm of rain."
+
+"Well, the rain storm was within a hair's breadth of being fatal to
+us," said Captain Almbach, "and I can bear testimony, as pilot, that my
+ship's crew behaved bravely, with the single exception of Donna
+Beatrice. She made rather extensive use of her rights as a lady, first
+by bringing us into danger, and then increasing its difficulties
+tenfold."
+
+"For which you have the triumph that she owes her life to you, as do we
+all," suggested Reinhold, indifferently.
+
+Hugo looked sharply at his brother. "Which in your case you seem to
+value very slightly."
+
+"I, why?"
+
+He did not wait for the reply, and turned again to the window; but Hugo
+was already at his side and put an arm round his shoulder.
+
+"What is the matter, Reinhold?" asked he again in the tone of former
+tenderness with which he once surrounded the younger brother--whom he
+knew to be oppressed and miserable in their relations' house--and which
+had now become so rare between them. Reinhold was silent.
+
+"I hoped you would at last find the rest here which you sought for so
+passionately," continued Captain Almbach, more seriously, "instead of
+which you rush about worse than ever during the last week. We are
+barely, even nominally, the Marchese's guests any more. You drag him
+and us all into this constant change of distractions and excursions.
+From ship to carriage, from carriage to mules, as if every moment of
+repose or solitude were a torture to you, and once we are in the midst
+of the excitement you are often enough like a marble guest amongst us.
+What has happened?"
+
+Reinhold turned, not violently but decidedly, away from Hugo's arms.
+
+"That, I cannot tell you."
+
+"Reinhold--"
+
+"Leave me--I beg you."
+
+Captain Almbach stepped back; he saw the repulse did not proceed from
+temper; the faint, constrained tone, betrayed suppressed pain only too
+well, but he knew of old that nothing could be gained from his brother
+in such a state of mind.
+
+"The storm seems to be at an end," said he, after a short pause, "but
+at present it will be useless thinking of our return. We cannot under
+any circumstances venture on the boisterous sea again to-day, and the
+road will be in a bad enough state, too. I have promised the gentlemen
+to obtain some information respecting it for them, as to whether our
+return would be possible to-day, and if we may not expect a second
+outbreak from the clouds. The verandah up there seems to offer a
+tolerably free view; I will try it."
+
+He left the room, and ascended the stairs. The verandah lay on the
+other side of the house; it was a large stone adjunct, which probably
+dated from a former more brilliant period of the building, now, like
+the latter, neglected, half decayed, but extremely picturesque in its
+ruins and with its creeping vines, which climbed around the pillars and
+balustrade. A long open gallery led into it, and Hugo was just going to
+pass along it, when he was arrested. A pigeon fluttered immediately
+before him, chased by a boy in distinguished, fashionable-looking
+dress. The tame bird, accustomed to mankind, did not think seriously of
+flight; it flitted, as if playfully, along the floor, and only when the
+little arms were stretched out to catch it, did it soar easily up to
+the roof of the house, while the eager little follower rushed forward
+in wild career, and so ran up against Captain Almbach.
+
+"See there, Signorino, that was nearly becoming a collision," said
+Hugo, as he caught the little one; but the latter, still full of
+eagerness for the chase, stretched both hands up above, and cried
+vivaciously in German--
+
+"I do so want the bird. Can you not catch him for me?"
+
+"No, my little sportsman, I cannot, unless I could put on wings," said
+Hugo, playfully, as he examined the boy closer, astonished to hear his
+own language. He started, looked intently into his eyes a few seconds,
+and then lifted him up suddenly, to fold him with increasing tenderness
+in his arms.
+
+The little one permitted the caress to take place calmly, but somewhat
+astonished. "You speak just like mamma and uncle Erlau," said he
+confidingly. "I do not understand any one else, and at home I
+understood all."
+
+"Is your mamma here also?" enquired Hugo, hastily.
+
+The child nodded, and pointed to the other side. Captain Almbach put
+him down quickly, and stepped on to the verandah with him, where Ella
+was coming towards them, and stood still in speechless surprise when
+she saw her boy holding his uncle's hand.
+
+"Must we meet here?" cried the latter, greeting her eagerly. "I thought
+you never left Villa Fiorina, especially in such weather."
+
+"It is the first excursion, too, that we have attempted," replied Ella.
+"My uncle's continued improved health led us to undertake a visit to
+the temple ruins in the mountains, but on our return journey the storm
+overtook us, and as the horses threatened to become unmanageable, we
+were glad to find shelter and refuge here."
+
+"We are in the same plight," reported Hugo, "only it was worse for us,
+as we came by water."
+
+A momentary pallor spread over Ella's countenance.
+
+"How? You are accompanied by your brother? I imagined it when I saw
+you."
+
+Hugo made a gesture of assent. "You told me you wished to avoid a
+meeting at any price," began he again.
+
+"I. wished it; yes!" interrupted she, firmly, "but it was impossible.
+We have seen each other already."
+
+"I thought so!" muttered Captain Almbach. "Thence his incomprehensible
+reserve."
+
+"Why did you not tell me you were guests of the owner of Mirando?"
+asked Ella, reproachfully. "I believed you to be in S----, and went
+unsuspectingly to see the villa. Only when too late did I learn who was
+staying in our immediate neighbourhood."
+
+Hugo scanned her face with a rapid glance, as if he wished to assure
+himself of her self-possession.
+
+"You spoke to Reinhold?" said he, in extreme anxiety, without noticing
+her reproach. "Well, then?"
+
+"Well, then?" replied she, with an almost harsh expression, "Do not be
+afraid! Signor Rinaldo knows now that he must remain at a distance from
+me and my son. He will acknowledge us at any possible meeting as little
+as I shall acknowledge him."
+
+"To-day it would certainly be impossible," replied Hugo seriously, "as
+he is not alone. I fear, Ella, even that will not be spared you."
+
+"You mean a meeting with Signora Biancona?" Ella could not preserve her
+lips from trembling as she uttered the name, however much she forced
+herself to appear calm, "Well, if it cannot be avoided, I shall know
+how to endure it."
+
+During this conversation they had drawn near the balustrade. The storm
+was really over, and the sluices of heaven seemed to have exhausted
+themselves at last, but the air still hung damp and laden with rain.
+The wet vines, torn and disordered by the storm, still fluttered about,
+and drops of rain ran down from the saint's picture in the badly
+sheltered niche in the wall. Below rolled the sea, still wildly
+disturbed; the usually so quiet sapphire blue mirror was only a wild
+chaos of iron-grey currents and white foaming crests of waves, which
+broke hissing and surging on the shore. But the mist, which until now
+had enveloped the whole country in an impenetrable veil, commenced to
+melt at last, and land-marks came out distinctly already; only around
+the higher points did it still cling and hang, while in the west a
+clearer gleam of light began to struggle with the disappearing clouds.
+
+"How did you recognise my little Reinhold?" asked Ella suddenly, in
+quite an altered tone. "You did not see him at your last visit, and
+when you left H---- he had barely passed his first year of life."
+
+Hugo leant down to the child, and lifted up its little head.
+
+"How I recognised him?" replied he smiling; "by his eyes. He has yours,
+Ella, and they are not so easily mistaken, even if they look out of
+another's face. I should know them amongst hundreds."
+
+His tone had almost a passionate warmth. The young wife drew slightly
+aside.
+
+"Since when have you begun to pay me compliments, Hugo?"
+
+"Are compliments so unusual to you, Ella?"
+
+"From your lips, certainly."
+
+"Yes, certainly. I dare not venture upon what you allow to every one
+else," said Captain Almbach, with a slight accent of bitterness. "The
+attempt has once already obtained me the name of 'adventurer.'"
+
+"It seems as if you could never forget that word," said Ella, half
+smiling.
+
+He threw his head back defiantly. "No, I cannot, as it pained me, and
+therefore I cannot get over it, even until this moment."
+
+"Pained you?" repeated Ella. "Can, indeed, anything pain you, Hugo?"
+
+"That is to say, in other words--'have you then indeed a heart, Hugo?'
+Oh, no, I do _not_ possess such an article at all; I came off badly at
+the distribution of the same; you must surely have discovered that."
+
+"I do not mean that," interposed Ella, "I give you all credit for the
+warmest feelings."
+
+"But no earnestness, no depth?"
+
+"No."
+
+Captain Almbach looked at her silently for a few seconds; at last he
+said softly--
+
+"Was it necessary, Ella, to give me such a harsh lesson, because T
+ventured lately to kiss your hand, which perhaps displeased you? I know
+what this 'No' means. You see I understand hints, and shall take note
+of to-day's. You need not be afraid."
+
+A slight blush passed over Ella's features, as she saw that he
+understood her. "I did not wish to wound you, indeed not," she
+answered, and put her hand out heartily, but Hugo stood obstinately
+averted, and appeared not to notice it.
+
+"Are you angry with me?" she asked. It was a touchingly-beseeching
+tone, and it did not fail in its intention. Captain Almbach turned
+round suddenly, and caught her offered hand, but in his answer
+excitement and the old love of teasing struggled again, and were
+suppressed with difficulty, as he replied--
+
+"If my late uncle and aunt could see us now, they would observe with
+intense satisfaction how their daughter holds the incorrigible Hugo by
+the head--he who will usually obey no other reins--how she will not
+permit him to go even one step beyond those limits which she finds it
+good to draw. No, I am not angry with you, Ella--cannot be so--only you
+must not make obedience too hard for me."
+
+Both were still engaged in lively conversation, when Marchese Tortoni
+and Lord Elton also entered the verandah from the gallery.
+
+"Look there," said the former, astonished, to his companion, "that is
+the reason why our Capitano's observations are so endlessly prolonged
+that we are obliged to look him up at last. It is indeed an
+extraordinary nature. An hour ago he forced our boat through storm and
+waves, and now he plays the agreeable to a young signora."
+
+"Yes, an extraordinary man," agreed Lord Elton, who had taken such a
+blind fancy to Hugo, that he thought everything perfect in him.
+
+The unbearable sultry air in the close rooms appeared to have driven
+the whole party out on to the verandah, as immediately after the two
+gentlemen Reinhold and Beatrice appeared also. If his wife were
+prepared for this encounter, he certainly was not, as he became pale as
+death, and made a movement as if to turn back; but at the same moment
+the boy's fair, curly head appeared from behind the young wife, and, as
+if transfixed, the father stood still. His glance directed openly to
+the child, he appeared to have forgotten all else around him.
+
+"What a lovely child!" cried Beatrice, admiringly, as she stretched her
+arms out with perfect assurance; but now Ella started up! with a single
+movement she had withdrawn the boy from the intended caress, and
+pressed him firmly to herself.
+
+"Excuse me, Signora," said she, coldly, "the child is shy with
+strangers, and not accustomed to _such_ caresses."
+
+Beatrice seemed somewhat offended at this repulse; however she saw
+nothing more in it than a mother's over-due anxiety. She shrugged her
+shoulders imperceptibly, and a scoffing side-glance fell upon the
+stranger, but it soon remained enchained by the latter's appearance,
+although recognition only took place on one side.
+
+Before Ella's recollection, that evening stood forth in perfect
+distinctness when she, alone, without knowledge of her people, her veil
+drawn closely over her face, hastened to the theatre, in order to see
+the one who had so completely alienated her husband. She had seen
+Beatrice in all the brilliancy of her beauty and talent, intoxicated by
+the cheers and homage of the public, and she bore the impression
+ineffaceably away with her.
+
+Beatrice, also, had only once seen Reinhold's wife, at the time when
+she first began to be interested in the young composer, and Ella did
+not then suspect anything of her evil influence. A short meeting of a
+few minutes sufficed for the Italian to perceive that this quiet, pale
+being, with downcast eyes, and that ridiculously matronly costume,
+could not possibly bind such a man to her, and this knowledge was
+extensive enough for her not to take any further notice of the young
+wife. At all events it was impossible for her to associate the
+colourless, half ridiculous, and half pitiful picture, which she
+carried in her recollection, in the remotest degree with this
+apparition, which stood so unapproachably proudly there, which held its
+fair head so high and erect, and whose large blue eyes looked at her
+with an expression which Beatrice was unable to explain to herself. She
+only saw that the stranger was very haughty, but also very beautiful.
+
+The two gentlemen seemed to think the latter also, as they came nearer,
+bowing politely; Lord Elton gazed at Ella with open admiration, and the
+Marchese, whom Hugo had often reproached for blamable indifference to
+ladies' acquaintance, said with unusual eagerness to him--
+
+"You appear to know the Signora. May we not also count upon the
+pleasure of being introduced to her?"
+
+Captain Almbach, as if to protect her, had placed himself by the young
+wife's side. Between his eyebrows lay a frown which seldom appeared on
+his cheerful brow, and it became still deeper at this request, which
+could not possibly be refused. He therefore introduced the two
+gentlemen, and named his countrywoman to them as Frau Erlau. He knew
+that Ella, in order to anticipate unpleasant enquiries, to which the
+name of Almbach might easily give rise, bore that of her adopted
+father, so long as she remained in Italy.
+
+Beatrice's eyes flashed with offended pride. She was not accustomed to
+herself and Reinhold being mentioned last in such cases, and here she
+was not even named at all. Captain Almbach ignored her altogether, and
+appeared actually to do so on purpose, as the angry look which she cast
+towards him was received with aggravating coldness; but even Cesario
+was struck by the want of tact that his usually charming friend
+displayed. While he uttered a few civilities to the strange lady, he
+waited in vain for the continuation of the presentation, and as this
+did not ensue, he undertook it, in order to atone for the Captain's
+supposed impoliteness.
+
+"You have forgotten the most important part, Signor," said he, turning
+the affair quickly into a joke. "Signora Erlau would hardly be grateful
+to you were you not to mention the very two names which, doubtless,
+interest her most, and which are certainly not unknown to her. Signora
+Biancona--Signor Rinaldo."
+
+Beatrice, still enraged at the insult offered to her, only vouchsafed a
+slight inclination of her head, which was similarly returned; but
+suddenly she became observant. She felt how Reinhold's arm quivered,
+how he let hers fall, and moved a step away from her as he bowed. She
+knew him too well not to perceive that at this moment, notwithstanding
+his apparent calm, he was terribly agitated. This intense pallor, this
+nervous quivering of his lips, were the sure sign that he was forcibly
+suppressing some passionate emotion. And what meant this glance, which
+certainly only met that of the stranger for a few seconds, but it
+flashed with unmistakable defiance, and melted again into perfect
+tenderness when it fell on the child at her side. She herself, indeed,
+stood quite impassive opposite him; not a feature moved in the
+countenance cold as marble. But this face was also remarkably pale, and
+her arms encircled her boy with convulsive firmness, as if he were to
+be torn away from them. Yet she replied in a perfectly controlled
+voice--
+
+"I am much obliged to you, Signor. I had indeed not yet the pleasure of
+knowing Italy's principal singer and Italy's celebrated composer."
+
+Reinhold's blood surged through his veins, as again, and this time
+before strangers, the endless breach was shown him which separated him
+from his former wife. Now it was she who assigned him the place which
+he had to occupy towards her; and that she could do it with such calm
+and ease roused him to the uttermost.
+
+"Italy's?" replied he, with sharp accentuation. "You forget, Signora,
+that by birth I am a German."
+
+"Really," replied Ella, in the same tone as before. "Indeed I did not
+know that until now."
+
+"One seems to be soon forgotten in one's home," said Reinhold, with
+savage bitterness.
+
+"But surely only when people estrange themselves. In this case it is
+quite comprehensible. You, Signor, have found a second fatherland, and
+he to whom Italy has given so much can easily forego home and its
+recollections."
+
+She turned to the other gentlemen, exchanged a few passing indifferent
+words with them, and then gave her hand quietly and openly to Hugo in
+farewell.
+
+"You will excuse me, I must go to my uncle. Reinhold bid Captain
+Almbach adieu."
+
+It was only too true. Ella possessed a terrible weapon in the child,
+and understood how to use it mercilessly. Reinhold experienced it at
+this moment. To him she relentlessly denied the sight and presence of
+his boy, although she knew with what passion he longed for him; and now
+she let him see how this boy stretched out his little arms to his
+uncle, and offered his mouth for a kiss; let him see it in the presence
+of the woman for whom he had forsaken them both, and whose presence
+forbade him to insist upon any of his rights as a father--the revenge
+penetrated to the innermost depths of his heart.
+
+Beatrice, quite contrary to her usual custom, had not taken part, even
+by a single syllable, in the conversation; but her darkly burning
+glance did not move from either of the two, between whom she suspected
+some secret connection, although her thoughts were immeasurably far
+from the truth itself. For the present, however, Ella now put an end to
+any further conversation. She took little Reinhold by the hand, and
+after a slight, haughty bow, which included the whole party, she left
+the verandah with the child.
+
+"You appear to have introduced some incognita to us, Signor Capitano,"
+said Beatrice, with cutting scorn. "Perhaps you will be so good as to
+explain to us exactly who the princess is who has just now condescended
+to leave us."
+
+"Yes, by heaven, very proud, but also very beautiful!" cried the
+Marchese, his admiration breaking forth, while Hugo replied coolly--
+
+"You are mistaken, Signora. I told you the name of the German lady."
+
+The young Italian went up to his friend and laid his hand on the
+latter's shoulder.
+
+"Signora's mistake is easily understood. Do not you think so also,
+Rinaldo?--Good God, what is the matter--what ails you?"
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER III.
+
+
+"Nothing," said Reinhold, recovering himself with a great effort. "I am
+not well; the stormy voyage has upset me. It is nothing, Cesario."
+
+"I believe the best we can do is to think of our return," interrupted
+Hugo, who deemed it necessary to distract attention from his brother,
+as he saw that the latter could no longer control his agitation. "A
+repetition of the storm need not be feared, and as the padrone has
+promised to procure us a carriage, we can reach S---- this evening if
+we start soon."
+
+It was the first time that Beatrice cordially agreed to any proposition
+made by Captain Almbach. Marchese Tortoni, on the contrary, considered
+any great haste very unnecessary, and raised several objections. All at
+once the lonely _locanda_ seemed to have gained remarkable attractions
+for him. But as he could not succeed in his wishes--for Reinhold also
+insisted upon an immediate return--he joined Captain Almbach, who went
+to see about the carriage.
+
+"I fear you made up some tale for your brother and me, when you
+declared that a certain villa was inaccessible," said he, teasingly.
+"It was suspicious at the time when you confessed your failure so
+openly, and let our jokes fall so quietly upon you. I could swear that
+I had seen this charming figure and those glorious fair plaits once
+before, when I rode past the villa. I understand, of course, that you
+would not make us the confidants of your adventure, still----"
+
+"You are mistaken," interrupted Hugo, with a decision which made it
+impossible to doubt his words. "There is no talk of an adventure here,
+Signor Marchese. I give you my word upon it."
+
+"Ah, then pardon me," said Cesario, seriously; "I believe your
+apparently intimate acquaintance with the lady----"
+
+"Arises from a former acquaintance in Germany," completed Captain
+Almbach. "I certainly had no suspicion of this meeting, when I believed
+I was seeking a perfect stranger in the Villa Fiorina; but I repeat it,
+that the word 'adventure' must not be connected in the remotest degree
+with that lady, and that I claim the most perfect and unqualified
+respect for her from all."
+
+The very positive tone of this explanation might, perhaps, have
+irritated another listener, but the young Marchese, on the contrary,
+seemed to find unmistakable satisfaction in it.
+
+"I do not in the least doubt that you are quite justified in your
+demand," replied he, very warmly. "The whole bearing of the beautiful
+lady answers for it. What imposing dignity, and what a perfectly
+charming appearance! I never saw any woman unite the two so
+thoroughly."
+
+"Really?" Hugo's voice betrayed by no means pleasant surprise, as he
+looked at his companion, whose cheeks were deeply suffused with colour,
+and whose eyes sparkled. Captain Almbach did not utter another word,
+but his countenance told plainly enough what he thought. "I believe
+this ideal-man also begins to care about other things besides airs and
+recitatives--however, it is quite unnecessary."
+
+Beatrice stood alone up in the verandah. She had not followed Reinhold
+and Lord Elton, who also descended. Her hand buried itself
+unconsciously in the wet vine-leaves, while her dark eyes were fixed
+steadily on the sea. Lost in gloomy meditation, she only clung to the
+one thought, which her lips now uttered, as half threateningly, half
+frightened, she whispered----"What was it between them?"
+
+Autumn had come, and brought strangers and inhabitants back from the
+seaside and mountains to the large ever stirring and bustling central
+point of Italy. It was indeed not such an autumn as leads nature to its
+grave in the North, with gloomy, rainy days, raw stormy nights, rolling
+mists, hoar and night frosts. Here it lay mildly in golden clearness
+and indescribable beauty over the wide plains, from which at last the
+summer's heat had subsided; over the mountains, which, at other times
+were day after day enveloped in hot vapour, encircled with white
+clouds, now again showed their blue outlines undisguised; and over the
+town, where the great wave of life which for several moons had rolled
+slowly, now flowed forth with renewed power.
+
+Signora Biancona had also returned. Her stay in S---- had been as
+unexpectedly and quickly terminated as was Reinhold's in Mirando. He
+seemed as if, all at once, he could not endure his usually favourite
+place any longer. Almost immediately after their stormy sea excursion,
+he insisted positively that the original plan should be adhered to, and
+the _villegiatura_ in the mountains, long since decided upon, be
+carried out. The Marchese's objections, even his openly-displayed
+annoyance--having counted upon a lengthy visit from his guests--were in
+vain, as Beatrice also agreed somewhat eagerly to Reinhold's plan, and
+thus Cesario remained alone in Mirando, while the others went to the
+mountains, from which they had now just returned.
+
+It was during the forenoon. Signora Biancona was sitting in her
+boudoir, her head resting on her arm, and her hand buried in her dark
+hair, in an attitude of eager attention. The conductor, Gianelli, had
+taken up his position opposite to her. Whatever his real feelings
+towards the envied Rinaldo might be, he was much too clever not to show
+outwardly all necessary respect and consideration to him, who, in the
+world of art, as in society, was all-powerful; and towards the
+beautiful _prima donna_ he was now all attention and devotion, which he
+showed in voice and manner, as, continuing the conversation already
+begun, he said--
+
+"You had commanded, Signora, and that was sufficient for me at once to
+set all machinery in motion. I am fortunate in being able to fulfil
+your wish, and impart the fullest information upon a certain subject."
+
+Beatrice lifted up her head with liveliest eagerness. "Well?"
+
+"This Signor Erlau is, as you supposed, a merchant from H----. He must,
+indeed, belong to the richest of his class, as everywhere he appears
+like a millionaire. He has rented the entire Villa Fiorina, near S----,
+for himself and his family, and here, also, he inhabits one of the most
+expensive houses. His household is arranged in great style; part of the
+servants brought from Germany. He bears important introductions to his
+embassy, of which, however, he has not made any use as yet, because his
+state of health necessitates retirement. His move here, in fact, was
+only made in order to put himself under the treatment of one of our
+most celebrated doctors----"
+
+"I know all that already," interrupted Beatrice, impatiently. "When I
+heard the name, I did not doubt that it was the same Consul at whose
+house I visited during my stay in H----. But the lady who accompanies
+them--the young Signora?"
+
+"Is his niece," explained Gianelli, who made an intentional pause after
+the first words.
+
+The singer appeared to consider. "She certainly was presented to me as
+Signora Erlau. A relation, therefore. I did not see her in those days.
+I surely should have remarked her; one does not so easily over look
+such a figure."
+
+The maestro smiled with a malicious expression. "She is _said_ to bear
+the same name, certainly, as her adopted father; she is _said_ to be a
+widow--_said_ to have lost her husband many years since. At least, they
+wish such to be believed in Italy, and the servants have strict orders
+to answer all enquiries in this manner."
+
+Beatrice listened attentively to this explanation with its double
+meaning, "'_Said_ to be;' but is it not so? I suspected that some
+secret lay hidden there. You have discovered it?"
+
+"Servants are never silent, if one understands to apply in the right
+manner," remarked Gianelli, scornfully. "I only fear it is an extremely
+delicate point, and as it concerns Signor Rinaldo----"
+
+"Rinaldo!" exclaimed Beatrice, "how so? What has Rinaldo to do with it?
+Did you not say that it concerns Rinaldo?"
+
+The maestro bent his head, and said in his softest tone, "I was then,
+indeed mistaken, Signora, when I premised that the cause of your wish
+to learn more particulars about the Erlau family originated with Signor
+Rinaldo."
+
+The singer bit her lips. She certainly might have foreseen that the
+motive which dictated the commission she had given him could not escape
+the observing eyes of a Gianelli.
+
+"Let us leave Rinaldo out of the question!" said she, with an effort to
+appear calm. "You were about to speak of Signora Erlau."
+
+"It would be somewhat difficult to separate one from the other,"
+suggested Gianelli. "I only fear Signor Rinaldo is unfortunately not
+favourably disposed towards me already, certainly from no fault of
+mine. I fear I might arouse his extreme ill-will if he discovered it
+was I who made such a communication, and especially to you"--he paused,
+and drew figures on the floor with his walking stick, in well-feigned
+confusion.
+
+"To me, especially!" repeated Beatrice, violently, "then this
+communication is not intended for me? You must speak, Signor Gianelli!
+You shall not withhold one word, not one syllable either! I require, I
+demand it of you."
+
+"Well then----" he seemed really about to come to the explanation, but
+the game was too interesting to give it up so soon, and the maestro
+himself had too often suffered from the temper of the beautiful _prima
+donna_ to be able to deny himself the satisfaction of keeping her still
+longer on the rack of eagerness.
+
+"Well then, you surely are aware of Signor Rinaldo's former bonds; but
+in, Italy few or none know that he was already married. I myself was
+only informed of it on this occasion. You, of course, were acquainted
+with the fact."
+
+"I know it," replied Beatrice, suppressedly, "but how does that concern
+this?"
+
+"Indeed it does to some extent. You do not know Rinaldo's wife,
+Signora?"
+
+"No. Though yes; I saw her once momentarily. A very insignificant
+person."
+
+"They do not seem to think so, here," remarked Gianelli, again in the
+same soft tone. "Notwithstanding her seclusion, the beautiful fair
+German begins to create a sensation."
+
+"Who?" Beatrice rose so suddenly and wildly, that the maestro thought
+it wiser to retire a few steps. "Of whom are you speaking?"
+
+"Of Signora Eleonore Almbach, who certainly bears her adopted father's
+name here, probably to avoid inquisitive inquiries."
+
+"That is impossible," exclaimed the singer, now with extreme violence.
+"That cannot be. You deceive me, or have been yourself deceived."
+
+"Excuse me," said Gianelli, defending himself, "my source is the most
+authentic. I will answer for its correctness, and Signor Rinaldo will
+be obliged to confirm it."
+
+"Impossible!" repeated Beatrice, still quite without her
+self-possession. "_This_ apparition his wife! I saw her formerly, of
+course, although only for a few minutes. Was I then blind?"
+
+"Or was he so?" completed Gianelli to himself; but he said aloud, "I am
+inconsolable to have excited you so, Signora; you will give me credit
+for not wishing to speak, but you regularly forced this information
+from me. I regret this exceedingly."
+
+His words restored Beatrice somewhat to consciousness. She felt what
+she had to expect from the pity of the man who had played the spy on
+her behalf.
+
+"Certainly not!" replied she in a hasty but vain attempt to recover her
+self-control. "I--I thank you, Signor. I am merely surprised, nothing
+more."
+
+The maestro saw that he could not do better than retire, but as he
+prepared to leave, he laid his hand assuringly upon his heart--
+
+"You know, Signora, that I am quite at your commands, and if you deem
+it necessary to insist upon my unconditional silence in this affair, no
+assurance is needed that this also is at your service. Quite at your
+commands."
+
+He left the room with a low bow; he was in earnest with the last words.
+Gianelli was too good a reckoner not to consider as a valuable secret,
+something which sooner or later might be employed against the hated
+Rinaldo. If he were to make the piquant story public in society,
+nothing more could be done with it; in his sole possession, on the
+contrary, it might be very useful. At present it ensured him influence
+over Beatrice, and, indirectly, even over Rinaldo, to whom it could, at
+the very least, not be agreeable that his family affairs should become
+generally known.
+
+In the best of humours the maestro passed through the saloon, and
+entered the antechamber, where at that moment the sailor Jonas was
+alone. Captain Almbach had sent him to his brother with some message;
+he supposed the latter to be with Signora Biancona. Reinhold, however,
+was at the manager's, but was expected every moment. Jonas learned this
+from some servant who had gone into Beatrice's service from that of the
+same manager who had taken the Italian Opera Company to Germany, and as
+a trophy of his northern journey was able to maltreat a few words of
+German. As the sailor had received orders to give his master's note to
+the latter's brother himself, nothing else remained for him than to
+wait; he therefore took up his position in the ante-room, through which
+Reinhold was sure to pass. He had certainly remarked that the door of
+one of the back rooms stood open, and that some one was in there,
+apparently one of the Signora's lady's maids, who was occupied with a
+dress of her mistress. However, as this somebody was a woman, she
+naturally did not exist for Jonas, who, dissatisfied and silent as
+usual, withdrew into one of the window recesses, and remained there
+above a quarter of an hour without taking the slightest notice of his
+neighbour.
+
+Signor Gianelli, as regards women, seemed to entertain the most
+opposite views; he had barely discovered the open door and the young
+girl, before he immediately altered his course, and steered in that
+direction. Jonas naturally did not understand any of the conversation,
+conducted in Italian, which now took place between the two, but so much
+was clear to him, that the maestro endeavoured to play the agreeable,
+apparently without particular success, as he only received short, and
+rather defiant-sounding replies, and at the same time the heavy silken
+folds were so adroitly draped that he could not come nearer without
+crumpling the light satin. This lasted a few minutes, then Signor
+Gianelli appeared to try and make some serious attempt, as a cry of
+annoyance was heard, followed by the angry stamping of a little foot.
+The dress flew aside, and the young girl fled into the ante-room, where
+she stood still with arms folded defiantly and eyes sparkling with
+rage. But the maestro had followed her, and without being intimidated
+in the least by the opposition, gave signs of trying to enforce the
+kiss which evidently had been refused him before, when he stumbled upon
+a most unexpected obstacle. A powerful hand caught him suddenly by the
+collar, and a strange voice said impressively--
+
+"That is to be left alone."
+
+At the first moment the Italian appeared staggered at this interruption
+from a stranger whom he had not perceived at all; but on looking more
+closely at the latter, and discovering that he had only a common sailor
+to deal with, he drew himself up with great self-importance and evinced
+great annoyance. He immediately reversed the order of affairs, and
+pretended to be the one insulted. How could any one dare to attack a
+man in his position, especially in Signora Biancona's apartments; he
+should lay a complaint to the Signora; what sort of a person was it who
+took such a liberty? and thereupon a flood of not exactly flattering
+names swept over poor Jonas.
+
+The latter endured the insults heaped upon him with immovable
+placidity, as he did not understand even one word of them; but when the
+Italian, deceived by this quiescence, took it into his head to make a
+threatening gesticulation with his stick, there was an end of the
+sailor's calm, as he understood this pantomime very well. With a sudden
+movement he had caught the stick from the maestro, the next moment had
+seized him and regularly thrust him out of the room, thrown his stick
+after him, and locked the door, all without speaking a single word, and
+returned quietly to his window recess as if nothing had happened. But
+here the young girl came at once towards him, stretching out both hands
+to him, with southern vivacity and overflowing with gratitude.
+
+"It is not necessary! Was done willingly," said Jonas, dryly, but as he
+put out his arm as if to refuse her thanks, a little hand was placed
+upon it, and a clear voice said something in the softest tones, which
+was undoubtedly intended to express her acknowledgments.
+
+Jonas looked most indignantly, first at his arm, then at the hand,
+which still lay upon it, and after having gazed at both for some time,
+he condescended at last to cast a glance also at the person to whom the
+hand belonged.
+
+Before him stood a young girl of at most sixteen years, so lythe, so
+intensely slight and graceful a figure, that she presented the greatest
+contrast imaginable to the broad form of the sailor. A wreath of
+splendid blue-black plaits surrounded the little face, which, with its
+dark brown complexion and burning black eyes, certainly sprang from the
+South of Italy. The little one was pretty, without doubt very pretty,
+that could not be denied, and the liveliness with which she endeavoured
+to show her protector how very grateful she was rendered her still more
+charming.
+
+"Yes, if I only understood the cursed language!" muttered Jonas, in
+whom, for the first time, something like regret arose that he had
+thrown away, with such obstinate determination, the rare opportunity
+offered him during the summer of learning Italian. He shook his head,
+shrugged his shoulders, and in this way made pantomimic signs that he
+did not understand Italian, which the young girl seemed to think quite
+unheard of and also very disagreeable.
+
+"I was to find Mr. Reinhold," growled Jonas, who, strange to say,
+seemed to long to impart some information, which was not usually his
+case with women. He made the discovery, however, that even this name
+was not understood, as now it became his companion's turn to shake her
+head and shrug her shoulders.
+
+"Yes, indeed," said the sailor angrily, "he could not even retain his
+honest German name! Rinaldo he lets himself be called here--God have
+pity on him! Robbers and rogues are called by such names with us at
+home. Signor Rinaldo," exclaimed he, as he drew out his master's note,
+which bore the same name. This address was of course well enough known
+in Signora Biancona's house; any farther understanding was now,
+however, unnecessary, as just at the moment when the two were bending
+their heads eagerly over the letter, the door of the ante-room was
+opened and Reinhold himself entered.
+
+The young girl remarked him first. In one moment she was away from the
+sailor's side and in the middle of the room, where she made a graceful
+curtsy and then disappeared in the direction of the saloon, probably to
+announce the long-expected one to her mistress; while Jonas, who could
+not conceive how any person could fly away thus lightly and rapidly,
+and disappear tracelessly in a few seconds, stared after her so
+steadily that Reinhold was obliged to go up to him and ask what brought
+him there. Ashamed, and somewhat confused, he delivered his errand and
+gave up the note, which Almbach opened and read rapidly. The contents
+seemed to be very indifferent to him--
+
+"Tell my brother I am engaged already for to-day, and therefore beg him
+to accept the Marchese's invitation merely for himself. If possible at
+all, I shall appear towards evening."
+
+He put the note in his pocket, dismissed the messenger by a gesture,
+and passed into the saloon. Jonas now had his orders and ought to have
+returned home; instead, however, he sought the servant who had given
+him the required information before, and the latter made the discovery
+that the inaccessible sailor, so chary of words, had all at once
+become very inquisitive, as he enquired very particularly about
+Signora Biancona's household and its _personnel_, and tolerated the
+Italian's horrible German--who was so proud of his knowledge of the
+language--with exemplary patience.
+
+Reinhold, meanwhile, had entered the boudoir. He no longer required any
+announcement to its mistress, and she came towards him at once; but had
+he not been so entirely absorbed in other thoughts he must have seen at
+the first glance that something had happened to her. The Italian's dark
+warm colouring could appear pale at times; this was evident now, when
+the glowing blood which usually throbbed in her cheeks had disappeared
+to the very last drop; but it was an unnatural pallor, and her eyes
+burned all the more scorchingly. Beatrice was actress enough to be
+able, for a few moments at least, to control her temper when it was
+required to gain some object, and she wished to obtain one to-day. A
+trait of dark determination lay in her face; she wished to see clearly
+at any price.
+
+"I met Gianelli below in the street," began Reinhold, after the first
+greeting. "He appeared to come from your house; was he with you?"
+
+"Certainly! I know you are prejudiced against him, but I cannot
+possibly decline to see the conductor of the opera, when he comes on
+purpose to discuss something as to its performance with me."
+
+Reinhold shrugged his shoulders. "That could be done at the rehearsals.
+Are you a young beginner, who requires protection, and must fear
+offending any one? I should have thought that you, in your position,
+could behave with as little consideration as I do. However, I will give
+you no directions about it. Receive whom you will, even Gianelli! I am
+far from wishing to place any control upon you."
+
+The tone sounded icy, and Beatrice's voice trembled slightly as she
+replied, "That is new to me. You used to watch over my visitors most
+despotically; formerly no one could cross my threshold who was not
+agreeable to you."
+
+Reinhold had thrown himself into a seat. "You see I have become more
+tolerant."
+
+"More tolerant!--more indifferent."
+
+"You have often enough complained of my despotism," remarked he, with a
+slight tinge of sarcasm.
+
+"And yet I bore it because I knew it sprang from love. It is only
+natural that with the one the other should also cease."
+
+Reinhold made an impatient movement. "Beatrice you demand what is
+impossible, when you require that a human heart should ever and for
+ever glow with those volcanic feelings which alone you call love."
+
+She had approached his seat, and placed her hand on its back, while she
+looked down at him with a strange expression.
+
+"I see certainly that it is impossible to require from the cold heart
+of a Northerner such love as I give and demand."
+
+"You should have left him in his north," said Reinhold, gloomily;
+"perhaps the cold there would have been better for him than the
+everlasting glow of the south."
+
+"Is that intended for a reproach? Was it I who tore you from your
+home?"
+
+"No! I went voluntarily, but--be just, Beatrice!--you were the moving
+power. Who urged me constantly to the resolution? Who held my artist's
+course again and again before my eyes? Who dubbed me a coward as I
+started back at the responsibility, and at last placed the fatal choice
+before me of flight or our separation? Excuse me--you knew how the
+decision must fall."
+
+The Italian's dark eyes flashed threateningly, but she forced herself
+to be calm.
+
+"Our love depended on it," declared she, proudly; "our love depended on
+it, and your artist's career. I rescued a genius for the world when I
+rescued you for myself."
+
+He was silent. The defence appeared to find no echo in his heart. She
+bent lower to him, and her voice sounded sweet and fascinating again,
+but the unnatural expression did not leave her features.
+
+"You are dreaming, Rinaldo. This is one of your moods again, which I
+have so often had to fight against. Is it the first time then, that an
+unhappy, unsuitable marriage has been dissolved in order to form a
+happier union?"
+
+Reinhold leaned his head on his hand. "No, certainly not; but that does
+not affect this case; my marriage has not been dissolved, and we--have
+never thought of marriage."
+
+Beatrice started, and her hand slid from the back of the chair.
+
+"You were not free?" she murmured.
+
+"It would only have cost me one word to be so. I knew I should not be
+prevented, and means enough were open to you to obtain dispensation,
+which would have permitted a Catholic to make this marriage. But we
+both dreaded the indissoluble bond; we wished to be free and
+unfettered, without limits in our love as in our life--well, we are so
+still at this moment."
+
+"What do you mean by this?" Beatrice pressed her hand upon her heart as
+if breathless. "Do you still consider your marriage to exist?"
+
+"Oh, no, certainly not; and if I did, the daring of such an idea would
+soon be made plain to me. You do not know what an offended wife and
+mother is in the pride of her virtue. If the sinner were to devote his
+whole remaining life to penance and repentance, he would still not be
+restored to favour."
+
+The words were intended to sound scoffingly; he did not suspect the
+boundless bitterness they betrayed as he hurled them forth; but
+Beatrice understood it only too well, and with this recognition, her
+self-control, so far preserved with such difficulty, broke down
+irretrievably.
+
+"You have, perhaps, tried it already with the offended wife," cried she
+furiously. "She is in your neighbourhood; I myself was witness of your
+meeting. That is why your eyes encountered each other in so mysterious
+a manner; that is why you could not tear your gaze away from the child;
+that is why she drew back from me, as if from something unholy. Have
+you attempted the penitent scene already, Rinaldo?"
+
+Reinhold had sprung up; anger and astonishment struggled in his
+countenance. "So you know already who Signora Erlau is? But why do I
+ask! The spy, this Gianelli, has just left you; he has traced it out
+and communicated it to you."
+
+A dark look passed over the singer's features for a moment, as she
+remembered the distinct commission she had given to the spy, but in her
+inward excitement shame found no place.
+
+"You knew it in Mirando," continued she violently, "and she occupies
+the Villa Fiorina close by. Will you try to make me believe you had not
+seen each other before, not spoken?"
+
+"I do not wish to try and make you believe anything," said Reinhold
+coldly. "How I stand to Eleonore, our utterly estranged meeting must
+have shown you sufficiently. Calm yourself. You have nothing to dread
+from that side. What else has taken place between me and my _wife_ I
+shall not confess to _you_."
+
+A slight, but yet perceptible tone of contempt lay on the two words,
+and it seemed to be understood.
+
+"It appears you place me _below_ your wife," said Beatrice weeping.
+"Below the woman whose only merit was and is that of being the mother
+of your child; who never----"
+
+"Pray, leave that alone!" interrupted he, with decision. "You know I
+never permit you to touch upon that point, and now I shall endure it
+less than ever. If you must get up a scene for me, do it, but leave my
+wife and child out of the drama."
+
+It was as if his words had let a storm loose, so raging, so unmeasured
+did the Italian's passion now break forth, dragging every trace of
+self-control along with it.
+
+"Your wife and your child!" repeated she, beside herself. "Oh, I know
+what these words signify to me; I must experience it often enough. Have
+they not forced themselves between us from the first moment of our
+meeting until to-day? To them I owe every bitter hour, every strange
+emotion in your heart. They have lain upon you like a shadow, amidst
+the growth of your artist's renown, amidst all your conquests and
+triumphs; as if they had cursed you there in the north, with the
+recollection of them, you could not tear your self away from them; and
+yet there was a time when they were the oppressive fetters which
+separated you from life and future--which you must break at last!"
+
+"To exchange them for others," completed Reinhold, whose violence now
+burst forth, "and the question is, are these others lighter? There, it
+was only the outward circumstances which confined me; my thoughts,
+feelings and actions were at all events free. You would fain see these,
+also like myself, without a will, at your feet, and that you could not
+attain this, or at least not always, I have had to atone for by hours
+of endless excitement and bitterness. Your love would have made any
+other man into your slave. Me it forced to stand in constant opposition
+to your love of ruling, which tried to take possession of every
+innermost thought and feeling. But I should have thought, Beatrice,
+that you had hitherto found in me your master, who knew how to preserve
+his own independence, and would not allow his whole being and nature to
+be clasped in chains."
+
+The storm had now been called up. Henceforth there was no restraint, no
+more moderation; at least not for Beatrice, whose passion foamed out
+ever wilder.
+
+"I must hear that, too, from the lips of the man who so often called me
+his muse? Have you forgotten who it was who first awoke you to the
+knowledge of your talents and of yourself; who alone led you up to the
+sun's height of fame? Without me, the admired Rinaldo would have
+succumbed under the fetters which he did not dare to break."
+
+She did not realise how deeply her reproach must wound his pride as a
+man. Reinhold was roused, but not with that haughtiness which, until
+now, too often darkened his character; this time it was a proud,
+energetic self-consciousness with which he drew himself up.
+
+"That he _never_ would. Do you think so little of my talent, that you
+believe it could only force open its path with you, and through you? Do
+you think I should not have found my way alone, not alone have swung
+myself up to the present height? Ask my works about it! They will give
+you the reply. I should have gone sooner or later. That I went with
+you, became my doom, as that broke every bond between me and home, and
+also drew me upon paths which the man as well as the composer had
+better have avoided. For years you kept me in the intoxication of a
+life which never offered me even one hour's real contentment or true
+happiness, because you knew that when once I awoke your power would be
+all at an end. You might postpone it, hinder it never--the awaking came
+late, too late, perhaps; but still it came at last."
+
+Beatrice leaned upon the marble chimney-piece by which she stood; her
+whole body trembled as with fever; this hour showed her indeed what she
+had long felt, without wishing to acknowledge to herself--that her
+power was in truth at an end.
+
+"And who do you think shall be the sacrifice to this 'awaking?'" said
+she in a hollow voice. "Take care, Rinaldo! You forsook your wife, and
+she bore it patiently--_I_ shall not bear it. Beatrice Biancona does
+not allow herself to be sacrificed."
+
+"No, she would rather sacrifice." Reinhold stepped before her and
+looked her firmly in the face. "You would plant the dagger--is it not
+true, Beatrice?--in yourself or me, all alike, if only your revenge
+were cooled? And if I seized the weapon from your hand, and returned
+repentant to you, you would open your arms to me again. You are right,
+Eleonore bore it more patiently; not a word, not a reproach restrained
+me, the cry of anguish was smothered in her heart. I did not hear even
+one sound of it; but at the moment in which I left her, I was the one
+rejected--my return was shut out for ever. And if I came to her now, in
+all the brilliancy of my fame and success--if I laid laurels, gold,
+honour, everything at her feet, and myself also--it would be in vain;
+she would not forgive me."
+
+He broke off, as if he had said too much already. Beatrice did not
+reply one word; not a sound came from her lips; only her eyes spoke a
+gloomy, unnatural language; but Reinhold did not understand it this
+time, or would not understand it.
+
+"You see this separation is irretrievable," said he, more quietly. "I
+repeat it, you have nothing to fear from that side. It was you, not I,
+who provoked this scene. It is not well to awaken the ghosts of the
+past--at least not between us. Let them rest."
+
+He left her and went into the adjoining room, where he busied himself
+with the music lying on the piano, or seemed to busy himself with it,
+to escape further conversation.
+
+"Let them rest!" that was said so gloomily, so quietly, and yet it
+sounded like scorn from his lips. Could he not even banish the ghosts
+of the past? And he demanded it of the woman who saw menaced by them
+what she deemed to be her highest good, her love for him, which,
+notwithstanding all that had passed between Rinaldo and herself in the
+course of years, still clung to him with all the strength of her inward
+being; whose glowing, passionate nature had in love as in hate never
+known any bounds. Whoever saw Beatrice now, as she raised herself
+slowly, and gazed after him, must have known that she would not let
+them rest, nor would she rest herself; and Reinhold should have
+considered, when he opposed her so defiantly, that he did not stand
+alone against her revenge any longer, and that in this hour he had
+betrayed, only too well, by which means she could strike a deadly blow.
+The glances of evil token which flashed there did not menace him, but
+something else which he was unable to protect, because the right to do
+so was denied him--his wife and child!
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER IV.
+
+
+"I wish, Eleonore, we had stayed in the Villa Fiorina, and not
+undertaken our migration here," said Consul Erlau, as he stood still
+before his adopted daughter, whom he had surprised in tears on his
+unlooked-for entrance into her room. "I see I have made you suffer far
+too much by it."
+
+Ella had soon effaced the traces of weeping, and now smiled with a
+calmness which might well have deceived a stranger.
+
+"Pray, uncle, do not be anxious on my account! We are here for your
+sake, and we will thank God if your recovery, which has begun so
+promisingly in the south, is completed here."
+
+"Still I wish that Dr. Conti were at any other place in the world,"
+replied the Consul, annoyed, "only not just in the town which we would
+avoid at all cost, and where I am obliged to put myself under his
+treatment. Poor child, I knew you were making a sacrifice for me in
+this journey; how great it is I only now am learning to see."
+
+"It is no sacrifice, at least no longer now," said Ella, firmly. "I
+only dreaded the possibility of a first meeting. Now this is overcome,
+and all the rest with it."
+
+Erlau examined her features enquiringly, and somewhat suspiciously.
+"Indeed! then why have you wept?"
+
+"Uncle, one cannot always control one's mood. I was cast down just
+now."
+
+"Eleonore!" The Consul seated himself beside her, and took her hand in
+his. "You know I have never been able to overcome the thought that this
+unhappy connection commenced in my house, and my only satisfaction was
+that this house could afford you a home afterwards. I hoped that now,
+when years lie between, when everything in and around you has so
+completely changed, the injury you once received would pain you no
+longer; and instead I must see that it continues to burn undiminished
+and unforgotten--that the old wounds are torn open afresh, that
+you--"
+
+"You are mistaken," interrupted Ella, hastily, "you are quite mistaken,
+I--have long made an end of the past."
+
+Erlau shook his head incredulously. "As if you would ever show that you
+suffered! I know best what reticence and self-control are hidden under
+these fair plaits. You have often displayed more of it than you could
+answer for to your second father, but his sight is keener and goes
+deeper than that of others; and I tell you, Eleonore, you cannot be
+recognised since the day when that Rinaldo, regardless of all refusals,
+at last forced an interview upon you. What exactly passed between you I
+do not know to this day; it was trouble enough even to obtain the
+confession from you that he was with you. You are utterly inaccessible
+in such matters, but deny it as you may, you have become quite another
+person since that hour."
+
+"Nothing took place at all," persisted Ella, "nothing of importance. He
+demanded to see the child, and I refused him."
+
+"And who answers for it that he will not repeat the attempt?"
+
+"Reinhold. You do not know him! I have dismissed him from my door; he
+will never pass it a second time. He understood everything, only not
+how to humble himself."
+
+"At any rate he had tact enough to leave Mirando as soon as possible,"
+said Erlau. "This vicinity would have been unbearable for any length of
+time. But his withdrawal was not of much use, as then Marchese Tortoni
+sprang up, who raved so uninterruptedly to you about his friend that I
+felt obliged at last to give him a hint that this subject did not
+receive the slightest sympathy from us."
+
+"Perhaps you did it too plainly," suggested Ella, softly. "He had no
+conception of the wounds he touched, and your harsh repulse of it must
+have seemed remarkable to him."
+
+"I do not care! Then he can obtain the commentary upon it from his
+much-admired friend. Were I to allow you to endure Signor Rinaldo's
+glorification for hours, certainly we were not much better off here.
+One cannot take up a newspaper, receive a visit, hold a conversation,
+without stumbling upon his name; every third word is Rinaldo. He seems
+to have infected the whole town with his tones and his new opera, which
+seems to be considered here as a sort of event of the world. Poor
+child! and you must be quiet under it all, must witness how this man
+regularly revels in victories and triumphs, how he has attained the
+zenith of success, and maintains it undisputed."
+
+The young wife rested her head on her hand so that the latter shaded
+her face.
+
+"Perhaps you deceive yourself after all. He may be celebrated and
+worshipped like no other--happy he is not."
+
+"I am glad of it," said the Consul, violently, "I am extremely glad of
+it. There would be no more justice or right in the world if he were.
+And that he has seen you, as you allow yourself to be seen now, does
+not conduce much to his happiness, I hope."
+
+He had risen at the last words, and walked up and down the room with
+his old vivacity. A short silence followed, which Ella at last
+interrupted--
+
+"I want to beg something of you, dear uncle. Will you grant it me?"
+
+Erlau stopped. "Gladly, my child. You know I cannot easily refuse you
+anything. What do you wish?"
+
+Ella had fixed her eyes on the ground, and did not look up while she
+spoke.
+
+"It is that Rein--that Reinhold's latest work is to be performed the
+day after to-morrow."
+
+"Yes, to be sure, and then the adoration will become unendurable,"
+growled Erlau. "You wish to escape from the first commotion about it--I
+understand that, perfectly; we will drive into the mountains for a week
+or a fortnight. Dr. Conti must give me leave of absence for so long."
+
+"On the contrary. I wanted to beg you--to go to the opera with me."
+
+The Consul looked at her with a countenance full of the most intense
+astonishment.
+
+"What, Eleonore! I cannot have heard aright? You wish to go on that day
+to the theatre, which hitherto you have so decidedly avoided as soon as
+Rinaldo's name was connected with it?"
+
+Notwithstanding the shielding hand, one could see plainly how the deep
+red which coloured her cheeks rose to her temples, as she replied
+almost inaudibly--
+
+"I never ventured to enter the opera house at home, when _his_ music
+reigned there. I always felt as if every one's eyes would be directed
+to me and seek me, even in the darkest background of our box. In your
+drawing-rooms and in those of our acquaintances I seldom or never heard
+his compositions. People avoided them whenever I was present; people
+knew what had taken place, and tried to spare me in every way. I never
+attempted to break through this fence of shielding consideration which
+you all drew around me. Perhaps I was too great a coward to do so,
+perhaps also, too much embittered. Now," she raised herself suddenly,
+with a violent motion, and her voice gained perfect firmness, "now
+I have seen Reinhold again, now I will learn to know him in his
+works--him and her."
+
+Erlau's astonishment continued; apparently this affair surprised him in
+the highest degree, but it was very evident that he was not accustomed
+to refuse his favourite anything, even if it seemed to him to be a
+point requiring consideration. For the present, however, he was
+relieved from an immediate consent, as the servant entered with the
+announcement that Dr. Conti had just driven up, and that Captain
+Almbach also was in the drawing-room.
+
+"Certainly, Herr Captain Almbach is most enviable in his want of
+diffidence," said the Consul. "Notwithstanding all that has passed
+between you and his brother, he asserts his right as a relation just
+the same as if nothing had occurred. Hugo Almbach is the only person in
+the world who could do this."
+
+"Do you not like his visits?" asked Ella.
+
+"I!" Erlau smiled. "Child, you know that he has won me as completely as
+every one else whom he chooses to win, perhaps only excepting my
+Eleonore, for whom he seems to entertain quite incredible respect."
+
+He then took his adopted daughter's arm, and led her to the
+drawing-room. The medical visit did not last long, and Hugo in about
+half-an-hour also quitted the Erlau's house, which he was wont to visit
+frequently. Whether Reinhold knew of it could not be decided, certainly
+he suspected it; but there appeared to be a tacit agreement between the
+brothers not to touch upon this subject. It was not Captain Almbach's
+way to force himself into a confidence which was determinedly and
+continuedly withheld from him, and therefore he followed Reinhold's
+example, who observed utter silence about the meeting in the _locanda_,
+and never mentioned his wife's or child's names again, since he knew
+they were in his neighbourhood. What might be really hidden beneath the
+impenetrable reticence, Hugo could not discover, but he was convinced
+that it did not arise from indifference.
+
+Captain Almbach had reached his brother's dwelling, and entered his own
+room, where he found Jonas, who seemed to be waiting for him. In the
+sailor's appearance to-day there was decidedly something unusual; his
+wonted phlegm had given way to a certain restlessness, with which he
+waited until his master had taken off hat and gloves and sat down.
+Hardly was this done, than he came forward and planted himself close
+beside the Captain's chair.
+
+"What is it then, Jonas?" asked the latter, becoming attentive. "You
+look as if you meant to make a speech."
+
+"That is what I wish to do," said Jonas, as he placed himself in an
+attitude half solemn, half confused.
+
+"Indeed? That is something new. I was always under the impression
+hitherto that you would prove a most valuable acquisition to a Trappist
+monastery. If, however, by means of all the classical recollections
+here, the spirit of oratory has come to you also, I rejoice at it.
+Begin then, I will listen."
+
+"Herr Captain Almbach"--the sailor's spirit of oratory did not seem to
+be sufficiently developed, as for the present he could not get beyond
+those three words, and instead of continuing, he gazed persistently and
+fixedly on the floor as if he wished to count the Mosaic stones.
+
+"Listen, Jonas, I am suspicious about you," said Hugo, impressively. "I
+have been suspicious about you for more than a week, you do not growl
+any more; you cast no more furious looks at the padrona and her maids;
+you sometimes lay your face in folds, such as any one with power of
+imagination might consider the first feeble attempt at a smile. I
+repeat it, these are highly serious symptoms, and I am prepared for the
+worst."
+
+Jonas seemed to discover that he must express himself somewhat more
+clearly. He made an energetic start, and actually completed half a
+sentence.
+
+"Herr Captain Almbach, there are men--"
+
+"A most indisputable fact, which I do not in the remotest degree intend
+to attack. So there are men--well, go on."
+
+"Who may like women," continued Jonas.
+
+"And others who may not like them," added the Captain, as a second
+pause ensued; "an equally undeniable fact, of which Herr Captain Hugo
+Almbach's seaman, William Jonas, of the 'Ellida,' is offered as an
+example."
+
+"I did not wish to say that exactly," responded the sailor, whom this
+arbitrary continuation of his evidently studied speech quite
+disconcerted. "I only meant to say that there are men who appear to be,
+no one knows how unkind towards women, and yet at heart are not so at
+all, because they think nothing about them."
+
+"I believe that is a very flattering illustration of my character,"
+remarked Hugo. "But now tell me, for Heaven's sake, what do you purpose
+with all these prologues?"
+
+Jonas drew several long breaths; the next words appeared to be too hard
+for him. At last he said, stammeringly--
+
+"Herr Captain Almbach, I know, of course, best what you really
+are--and--and--I know a young woman."
+
+A smile, which he suppressed with difficulty, quivered about Captain
+Almbach's lips, but he compelled himself to remain serious.
+
+"Really!" said he, coolly, "that is, indeed, a remarkable event for
+you."
+
+"And I will bring her to you," continued Jonas.
+
+Now Captain Almbach began to laugh aloud. "Jonas, I believe you are not
+sane. What in the world am I to do with this young woman. Shall I marry
+her?"
+
+"You shall do nothing with her," explained the sailor, with an injured
+countenance. "You are only to look at her."
+
+"A very modest pleasure," scoffed Hugo. "Who then is the lady
+concerned, and what necessity requires me to look at her?"
+
+"It is the little Annunziata, Signora Biancona's lady's maid," replied
+Jonas, who now became more fluent of speech. "A poor, quiet young
+thing, without father or mother. She has only been a couple of months
+with the Signora, and at first all went well with her; but there is a
+man," the sailor clenched his fist with intense rage, "called Gianelli,
+and he is the conductor; he follows the poor thing at every step, and
+never leaves her in peace. She has repulsed him once very roughly, and
+on that account he maligned her to the Signora, and since then the
+Signora is so unkind and violent to her, that she can stand it no
+longer. In _that_ house, indeed, she does not see much good, and
+therefore she shall leave, and must leave, and I shall not allow her to
+remain any longer."
+
+"You appear to be very fully informed about that little Annunziata,"
+remarked Hugo, dryly. "She is an Italian; have you learned all these
+details by pantomimic means?"
+
+"The Signora's servant helped us now and then, when we could not get
+on," confessed Jonas, quite openly. "But he speaks horrible German, and
+I do not like him putting his finger into everything. Without reference
+to this, though, she shall get away from the whole crew; she must
+absolutely go into a German house."
+
+"On account of the morals," added Hugo.
+
+"Yes, and besides on account of learning German. She cannot speak a
+single word of it, and it is really sad when people cannot understand
+one another. So I thought--you often go to Herr Consul Erlau, Herr
+Captain Almbach--perhaps young Frau Erlau may want a maid, and in such
+a rich household it cannot matter one person more or less, if you were
+to put in a good word for Annunziata." He stopped and looked
+beseechingly at his master.
+
+"I will speak to the lady," said Captain Almbach, "and at all events it
+will be better for you only to introduce your _protegée_ after I have
+had a decided answer; I will also look at her then. But one thing more,
+Jonas"--he put on a grave expression--"I presume that nothing
+influences you in the whole matter, excepting pity for the poor
+persecuted child?"
+
+"Only pure pity, Herr Captain," assured the sailor, with such honest
+frankness that Hugo was obliged to bite his lips, so as not to give way
+to renewed laughter.
+
+"I really believe he is capable of imagining that," murmured he, and
+then added aloud, "I am glad to hear it. I was convinced of it from the
+first; as you know, Jonas, _we_ shall never marry!"
+
+"No, Herr Captain," answered the sailor; but the answer sounded
+somewhat wanting in heartiness.
+
+"Because we think nothing of women," said Hugo, with immovable
+seriousness. "Beyond pity and gratitude, the story never goes; then we
+sail away, and regret remains with them."
+
+This time the sailor made no reply, but he looked at his master as if
+much taken aback.
+
+"And it is indeed most fortunate that it is so," ended Captain Almbach,
+with great emphasis. "Women on our 'Ellida!' Heaven preserve us from
+them!"
+
+With which he left Jonas and went out of the room. The latter looked
+after him with an expression in which it was difficult to decide
+whether it consisted more of annoyance or sadness; finally, however,
+the latter sentiment seemed to prevail, as he let his head droop, and
+uttered a sigh, saying, in an undertone--
+
+"Yes, certainly, she is a woman also--more's the pity!"
+
+Hugo had gone across into his brother's study, where he found him
+alone. The piano stood open, but Reinhold himself lay extended on
+the couch, his head thrown back on the cushions. The face, with its
+half-closed eyes and high forehead, with its dark hair falling over it,
+looked alarmingly pale. It was an attitude, not of repose, but of the
+most supreme fatigue and exhaustion, and he barely changed it at his
+brother's entrance.
+
+"Reinhold, really this is too bad of you," said the latter, coming up
+to him. "Half the town is in commotion with your opera; in the theatre
+everything is in a whirl; people openly fight for tickets. His
+Excellency the Director does not know where his head is, and Donna
+Beatrice is in a regular state of nervous excitement. And you, the real
+promoter of all this disturbance, dream away here in _dolce far
+niente_, as if there were no public nor operas in the world."
+
+Reinhold turned his head towards the new comer with a feeble,
+indifferent movement; his face showed that his dreams had been anything
+but sweet.
+
+"You were at the rehearsal?" asked he. "Did you see Cesario?"
+
+"The Marchese? Certainly, although he was no more at the rehearsal than
+I was. This time he preferred to give a performance himself in the
+higher equestrian art; I have just paid a high tribute of admiration to
+his bravery."
+
+"Cesario? How so?"
+
+"Well, he rode no less than three times up and down the same street,
+and regularly under a certain balcony; let his horse curvet so
+senselessly that one dreaded an accident every moment. He will break
+his own and his beautiful animal's neck too, if he should try that
+often. Unfortunately this time mine was the only, probably not much
+wished for, physiognomy which he saw at the window."
+
+The evidently irritable tone of these words caught Reinhold's
+attention--he half raised himself up.
+
+"At which window?"
+
+Hugo bit his lips; in his anger he had quite forgotten to whom he
+spoke. His brother remarked his hesitation.
+
+"Do you mean the Erlau's house?" asked he, quickly. "It seems to me you
+often visit it."
+
+"Sometimes, at least," was Captain Almbach's quick response. "You know
+I have always enjoyed the privilege of neutrality there; even when the
+battle was raging most fiercely in my uncle's house, I have asserted
+this old privilege there, and it is tacitly recognised by both
+parties."
+
+Reinhold had raised himself entirely, but the eagerness had quite
+disappeared from his features; in its place was a dark expression of
+enquiry, as he said--
+
+"Then Cesario has also the _entrée_ of the Erlau's house? Of course you
+introduced him there."
+
+"Yes, I was so--stupid," said Captain Almbach, speaking angrily,
+"and I seem to have caused something very charming by it. We had hardly
+left Mirando when Don Cesario--who cannot resolve to sacrifice his
+freedom---who rides past the only lady in the neighbourhood without
+looking at her even--loses no time on the strength of that introduction
+in making himself agreeable at the Villa Fiorina; and this was done,
+the Herr Consul tells me, in so pleasant and modest a manner that it
+was impossible to repulse him; the more so, as our departure from
+Mirando removed the only cause of their seclusion. Then he was
+fortunate enough to discover Herr Doctor Conti, who was making his
+_villegiatura_ somewhere in the vicinity, and bring him to the Herr
+Consul. The doctor's treatment produced results beyond all expectation,
+and Don Cesario is almost looked upon in the family as the saviour
+of life, which he knows how to make use of. Trust one of those
+women-haters! They are the worst of all; Jonas has just given me a
+speaking example of it. He has started a wonderful theory of pity, in
+which he believes firmly as in the Gospel; but all the same, it has
+caught him hopelessly, and the aristocratic Marchese Tortoni is on the
+same path."
+
+It could not have escaped any calm observer, that under the Captain's
+mocking speech, which was usually only dictated by mischief, a
+bitterness lay concealed which, with all his scoffing, he could not
+quite control; but Reinhold was far from calm. He had listened as if he
+would read every word from off his brother's lips, and at the last
+remark he started up wildly.
+
+"On what path? What do you mean by it?"
+
+Hugo stepped back as if struck, "My God, Reinhold, how can you fly out
+like that? I only meant--"
+
+"It concerns Ella, does it not?" interrupted Reinhold, with the same
+violence. "To whom else can these attentions be paid?"
+
+"Certainly, to Ella," said Captain Almbach. It was the first time for
+months that this name had been mentioned between them. "And just for
+this reason, it can and must be indifferent to you."
+
+Simple as the remark was, it seemed to hit Reinhold unexpectedly hard.
+He strode up and down the room once or twice, and at last stopped
+before his brother.
+
+"Cesario has no idea of the truth," said he, in a suppressed voice;
+"he made some enthusiastic remarks to me at the beginning. I may have
+betrayed to him, involuntarily, how much they pained me, as since then
+he has not touched the topic again."
+
+"Erlau appears to have given him a similar hint," added Hugo. "He tried
+to find out something about it from me--if any and what connection
+existed between you and that family. I naturally avoided it, but he
+seems to suspect some former enmity between you and Erlau."
+
+Reinhold looked down gloomily. "This connection will indeed not long
+remain a secret. Beatrice knows it already, and, as I fear, from a very
+unsafe source, whence no silence can be expected. Cesario must learn it
+sooner or later, after what you have just disclosed to me. He is
+romantic enough to take anything of the sort seriously, and give
+himself up, with his whole soul, to a hopeless passion."
+
+Captain Almbach leaned with folded arms against the piano, a slight
+pallor lay upon his face, and his voice trembled faintly, as he
+answered--
+
+"Who tells you that it is hopeless?"
+
+"Hugo, that is an insult," stormed Reinhold. "Do you forget that
+Eleonore is my wife?"
+
+"She was," said Captain Almbach, emphasising the word strongly. "You
+surely think now as little of asserting such rights as she would be
+inclined to admit them."
+
+Reinhold was silent. He knew best with what determination even the
+slightest appearance of any right was denied him.
+
+"You have both been satisfied with mere separation," continued Hugo,
+"without requiring judicial divorce. You did not need it, and what
+restrains Ella from it I understand only too well. In such a case final
+decisions as to the possession of the boy must be made. She knew that
+you would never quite sacrifice your paternal rights, and trembled at
+the thought of giving you the boy even for a time. Your tacit
+resignation of him was sufficient for her; she preferred to give up all
+satisfaction, in order to remain in undisturbed possession of her
+child."
+
+Reinhold stood there as if struck by lightning. The glow of agitation
+which had so lately coloured his brow disappeared; he had become deadly
+pale again, as he asked, in a suppressed voice--
+
+"And this--this you think was the sole reason?"
+
+"So far as I know Ella, the sole one which could prevent her completing
+the step which you had commenced."
+
+"And you think that Cesario has hopes?"
+
+"I do not know it," said Hugo, seriously, "but we both know that
+nothing stands in the way of Ella's freedom, if she were really
+disposed to assert it still. You forsook her, gave her up entirely for
+years, and all the world knows why it was done, and what kept you
+continuously away from her. She has not only law, but also public
+opinion on her side, and I fear the latter would compel you to leave
+the boy with her. Beatrice stands terribly in the way of your paternal
+rights."
+
+"You think that Cesario has hopes?" repeated Reinhold, but this time
+the words sounded moody and full of menace.
+
+"I believe that he loves her, loves her passionately, and that sooner
+or later he will try to woo her. He will then certainly learn that the
+imaginary widow was the wife of his friend, and still bears that
+friend's name, but I doubt if this will exercise any influence upon
+him, as not the slightest shadow falls upon Ella. Only your friendship
+may receive an irrecoverable blow; but even without this, it would be
+at an end, so soon as passion speaks; consider this, Reinhold, and do
+not let yourself be carried away to any rash act. You broke your
+bonds in order to set yourself free. Thereby you also made Eleonore
+free--perhaps for another."
+
+Captain Almbach's voice fell at the last words, and, as if to suppress
+or conceal some violent emotion, he turned quickly to depart. Although
+his brother's agitation, whom he left alone, did not escape him, he had
+not the remotest suspicion of the firebrand which his words threw into
+the other's breast.
+
+If Reinhold had shown almost nothing but fatigue and indifference
+lately to those around him, if a sensation often overcame him that for
+him there was an end of life and love, this moment proved that the same
+wild passion could still rage in his heart which had once drawn the
+young artist away from his bonds at home; and the manner in which the
+storm had been loosed, betrayed, if not to others yet to himself, that
+which hitherto he _would_ not know, and which now disclosed itself to
+him with merciless distinctness. The defiance and bitterness with which
+he had armed himself against the wife who dared to let him feel that he
+had once deeply offended her, and that she would now and never more
+pardon this offence, succumbed before the burning pain which suddenly
+blazed forth in his breast. But although his pride taught him to meet
+the coldness, indifference and irreconciliation with harshness, he
+still could not prevent it that so soon as the picture of his child
+rose before him its mother's form also stood by its side. Certainly it
+was no longer the same Ella, who a few months previously barely held a
+place in his recollection, but the woman, who on that evening, when for
+the first time he recognised what he had so frivolously given up, and
+what he had irretrievably lost, had shown him such an energetic will,
+and such a never dreamed of depth of feeling. Near the child's fair
+curly head there hovered, ever and ever, the face with those large,
+deep blue eyes, whose glance had struck him so annihilatingly. He did
+not confess to himself with what passion he clung to this picture, with
+what longing he dreamed away hours in these recollections; he did not
+even confess the thought which lay unexpressed in his soul, that the
+woman who still bore his name, who was the mother of his child,
+notwithstanding all that had happened, still belonged to him, and
+although he had forfeited the right of possession, at any rate no other
+dared approach her.
+
+And now he must hear that another already stretched forth his hand to
+the prize, and offered everything to gain it. His brother's words
+unsparingly disclosed the motive, to which alone he owed it, that Ella
+had not answered his flight with letters of divorce. Only for the
+child's sake was she still called his wife; not because one trace of
+liking for him lingered in her heart. And if she were now to take the
+step once avoided; if on her side she removed the chain, now when a
+Cesario offered her his hand, who could prevent her; who could blame
+the woman, who after the lapse of years sought at last in a purer,
+better love, recompense for the treachery her husband had exercised
+towards her? The danger did not lie in the fact that Marchese Tortoni,
+who was handsome, rich, and who, belonging to one of the noblest
+families, was the aim of so many aspirations, could raise his wife to a
+brilliant position; that could only come under Erlau's consideration;
+but Reinhold knew that Cesario, with his noble and thoroughly pure
+character, with his glowing enthusiasm for everything beautiful and
+ideal, might indeed win the heart of an Eleonore--yes, must win it--if
+this heart were still free; and this conviction robbed him of all
+self-possession. There was once an hour in which the young wife had
+lain full of despair on her knees by her child's cradle, with the
+annihilating consciousness that at that moment her husband was
+forsaking her, his child, and his home for another's sake--that hour
+now revenged itself on him, who was guilty of it, revenged itself in
+the words, which stood as if written in letters of flame before his
+soul--"Therefore you made her free also--perhaps for another."
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER V.
+
+
+A storm of applause rolled through the opera house, and the curtain had
+not even been drawn up as yet. It was for the overture, whose last
+tones had just resounded. The theatre was filled to overflowing in
+every place, with the sole exception of one small proscenium box close
+to the stage; this was occupied by a single elderly gentleman, probably
+some rich eccentric, whom it pleased to procure by lavish expenditure
+of money the entire possession of a box, as on such an evening it would
+otherwise hardly have been obtained. Every where else the dazzlingly
+lighted spaces and tiers of boxes, with their rich parterres of ladies,
+offered a brilliant and variegated picture. The world of artists, as
+well as aristocracy, was fully represented. All which the town
+possessed in the way of beauties, celebrities and persons of
+distinction, had appeared to prepare a new triumph for the much admired
+favourite of society. And was this merely what it was all for? No young
+composer was offering his work timidly to the approbation or
+disapprobation of the public: a recognised and undisputed sovereign in
+the realms of music stepped before the world with a new display of his
+talent, in order to gain a new conquest by it. This certainly lay
+written very plainly, although not as if it were agreeable, upon
+Maestro Gianelli's face, who conducted the orchestra. At the same time
+he did not venture to fail in zeal or attention. He knew only too well
+that if he attempted here, where of course a portion of the success
+depended upon him, to intrigue against the all-powerful Rinaldo, it
+must cost him his post, perhaps his entire future, as in such a case
+the disfavour of the public would be ensured to him. Therefore he did
+his duty to the fullest extent, and the overture was performed with
+perfect execution.
+
+The curtain rustled, and in anticipation the composer received the
+homage of eager silence. Before the first act was half concluded there
+was not one of the audience who had not already forgiven Reinhold the
+tyranny with which he had disposed of all means in his hands, and
+insisted mercilessly on having his views carried out. The
+representation was in every respect perfect, and the scenery a
+masterwork. All felt that it was a different hand to that of the usual
+manager which had ruled here, and raised simple theatrical effects
+everywhere to artistic beauty; but all these external advantages
+disappeared before the all-attracting power of the work.
+
+It was, perhaps, the most perfect which Rinaldo had ever composed in
+his own peculiar line, a line by many so much admired, and by so many
+others deplored. At all events this time he produced the very best in
+that style to which Beatrice's influence had drawn him; was it the
+highest which he could produce? This question was absorbed at present
+in the ringing applause with which the audience greeted this new
+creation of their favourite. Was it not Rinaldo again with all the
+fiery spirit of his genius, of which none could tell positively whether
+it were at home above, in the heights of idealism, or below in the
+depths of passion, and which roused again in men's hearts all feelings
+which lay between these two poles.
+
+The storm raged over the northern heaths, and the billows surged
+against the coast. As mists are driven along the cliffs, so rose and
+fell the tones in chaotic confusion, until at last a dreamlike,
+beautiful melody dawned forth. But it only hovered like a fleeting
+vapoury picture over the whole, never completed, never ringing forth
+clear and full, and soon it was lost amid other sounds, which not so
+pure and sweet as it, yet attracted with a singularly strange charm.
+The mists separated, and out of them appeared the demon-like beautiful
+form, which was the chief performer and central figure of the whole
+opera. Loud acclamation greeted Signora Biancona's appearance on the
+stage. Beatrice showed to-day that she still understood how to be
+beautiful, as at the commencement of her career. What art may have done
+towards it was not now brought into consideration, enough that the
+apparition standing before the public was perfect in every respect. The
+half fantastic, half classic costume displayed her figure in all its
+grace, her dark curls flowed loosely over her shoulders, and her eyes
+gleamed with the old devouring fire. And now that voice was raised,
+which had been the admiration of almost all Europe, full and powerful,
+filling the extensive space--the singer still stood at the zenith of
+her beauty and artistic strength.
+
+The melodies flowed forth, still more glowing, more fiery, and before
+the audience a picture of sounds was unfolded which seemed to borrow
+its colours, now from the brightest sunlight, now from the scorching
+heat of a crater. It pourtrayed the lost wild life of one whose cup was
+filled to the brim, and who drained it to the very dregs. This rushing
+forth beyond all bounds and limits, the volcanic glow of feelings, the
+goblinlike play with tones carried the hearers irresistibly away on the
+sea of passion, there to cast them adrift between shuddering and
+enchantment, between heaven and hell. At times, indeed, notes rang out
+like pæans of joy and triumph, but between were startling, harsh
+discords, and then again sounds of that first lost melody were wafted
+back, which ran through the entire opera like a soft, intensely painful
+yearning plaint. As a dream of love and happiness passes through the
+soul of man without ever descending to reality, so breathed and died
+these tones in the distance, while in the foreground stood ever and
+ever again the one figure, which Rinaldo had endowed with the highest
+dramatic power, of which he was a master like none other, which he had
+surrounded with all the magic of his melodies, whose sensual,
+entrancing charms were laid like a ban upon the listeners' souls.
+
+Beatrice was, if any one, adapted to understand this music exactly in
+its innermost being and nature and to do it justice; she, whose
+peculiar element was passion, who, as an actress, had sought and found
+her triumph in it only. It rang out of every note of her singing,
+quivered out of every motion in her acting, which raised itself to a
+greater dramatic height than ever before, while she represented hate
+and love, devotion and despair, rage and revenge with life-like truth.
+It was as though this woman poured forth a stream of fire, which
+imparted itself to the audience, who, half charmed, half alarmed,
+followed her performance. Never yet had the singer been so entirely
+part of her task, never yet had she delivered it so perfectly as this
+time. No one guessed, indeed, for what prize she struggled, what urged
+her to employ her best powers. Was it not to win back _him_, whom
+already she had more than half lost! He had admired the actress before
+he had learned to love the woman, and the actress now called all the
+power of her talent to her aid, in order to maintain that of the woman.
+For the first time the storm of applause was indifferent to her, as it
+succeeded every scene; for the first time she did not care for the
+worship of the crowd; she only waited for the one glance of passionate
+rapture which had so often thanked her on such evenings--but to-day she
+waited in vain.
+
+"Signora Biancona surpasses herself tonight," said Marchese Tortoni,
+enthusiastically, to Captain Almbach, who was in his box. "Often as I
+have admired her, I never saw her like this before."
+
+"Nor I," replied Hugo, monosyllabically.
+
+Cesario looked at him in undisguised astonishment. "That sounds very
+cool, Signor Capitano. Have you no other expression of admiration for
+this woman, who stands so close to your brother?"
+
+Hugo's countenance was indeed as cool as his tone, while he replied
+quietly, "That is just Reinhold's taste. Sometimes our views lie very
+far apart. However, it would be unjust not to admire Signora Biancona
+to-night without reserve, and I do it, too--that is to say, from a
+spectator's point of view. Close to her, such a passion, beyond all
+reason, which seems to know no limits, would be rather unnatural. I can
+never quite dismiss the thought that one day Donna Beatrice will carry
+this truly masterful acting into reality, and could be a sort of Medea
+there also, who only breathes forth death and ruin. That she _can_ do
+it, one sees by her eyes and--although I do not otherwise exactly
+belong to the timid class, I could not love such a woman."
+
+"And yet Reinhold's works require exactly this fiery representation,"
+said the Marchese, reproachfully, "and of that only a Biancona is
+capable."
+
+"Yes, to be sure, she has always been his doom," murmured Hugo, "and he
+will never be free so long as this doom reigns over him."
+
+The two gentlemen had long since remarked Consul Erlau in the opposite
+stage box, and exchanged greetings with him. They never suspected that
+he was not alone any more than did others of the audience, as the lady
+who accompanied him sat far behind in the background of the box,
+entirely concealed by the folds of the half lowered curtain, but yet so
+that she could quite overlook the stage, and her companion, when he
+spoke to her, took the precaution of rising and stepping back also. She
+wished, evidently, to avoid being seen, and also to avoid a visit from
+the two gentlemen.
+
+Ella had actually obtained the fulfilment of her wish by her indulgent
+adopted father. So far she knew but few, and only the unimportant
+compositions of her husband, several songs and fantasias, nothing else.
+The peculiar field of his labours and its results--the opera--was
+unknown to her. In consequence of the deadly wound inflicted upon her,
+she had never been able to conquer herself sufficiently to witness the
+triumphs which his operas obtained in her native town, those triumphs
+which were founded on the ruins of her life's happiness; and what she
+learned from the newspapers, or through strangers to whom her near
+connection with the admired composer was not known, only plunged the
+dagger deeper into her soul. Now, for the first time, the tone poet,
+Rinaldo, appeared before her in the most genial of his works, now she
+learned to know the power of those notes which so often had conquered
+friends and foes, and even carried away opponents to admiration, and
+the effect was overpowering. Half bent forward, listening breathlessly,
+the young wife followed every note of the music; she was now still
+capable, amid all the beauties which developed themselves before her,
+of gazing into the dark depths which were disclosed therein. For the
+first time she understood her husband's character entirely and wholly,
+this glowing artist's nature with all its contradictions, with its
+storms, tempests and struggles; for the first time she comprehended
+what the deeply injured wife _would_ not comprehend until now, the
+inner need of nature which compelled Reinhold to tear himself loose
+from the confined fetters of provincial every-day life and to follow
+the call of his genius, which made this catastrophe for him a struggle
+between life and death.
+
+That he also broke those bonds, which under every circumstance ought
+to have been held sacred by him, that he sacrificed the duties of a
+father and a husband, who forsook his own for what would have been
+justifiable independence of a free man, could not be exonerated even by
+his genius; but in Ella's heart there now dawned, softly suggested, the
+question--what had she herself been in those days to her husband, that
+she should have required him to resist temptation, which came before
+him in the guise of a Beatrice Biancona, and what could she offer
+against a passion, whose glowing romance had, from the first, ruled the
+artist more than the man. The wife entrusted to him was then far too
+much oppressed with the burden of her education and surroundings, to be
+able to raise herself in any degree to his height; in her place there
+stood another in all the glory of her beauty and talent, and this other
+showed the young composer the path of liberty and fame. He had
+succumbed! Ella felt from the depths of her inmost heart that he would
+not have done so, could she have been to him then what she was to-day.
+
+For the last time the curtain was drawn up, and until the last note
+Reinhold showed that he had been true to himself. The finale was as
+grand as the entire opera, and created a thrilling effect. Yet the work
+was wanting in one thing, the highest, for which not all the brilliant
+flashes of genius could atone, namely, harmony with itself. It had no
+peace, and awoke none in the minds of the audience. The composer
+appeared to have infected his work with the conflict which lay
+unappeased in his own breast; it was after all but the despair of life,
+of happiness, of himself. When the nightlong tempest had raged until
+exhausted, no fluttering morning's red peeped forth, promising a new
+and better day; on the wide, dreary waste of waters only the wreck was
+driven about, and clinging to it the shipwrecked traveller reached his
+native coast at last--too late to be saved. When wearied and wounded to
+death he sinks down there; once more is heard completed, as if 'twere
+ghostly tones from the far off unapproachable distance, that dream-like
+melody for the first time ringing out full and perfect in death, and
+the notes fade and die softly, as the life-blood ebbs away.
+
+The reception of this opera by the audience far surpassed any success
+which Rinaldo had ever gained. Surely this music and performance were
+certain of approbation from a southern public. There every spark took
+fire, there each flame ignited and spread from one to another. One
+would have imagined the applause must have exhausted itself at last,
+the acclamations must have moderated themselves, but to-day even the
+most exalted enthusiasm appeared capable of rising still higher. After
+the close of each act, after every scene, it broke forth anew, and
+ended at last in a regular uproar with which the whole house demanded
+the composer's appearance most tumultuously.
+
+Signor Rinaldo let them wait long before he acceded to this demand, he
+allowed Signora Biancona to come forward alone, again and again, in
+despite of all the stormy cries which were for him. Only at the end of
+the opera, when the calls resembled a riot and the enthusiasm could no
+longer be controlled, only then did he show himself and was greeted in
+such a manner by the audience as must have satisfied the most
+immeasurable ambition.
+
+Proudly and calmly Reinhold stepped on to the stage; he stood almost
+immovable amid the enthusiastic acclamations. He had long since
+learned to accept all triumphs as something due to him, and great
+as were to-day's, not for one moment did they deprive him of his
+self-possession. His dark eyes swept slowly along the rows of boxes,
+but suddenly remained fascinated at a certain point. It was as though
+an electric shock had at once passed through his whole being, he
+started so violently, and his glance flashed--that glance of passionate
+delight for which Beatrice tonight had in vain laid out all the power
+of her talent; and if the fair head which had only become visible for
+one moment did disappear again at the next, yet he knew who was
+concealed behind the curtains of the box, who was witness of his
+triumph.
+
+"Eleonore, that was imprudent!" said Erlau, also retreating from the
+balustrade. "You leaned too far forward. You were seen."
+
+The young wife made no reply; she stood erect, both hands grasping
+the back of the seat from which she had risen in perfect
+self-forgetfulness. The large eyes, full of tears, were still directed
+unabashed to the stage where Reinhold just then came forward again to
+thank the audience, that cheering excited crowd, for whom he was the
+sole centre of attraction. All the thousand eyes were fixed upon him
+alone; all these lips and hands announced his victory, and while
+wreaths and branches of laurel fell at his feet, his name, as if
+carried aloft by one surging wave, resounded back in a thousand echoes.
+
+                           *   *   *   *   *
+
+At the ---- Embassy a large _soirée_ took place, the first
+entertainment of its kind for the season. A numerous assembly of guests
+moved through the magnificent apartments of the ambassadorial hotel.
+Trains swept and uniforms flashed in the rooms beaming with light and
+scented with the perfume of flowers; near charming ladies' faces and
+distinguished wearers of orders might be seen many grave, noteworthy
+figures in simple civilian's dress, and amongst all these well-known
+forms and names, many foreign ones were mixed, who, according to their
+appearance and title, claimed more or less attention, to lose
+themselves again in the throng of guests.
+
+Reinhold and Captain Almbach were also amongst those invited; the
+former was, as usual, the object of flattery and compliments from all
+sides, although demonstrated rather less noisily than so lately in the
+theatre. Reinhold had for long been considered one of the greatest
+celebrities in society. His new opera made him quite the lion of the
+season, and nowhere could he show himself without being surrounded and
+congratulated by every one present.
+
+The charming representative of his work, Signora Biancona, shared this
+universal attention with him. Unfortunately, this time it was
+impossible to express the admiration of both at the same time, as they
+seemed rather to avoid than seek each other. Observant lookers-on
+declared that some slight rupture must have occurred between them, as
+they had arrived separately and never once drew together. Nevertheless
+the actress was continually surrounded with admiration, due, probably,
+in no small degree to her beauty. Beatrice understood perfectly how to
+"drape" herself for the drawing-room as well as for the stage, and if
+her toilette generally displayed something fantastic, it harmonised so
+peculiarly with her style of appearance that she only appeared the more
+fascinating. The singer preferred black, like many of her country
+women, and had selected it again to-day, but the dress composed of
+velvet, satin and lace was still most extravagantly magnificent, and
+rich jewels glistened on the dark ground. Single crimson flowers,
+apparently scattered carelessly here and there in her hair, seemed to
+fasten the black lace veil, and with these the Italian's dark
+complexion and burning flash of her eyes, formed a whole, which if
+intended to create an effect, certainly attained this result in the
+highest degree.
+
+"Ah, Herr Almbach, so I find you here?" asked Lord Elton, who, glad to
+find any one with whom he could speak English, came up to Captain
+Almbach. "I wanted to see you for several days. Your brother's new
+opera----"
+
+"For mercy's sake, my Lord, do not talk about that!" interrupted Hugo,
+with a gesture of horror, "since the day of its performance I have been
+nearly plagued to death with my brother's opera; everybody feels in
+duty bound to congratulate me too. How often have I wished for a
+revolution, an earthquake, or at least a slight outbreak of Vesuvius,
+so that at least something else may be talked of in society."
+
+Lord Elton shook his head half-laughingly, half-disapprovingly. "Herr
+Almbach, you should not speak so recklessly, if a stranger heard you he
+might misunderstand you."
+
+"Oh, I have amused myself several times by getting rid of some of his
+worst admirers by such expressions of my sentiments," said Hugo, quite
+unconcerned. "I do not feel obliged to offer myself upon the altar of
+my brother's popularity by listening to their speeches. How Reinhold
+can endure this triumph so long, I cannot conceive. Artist natures must
+be very peculiarly organised in this respect; my sailor's nerves would
+have given way long since."
+
+Lord Elton seemed to enjoy the Captain's humour again to-day; he
+remained steadily at his side, and was a silent, but yet very attentive
+listener to all the remarks which Hugo as usual poured forth
+mercilessly upon every known and unknown person.
+
+"If I only knew why Marchese Tortoni suddenly makes such a comet-like
+course through the room," mocked he; "that door seems to be the magnet
+which attracts him irresistibly--ah! yes, now indeed I can understand
+this move."
+
+The last words sounded so unmistakably angry, that Lord Elton also
+looked attentively at the entrance. There appeared Consul Erlau with
+Ella on his arm. Marchese Tortoni was immediately at her side, and all
+three passed through the doorway. The lady wore an apparently simple
+white costume, but one could see that Erlau liked to display himself as
+a millionaire, even so far as his adopted daughter was concerned. The
+white lace dress, which floated so lightly around Ella's delicate
+figure, far surpassed in costliness most of those heavy velvet and
+satin robes which rustled through the room, and the row of pearls which
+adorned her neck was of such enormous value, that many of the sparkling
+jewels were as nothing beside it. Her fair head merely wore its natural
+ornament; no diamond, not even a flower, decorated the rich blonde
+plaits, whose faint golden glimmer harmonised so wondrously well with
+the delicate pink colour of her complexion. That figure required no
+studied artifice of the toilet to prove itself beautiful, it was so
+without any such aid, and if the ladies' glances soon discovered what
+cost was concealed under this seemingly simple costume, the gentlemen
+had no less keen eyes for the poetry of the apparition which sailed
+past them.
+
+The three had arrived in the middle of the room, when, by chance, one
+of the groups in whose midst Reinhold had been, suddenly broke up, and
+he himself appeared standing almost immediately opposite to his wife.
+It was not the first encounter of this kind between the husband and
+wife, and they must always be prepared for the possibility of meeting
+on such occasions. And so Ella seemed to be; only for a moment did her
+arm tremble on that of her companion, and a fleeting colour came and
+went in her cheeks; then, however, the large eyes swept calmly on, and
+she turned to the Marchese, who was telling her the names of some of
+the persons present. Reinhold, on the contrary, stood as powerless as
+if he had forgotten everything around him. Although his wife's present,
+appearance was no longer strange to him, yet she looked quite different
+by the dim lamp-light of the garden room at Villa Fiorina, in the
+gloomy, rainy light of the verandah on that stormy day, and in the
+half-dark background of the opera box. He had never seen her as
+to-night, in the dazzling flood of light in the saloon, in the airy
+pale dress; and, despite the place and surroundings, it came wafted to
+him, as a recollection of that dream-like morning hour at Mirando, when
+the sea broke so deeply blue beneath the castle terrace, and the scent
+of flowers arose from the gardens, while the white figure leaned
+against the marble parapet--certainly her face was turned from him
+then, but now it was turned to another. At the sight of Cesario, who
+still maintained his place by her side, dream and recollection
+vanished; before Reinhold rose his brother's words which had robbed him
+of all peace almost ever since that conversation. "Perhaps for
+another," resounded in his heart. An ardent, threatening glance fell
+upon Cesario; returning to the circle he had barely left, he withdrew
+with a violent movement from the Marchese's greeting and address.
+
+The latter looked at him astounded. He had not the remotest idea of the
+cause of this sudden avoidance, but he suspected for long already, that
+more than enmity only, as he had imagined, lay between Reinhold and
+Erlau. It had not escaped him that some secret connection had taken
+place between Ella and his friend, and to-day's encounter confirmed
+this notion only too strongly. Cesario was too proud to take refuge in
+espionage like Beatrice, and so he endured an uncertainty, whose
+explanation he had as yet no right to require of Ella or the Consul,
+and which Reinhold would not explain to him.
+
+The German merchant was almost a stranger in the gathering, yet his
+companion's appearance soon began to create a sensation. Erlau had, to
+be sure, knitted his brows at the unexpected sight of Reinhold, but
+when he perceived that Ella remained apparently quite calm, the meeting
+rather gave him satisfaction. The Consul was evidently very proud of
+his adopted daughter, and noted the admiring glances and whispered
+remarks which followed her everywhere. He told himself that her former
+husband must see these glances, must hear these remarks, and with a
+scarcely concealed triumphant expression he walked on past the groups.
+
+The throng of guests moving up and down, and the numerous reception
+rooms, made it easy for those to avoid each other who did not wish to
+meet.
+
+About a quarter of an hour after Erlau's arrival, Captain Almbach drew
+near to greet him.
+
+"Are you here, Herr Captain Almbach?" asked the Consul, astonished.
+
+Hugo made a slightly ironical bow. "I have the honour. Does it
+displease you so much?"
+
+"Certainly not! You know I am always pleased to see you; but out of our
+own house one only meets you in your brother's company. It appears
+impossible to go anywhere in society without running up against Signor
+Rinaldo."
+
+"He is intimate with the master of the house," explained Hugo.
+
+"Naturally," growled the Consul. "I should like to find one circle that
+does not adore him, and in which he does not reign. I could not refuse
+our Ambassador's invitation, and wished, too, to show my poor Eleonore
+something more than merely a sick-room. Have you spoken to her?"
+
+"Of course," said Captain Almbach, looking across the room where Ella
+was standing engaged in conversation with the Marchese, Lord Elton, and
+some ladies; "that is to say as much as Marchese Tortoni made it
+possible for me to do so. He claims the lion's share of the
+conversation. I retire modestly."
+
+"Yes, my dear Herr Captain, you must accustom yourself to that,"
+laughed Erlau. "In society Ella is seldom at liberty to converse with
+one alone. I wish you could see her do the honours of my drawing-room.
+Here, we are almost entire strangers, otherwise I assure you Marchese
+Tortoni and Lord Elton would not be the only ones who would annoy you
+in this way."
+
+Ella in the meanwhile had finished her conversation, and left the group
+with a slight bow, in order to return to her adopted father. As the
+Marchese, much to his displeasure, was detained by one of the ladies,
+Ella was crossing the room quite alone, when suddenly, in the middle of
+it, a dark velvet dress pushed past her so closely and rudely that it
+seemed as if done on purpose. Looking up, she perceived close to her
+the beautiful but, at this moment, alarming countenance of Signora
+Biancona.
+
+Ella betrayed neither fear nor confusion, she took her lace dress up
+slowly, and moved slightly aside. There lay on her part a quiet, but
+very determined protest against any contact in this movement, and
+Beatrice seemed to understand it only too well, still she came even
+nearer. Ella felt a hot breath close to her cheek, and heard the
+whispered words--
+
+"Signora, I beg for a moment's audience!"
+
+Ella answered with a look of astonishment and indignation. "You--of
+me?" asked she, equally low, but with an unmistakable intonation.
+
+"I beg for a few moments," repeated Beatrice, "you will grant me them,
+Signora?"
+
+"No!"
+
+"No?" said the Italian's voice, in hardly concealed scorn. "Then you
+fear me so much that you dare not be alone with me even for a short
+time?"
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER VI.
+
+
+Signora Biancona appeared to have touched the right chord. The bare
+possibility of such an idea broke down Ella's opposition. "I will hear
+you," replied she, quickly, "but where?"
+
+"In the little verandah at the right of the gallery. We shall be alone
+there; I will go first, you need only follow me."
+
+With an almost imperceptible motion, Ella bowed her head. The few words
+had been exchanged so rapidly and softly, that no one had overheard a
+syllable, no one even noticed the close vicinity of the two ladies,
+who, at that moment, were only surrounded by strangers; therefore, none
+remarked it when Signora Biancona immediately afterwards disappeared
+from the room, and Ella a few minutes later followed her example.
+
+The gallery, adorned with statues and paintings, next to the
+reception-room was almost empty. Only few guests had sought the cooler
+apartment, at the end of which a glass door led into a half-open
+verandah, which by day probably offered an extensive view over the
+surrounding gardens, but tonight had been included in the entertaining
+rooms, as it also had been decorated with flowering and foliage plants,
+and if not so brilliantly lighted as the saloons, yet was sufficiently
+so; at any rate it was quite empty, and the half-hidden room, lying
+somewhat apart, which was unknown to most of the guests, offered the
+possibility of an undisturbed conversation.
+
+Beatrice was already there when Ella's lace dress rustled through the
+doorway, but the young wife remained very close to it, without
+advancing even a single step beyond. With just the same unbending,
+proud bearing which she had shown at the first meeting in the
+_locanda_, did she now await the commencement of this half-compulsory
+interview. The Italian's eyes hung with a truly devouring expression on
+the white figure which stood opposite to her, flooded with the light of
+the lamps, and whose beauty moved her to the bitterest hatred.
+
+"Signora Eleonore Almbach!" began she at last, "I regret having to
+explain to you that your _incognito_ is already betrayed. For the
+present only to me, but I do not believe that it can be long
+maintained."
+
+"And upon whom would it fall?" asked Ella quietly. "I did not spare
+myself when I assumed this _incognito_.
+
+"Whom then? Perhaps Rinaldo?"
+
+"I do not know Signor Rinaldo."
+
+The words sounded so icily positive, that it was impossible to
+entertain any doubt as to what she meant to express, and Beatrice was
+silenced for a moment by them. It was quite beyond her to understand
+the pride which could not even forgive a Rinaldo for a breach of faith
+once made.
+
+"Indeed, I was not prepared for this denial," replied she. "If
+Rinaldo--"
+
+"You wished to speak to me," interrupted Ella, "and I promised to
+listen to you. That the decision has cost me something, I need hardly
+explain to you; at least I did not expect to hear this name from you,
+nor do I wish it. Let our conversation be as short as possible. What
+have you to say to me?"
+
+"Above all, I have to beg you to employ a different tone in our
+interview," said Beatrice, with irritation. "You are speaking to
+Beatrice Biancona, whose name is surely known to you in other ways than
+merely through our personal connection with one another, and who may
+indeed endure hatred and enmity on the part of an opponent, but not the
+contempt you are pleased to express."
+
+Ella remained perfectly unmoved at this demand. She stepped a little
+aside, under cover of the tall foliage plants, so that she might not be
+seen from the gallery, and then turned again to the speaker.
+
+"I did not seek this interview. It was you, Signora, who to some extent
+forced me to it, therefore you must allow me to preserve the tone which
+I deem to be suitable towards you; none other is at my disposal."
+
+A glance of wild, deadly hatred shot out of Beatrice's eyes, but she
+felt that if she now gave way to her passion, it would rob her of all
+power, and prepare her antagonist a new triumph. She therefore crossed
+her arms, and replied with annihilating scorn--
+
+"You make me do severe penance, Signora Almbach, for having been the
+conqueror in a struggle whose prize was your husband's love."
+
+"You are mistaken," responded Ella, coldly. "I _never_ struggle for any
+man's love. I leave that to women who first gain such a prize with
+difficulty, and then must ever tremble lest they lose it."
+
+The last words seemed to have touched a sore spot. Beatrice paled.
+
+"Certainly you had a right to claim him on the strength of the bridal
+altar," said she, still retaining the former contemptuous tone. "Only,
+alas, even this talisman does not protect one from the misfortune of
+being forsaken."
+
+Now it was she who aimed mercilessly for a wound which she herself had
+made, but the arrow glanced harmlessly back. Ella drew herself up erect
+and proud--
+
+"Certainly not from the pain of such a fate, but at any rate from its
+shame. For the forsaken wife there remain the interest, the sympathy of
+the whole world; for the forsaken lover--only contempt."
+
+"Only that?" said Beatrice grimly. "You mistake, Signora; one other
+thing remains for her--revenge!"
+
+"Is that intended for a threat to me?" asked Ella. "Whoever challenges
+your revenge, may seek to protect herself against it; I am free from
+it."
+
+"Of course, you came from the north where passion is not known, as we
+understand the word," cried the Italian. "With you prejudices, duties,
+the world's opinion, stand for ever and ever in the front--a woman's
+_love_ only comes in the second rank."
+
+"Certainly in the second rank." Ella's tone was now one of unconcealed
+scorn. "In the first stands woman's honour; we are accustomed to place
+it unconditionally and everywhere in front--a prejudice certainly from
+which Signora Biancona has long since emancipated herself."
+
+Ella did not know the rival whom she irritated, otherwise she would not
+perhaps have ventured to let the pride of the deeply injured wife speak
+in so crushing a manner; the effect was an appalling one.
+
+It was as if all at once a demon sprang up in the Italian, as if her
+whole being really shot forth "death and destruction," so flashed her
+dark eyes; a half smothered cry of fury broke from her lips, and
+forgetting everything around her, she took one or two steps forward.
+
+Ella shrank back at this more than threatening movement--
+
+"What does that mean, Signora?" said she firmly. "Violence perhaps? You
+forget where we are. I see that I was wrong to accede to this
+interview, it is high time to end it."
+
+Beatrice appeared to recover her senses to some extent; at least she
+stood still, although the unnatural expression of her eyes had not
+faded; convulsively her hand crushed the black lace veil which fell
+over her shoulders; she did not notice that in doing so one of the red
+flowers detached itself from her hair, and fell to the ground.
+
+"You shall learn to repent these words--this hour, Signora," hissed she
+through her clenched teeth. "You do not know revenge? Very well, I know
+it, and shall know how to show it to you and him."
+
+She swept away and left the young wife alone behind, who could not
+bring herself to re-enter the drawing-room immediately after this
+scene, and encounter Erlau's anxious enquiries. Drawing a long breath,
+she sat down on one of the seats, and rested her head on her hand. This
+wild hatred and threat of vengeance did shake her, but it showed her
+the truth also, through all veils. Only the successful rival is
+hated, only what is lost is avenged, or at least what is given up for
+lost--the infatuation was at an end.
+
+But whom did these threatening words concern? Reinhold? The wife paled;
+she herself had offered a firm bold front to the menace; but at this
+thought a breath as of trembling fear passed through her soul, and as
+if in half unconscious pain she pressed her hand to her bosom and
+whispered--
+
+"Oh, my God, that cannot be. She loves him surely."
+
+"Eleonore!" said a voice quite close to her.
+
+Ella started up. She recognised the voice at the first sound, even
+before she saw the figure, which stood on the other side of the
+doorway, as though it did not dare to pass. Reinhold seemed to gain
+courage when he saw no repelling movement, and entered completely.
+
+"What is it?" asked he uneasily, "I find you alone here in this distant
+room, and just now I saw another come from it and hurry through the
+gallery. You spoke--"
+
+"To Signora Biancona," added Ella, as he stopped.
+
+"Did she insult you?" cried Reinhold irately. "I know her look, which
+betokened no good. I almost suspected it when I saw her disappear so
+suddenly from the drawing-room, and you were to be seen no more. I came
+too late, as it appears. Did she insult you, Ella?"
+
+His young wife rose, and made a movement as if to leave--
+
+"If she had done so, you understand surely that your protection would
+be the last which I should claim."
+
+She tried to pass him, and reach the door. Reinhold made no attempt to
+detain her, but his glance rested upon her with such sad reproach, that
+she stopped involuntarily.
+
+"Eleonore," said he softly, "one more question before you go--only one.
+You were at my opera--why deny it? I saw you, as you saw me. What urged
+you to go?"
+
+Ella lowered her eyes, as if it were a fault of which she was accused,
+and a treacherous warmth flowed over her brow and cheeks, as she
+hesitatingly replied--
+
+"I wanted to become acquainted with the composer, Rinaldo, in his
+works."
+
+"And now that you have become acquainted with him?"
+
+"Do you wish for my judgment upon your new creation? The world says it
+is a masterwork."
+
+"It was a confession," said he with strong emphasis. "I did not,
+indeed, imagine that you would hear it, but as it was so--did you
+understand it?"
+
+His wife was silent.
+
+"I only saw your eyes for one moment," continued he passionately, "but
+I saw that tears stood in them. Did you understand me, Ella?"
+
+"I comprehended that the author of such tones could not endure the
+narrow circle of my parent's house," replied Ella firmly, "and that
+perhaps he chose the best for himself when he broke through it and
+plunged into a life full of warmth and passion, such as his music
+paints. You have sacrificed everything to your genius--I bear you
+testimony that this genius was worthy of the sacrifice."
+
+The last words sounded intensely bitter; they seemed to have touched
+the same chord in Reinhold.
+
+"You do not know how cruel you are," said he in a like tone, "or rather
+you know it only too well, and make me suffer tenfold for every pang I
+once caused you. What indeed is it to you, if I rise or succumb in a
+life which the world deems unequalled happiness, which I often, so
+often already, would have given away for a single hour of rest and
+peace! What is it to you, if your husband, the father of your child, be
+devoured with wild longing for reconciliation with a past which he
+could never quite tear out of his heart, if at last he despairs of
+everything and of himself! He has merited his fate; therefore the rod
+was broken over him, and the elevated, virtuous pride of his wife
+denies him every word of reconciliation, denies him even the sight of
+his child--"
+
+"For Heaven's sake, Reinhold, control yourself," interrupted Ella
+anxiously. "We are not alone here--if a stranger heard us!"
+
+He laughed bitterly--
+
+"Well, then he would hear the great crime, that the husband has for
+once dared to speak to his wife. And if all the world learn it, I care
+no longer upon whom the discovery, whom the condemnation falls. Ella
+you must remain," interrupted he beside himself, as he saw she wished
+to depart. "For once I must ease my breast of what I have carried about
+with me for months, and as you are at other times so inaccessible to
+me, you must listen to me now and here. You must I say."
+
+He seized her arm, so as to detain her by force; but at the same moment
+Marchese Tortoni appeared at the door, and stepped almost furiously
+between them.
+
+Reinhold let his wife's arm go, and drew back. Cesario's appearance
+showed him that the latter must have been present at least during the
+last scene; with dark brow and a grave look the Marchese placed himself
+at once by Ella's side.
+
+"May I offer you my arm, Signora?" said he, very positively. "Your
+uncle is uneasy at your absence. You will allow me to accompany you to
+him."
+
+Reinhold had already mastered his astonishment, but not his excitement.
+The interruption at such a moment irritated him to excess, and the
+sight of Cesario at his wife's side robbed him completely of his
+self-control.
+
+"I request that you will withdraw, Cesario," said he violently and
+dictatorially, with that superiority which he had always employed
+towards his young friend and admirer, but he forgot that he no longer
+held the foremost place with the latter. The Marchese's eyes flashed
+with indignation, as he replied--
+
+"The tone of your request is as singular, Rinaldo, as the request
+itself; you will therefore understand if I do not accede to it. I
+certainly did not understand the German words which you exchanged with
+Signora Erlau, but yet I saw that she was to be compelled to stay when
+she wished to go. I fear she requires protection--pray command me,
+Signora!"
+
+"You will protect her from _me_?" cried Reinhold, becoming excited. "I
+forbid _you_ to approach this lady!"
+
+"You appear to forget that it is not Signora Biancona in this case,"
+said the Marchese, cuttingly. "You may have a right there to forbid or
+allow, but here--"
+
+"I have it here more than any other."
+
+"You lie."
+
+"Cesario! You will answer for this to me," cried Reinhold angrily.
+
+"As you please," replied the Marchese, equally violently.
+
+Ella had up to this time tried in vain to interrupt the sentences which
+were exchanged rapidly between the wildly excited men; they did not
+listen to her, but the last words, whose meaning she understood only
+too well, showed her the whole extent of the danger of this unhappy
+meeting. With quick decision she stepped between them, and said with a
+determination which commanded attention even at this moment--
+
+"Marchese Tortoni, do not proceed any farther! It is a
+misunderstanding."
+
+Cesario turned at once to her. "Pardon, Signora! We forgot your
+presence;" said he more calmly. "But you overlook the fact that in
+Signor Rinaldo's words there lies an insult to you, which I am not
+inclined to tolerate. I cannot and shall not retract my words, unless
+you were to convince me that he is right."
+
+Ella struggled with herself in agonising indecision. Reinhold stood
+silent and gloomy; she saw that he would not speak now, that with this
+silence he wished to compel her, either to deny or acknowledge him as
+her husband; but to deny him, meant in this case to call forth the
+worst consequences. The insult had taken place, and with the two men's
+characters, a fatal meeting was inevitable. If it were not withdrawn,
+no choice remained to the wife.
+
+"Signor Rinaldo goes too far when he still claims rights which he once
+possessed," replied she at last. "But no insult lay in his words, he
+spoke--of his wife!"
+
+Reinhold breathed more freely--at last she confessed it before Cesario.
+The latter stood as if struck by lightning. Often as he had sought for
+a solution of the enigma, he had never expected one such as this.
+
+"Of his wife!" repeated he almost stupified.
+
+"We have been separated for years," said Ella voicelessly.
+
+This explanation restored the Marchese's steadiness. He immediately
+guessed the cause of the separation; did he not know Beatrice Biancona?
+The one name made all clear to him, and left no doubt as to whose side
+the fault lay on now. The Captain was right in his conjecture; the
+discovery, instead of frightening Cesario away, rather made him break
+forth in passionate partizanship for the beloved and injured wife.
+
+"Well then, Signora," said he quickly, "it only rests with you, whether
+you will recognise a claim, which Rinaldo founds upon a past, which
+exists no longer, and which he himself surely destroyed. You alone have
+to decide whether I may still approach you, if in future I may dedicate
+a feeling to you, which I confess openly is now more than the cold
+admiration of a stranger, and which one day you must accept or refuse."
+
+He spoke with all the ardour of a long suppressed emotion, but also
+with the noble, immovable confidence of a man, to whom the beloved one
+is elevated above all doubt, and the language was sufficiently plain;
+it pressed urgently for a decision, from which the wife shrank back
+tremblingly.
+
+"Yes, indeed Eleonore, you must decide," said Reinhold, now taking up
+the word. His voice all at once sounded unnaturally calm, but the
+glance which hung openly on his wife with an expression as if in the
+next moment the fiat of life or death should fall from her lips, showed
+better how it was with him. For one second's duration both their eyes
+met, and Ella could have been no woman had she not now seen that the
+most perfect, annihilating revenge lay in her hand. One single "Yes"
+from her lips would avenge all that she had suffered. Slowly she turned
+to Cesario.
+
+"Marchese Tortoni--I beg you to desist--I still consider myself bound."
+
+A short portentous pause followed the words. Ella saw what a struggle
+between pain and pride of the man, who would not show how deeply he had
+been struck, went forward in the young Italian's beautiful features;
+she saw him bow to her, without speaking a word, and turn to go; but
+courage failed her to cast a glance to the other side.
+
+"Cesario!" cried Reinhold, going a step towards him as if in rising
+repentance. "We are friends."
+
+"We _were_ so," replied the Marchese, coldly. "You surely comprehend,
+Rinaldo, that this hour separates us. My accusation against you I
+must certainly retract! your wife's explanation exonerates you from
+it--farewell, Signora."
+
+He left the husband and wife alone. Neither spoke during the next few
+minutes. Ella bent low over one of the perfumed flowers, and a few
+tears fell upon the broad shining leaves. Then her name was borne to
+her ear by a trembling breath--she seemed not to hear it.
+
+"Eleonore!" repeated Reinhold.
+
+She raised her eyes to him. Intense pain still rested on her face, but
+her voice sounded under perfect control again.
+
+"What have I said then? That I shall never make use of the freedom
+which your step gave me? That was certain from the first; without this
+the experience of my marriage protects me from any second one. I have
+my child, and in it the object and happiness of my life. I require no
+other love."
+
+"You, certainly not," said Reinhold, with quivering lip, "and my doom
+is indifferent to you--you have always loved your child only, and never
+me. For his sake you could break through all the prejudices of your
+bringing up and become another woman; you could not do it for your
+husband."
+
+"Did he then ever give me such love as I found in my child?" asked
+Ella, in a very low voice. "Let it be, Reinhold! You know who stands
+between us, and will ever stand."
+
+"Beatrice? I will not accuse her, although she was more to blame for my
+departure then than you perhaps believe. Yet, I was always master of my
+will--why did I yield to the fascination? But if I have now recognised
+its deception, and tear myself away--"
+
+"Will you forsake her, as you forsook me?" interrupted his wife, in
+reproachful condemnation. "Do you think that _that_ could reconcile us?
+I have lost all belief in you, Reinhold, and it will not be restored to
+me, even if you sacrifice a second person now. I have no cause for
+sparing or considering this Biancona, but she loves you; she offered up
+all for you, and you yourself gave her an undisputed right of
+possession for years. If even you would now destroy the fetters you
+forged for yourself she would still part us for ever. It is too late; I
+_cannot_ trust you any more."
+
+Immeasurable sadness rang in the last words, but at the same time
+unbending firmness. In the next moment Ella had left the room. Reinhold
+was alone.
+
+                           *   *   *   *   *
+
+It was on the day following this entertainment, already towards
+evening, when Captain Almbach entered Reinhold's drawing-room.
+
+"Is my brother still not visible?" asked he of the servant who met him.
+
+The latter shrugged his shoulders, and pointed across to the locked
+door of the study.
+
+"You know, Signor, that we dare not disturb him. Signor Rinaldo has
+locked himself in."
+
+"Since this morning!" murmured Captain Almbach; "that begins, indeed,
+to be alarming. I must absolutely find out what has happened."
+
+He went to the study door, and knocked in such a manner that it could
+not be unheard.
+
+"Reinhold, open the door! It is I."
+
+No answer came from within.
+
+"Reinhold, twice to-day have I demanded admittance to you in vain. If
+you do not open the door now, I shall think some misfortune has
+happened, and burst it open in a minute."
+
+The threat seemed to have some effect. Steps were heard inside the
+room; the bolt was pushed back, and Reinhold, standing before his
+brother who entered quickly, said impatiently--
+
+"Why this disturbance? Can I never be alone?"
+
+"Never!" said Hugo, reproachfully. "Since this morning you have been
+inaccessible to everybody--even to me; and your face shows that you are
+more fitted to bear anything than being alone. That unfortunate
+_soirée_ last night; Heaven knows what befel you all! Ella suddenly
+disappeared from the room, and I am convinced you spoke together.
+Marchese Tortoni, who also became invisible, returned with a
+countenance as if he had received his verdict of death, and left the
+party the next moment. I find you in the gallery in a state of
+excitement beyond description, and Donna Beatrice looked like the last
+judgment day, as she entered her carriage. I bet that she alone has
+caused all the mischief. What is the matter between you?"
+
+Reinhold folded his arms, and looked gloomily at the ground. "Nothing
+more now--we are separated from henceforward."
+
+Captain Almbach stepped back in intense surprise. "What does it mean?
+You accompanied her."
+
+"Yes, she knew how to manage that, and so at last it came to a decision
+between us."
+
+"You have broken with her?" asked Hugo.
+
+"I--no," replied Reinhold, with a bitter expression; "it was told me
+plainly enough that I might sacrifice no 'second.' It was Beatrice who
+brought the rupture violently about. Why must she force me to an
+interview so immediately after it had become clear to me what I had
+lost for her sake? She called me to account for my thoughts and
+feelings, and I told her the truth which she demanded--mercilessly
+perhaps, but if I was cruel, she challenged me to it ten times over."
+
+"I can imagine it, from what I know of Biancona," said Hugo, in an
+under tone.
+
+"From what you know of her?" repeated his brother. "Do not believe it!
+Did I not only really learn to know her last evening? It was a scene; I
+tell you, Hugo, even you, with all your energy, would not have been
+equal to her. One must have something of a fiend in one's nature to
+resist such a woman. That hour put its seal upon our separation."
+
+The words were full of gloomy moodiness, but betrayed no relief, no
+removal of any weight. Captain Almbach shook his head.
+
+"I fear the story will certainly not end there. This Beatrice is not a
+woman to waste away in helpless tears. Be upon your guard, Reinhold!"
+
+"She threatened me with all her vengeance," said Reinhold darkly, "and
+so far as I know her, she will keep to it. Let her then! I do not
+tremble before what I called up myself--with happiness I had parted
+already."
+
+"And if this separation continued irretrievable, do you not believe in
+the possibility of a reconciliation with Ella?" asked Hugo, gravely.
+
+"No, Hugo, that is over. I know that she cannot forget. Not one voice
+in her heart speaks for me now, if it even ever spoke. The cleft
+between us is too wide, too deep; no bridge leads across it now. I have
+given up the last hope."
+
+The brothers' conversation was interrupted at this moment by Jonas, who
+entered hastily.
+
+Reinhold looked up, annoyed that his brother's servant should venture
+to enter his study so unceremoniously, and Hugo had a rebuke ready on
+his lips, when a glance at the sailor's face arrested it.
+
+"What is it, Jonas?" asked he uneasily. "Is it anything important?"
+
+"Herr Captain!"--the sailor's voice had quite lost its usual quiet
+tone, it trembled audibly----"I have just come from Herr Erlau's
+house--you know that I often go there now--the old gentleman is beside
+himself; all the servants are running about--Annunziata cries her eyes
+out, although she really is not to blame for it, and young Frau Erlau
+just now----"
+
+"What has happened?" cried Reinhold, with the dread of presentiment.
+"Some misfortune?"
+
+"The child is gone," said Jonas, desperately; "since this forenoon. If
+they do not find it again, I believe the mother will lose her life."
+
+"Who? Little Reinhold?" enquired Hugo, while his brother stared at the
+messenger of evil, without power over a single word. "How could it
+happen? Was no one there to look after him?"
+
+"He was playing in the garden as usual," related Jonas, "and Annunziata
+with him; she went into the house for a quarter of an hour, as she
+often does. When she returned, the garden door was open, the child
+gone, and not a trace of him to be found. They have roused all the
+neighbourhood, searched all the environs, but no ponds nor pits, where
+the little one could come to grief, are anywhere near, and if he had
+run away, he is big enough, after all, to find his way back again. No
+one can understand the mystery."
+
+The brothers' looks met. In both their eyes stood the same terrible
+thought. The next moment, Reinhold, pale as a corpse, and trembling
+with excitement in all his limbs, seized his hat from the table.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER VII.
+
+
+"I will soon procure the solution," cried Reinhold. "I know where to
+seek it. You go first to Ella, Hugo! I will follow--perhaps with the
+child."
+
+The more thoughtful Hugo caught him quickly by the arm.
+
+"Reinhold, I implore you, do not be too hasty! We do not know the
+particulars so far. The child may have strayed away, and, as it does
+not speak Italian, not have found its way back yet. Perhaps it has
+already been brought home to its mother. What are you going to do?"
+
+"Demand the restoration of my son," cried Reinhold, with fearful
+wildness. "That, then, was the vengeance which this fury had thought
+of. Ella and me--she would strike us both with one single deadly blow!
+but I will succeed in reaching her. Let me alone, Hugo! I must go to
+Beatrice."
+
+"That would be of no use," cried Captain Almbach, whom the expression
+on his brother's face alarmed, and who endeavoured in vain to restrain
+him. "If your suspicion be well founded, she will know, too, how to
+play her part. You will only irritate her more. We must adopt other
+means."
+
+Reinhold broke away by main force. "Leave me alone; if any one can, I
+shall compel her to deliver up my child! If I do not compel her--well,
+a catastrophe must ensue."
+
+He rushed away. Beatrice's house lay rather far from his; yet he
+traversed the distance in less than a quarter of an hour. Usually, he
+required no announcement there; all the doors flew open before him; he
+was wont to be considered as master here. To-day the servant who opened
+the door assured him positively the Signora could not be spoken to by
+any one, not even Signor Rinaldo; she was very ill, and had strictly
+forbidden--
+
+Reinhold did not let the man complete his sentence. He thrust him
+aside, hurried through the ante-room, and tore open the drawing-room
+door. The room was empty, equally so the adjoining boudoir; the doors
+of the remaining rooms stood wide open, nowhere was she whom he sought,
+not a sign of her; she had evidently left the house.
+
+Reinhold saw that he came too late, and in the overwhelming
+consciousness of this discovery, he felt vaguely that Beatrice's flight
+had saved him from a crime. In his present state of mind he would have
+been capable of anything towards the abductor of his child. By calling
+all his strength together, he forced himself to be calm, and returned
+to the servant, who had not dared to follow him, but stood frightened
+and uncertain in the anteroom.
+
+"Signora has gone then--since when?"
+
+The servant hesitated in his reply. The questioner's face appeared to
+betoken no good.
+
+"Marco, you must answer me! You see that I shall not be deterred by any
+excuse; you seek to deceive me, according to the Signora's commands.
+Once more, when did she go, and where?"
+
+Marco was evidently not initiated into the secret, as he was not at all
+prepared for this question. However, he may have listened to part of
+the scene which took place the preceding evening between his mistress
+and Signor Rinaldo, and explained to-day's affair in his own way. It
+was quite in keeping with Beatrice's violent character, that she should
+now have left the town for a few days, if only to render it impossible
+to continue the performance of Rinaldo's opera, and that the latter
+should be beside himself with anger was easily comprehended. It was
+not, indeed, the first disagreement between the two, and all quarrels
+so far had always ended in a reconciliation. With the prospect of such
+a readjustment of affairs, the servant was clever enough not to injure
+himself with the ruling side, and therefore intimated that Signora had
+left the house early this morning, with the distinct order that all
+enquiries were to be replied to "that she was ill." She had driven away
+in her own carriage; where, he did not know.
+
+"And where did she drive to?" asked Reinhold, breathlessly. "Have you
+not heard what address she gave the coachman?"
+
+"I believe--to Maestro Gianelli's house."
+
+"Gianelli! then he, too, is in the plot. Perhaps he may still be
+reached. Marco, so soon as Signora arrives, or any news of her, let me
+know at once! At once! I will pay you with gold for every word. Do not
+forget this!"
+
+With these words, almost thrown at the servant in his flight, Reinhold
+hastened away. Marco looked astounded after him. To-day's scene was
+enacted much more tempestuously than any former ones under similar
+circumstances, and Signor Rinaldo's excitement surpassed anything he
+had seen before. What then had happened? The maestro could not possibly
+have eloped with Biancona? It really almost looked like it.
+
+In Consul Erlau's house naturally intense confusion and excitement
+reigned. Captain Almbach, who had hurried there without delay,
+undertook at once the management of the enquiries which had been
+already set on foot with the greatest energy and caution, but even he
+could not discover anything. In the meanwhile, the one fact was
+clear--that the child had disappeared tracelessly, and so remained. As
+to whether it had left the garden voluntarily, whether it had been
+tempted out, all supposition was at a loss. No one had noticed anything
+unusual, no one had missed the little one until the moment when
+Annunziata returned to fetch him. The poor little Italian was dissolved
+in tears, and yet she was quite blameless in the occurrence, as her
+young mistress herself had called her into the house. The boy was old
+enough not to require constant supervision, and he often played alone
+in the perfectly enclosed place. Hugo had not yet dared to give words
+to the suspicion which he shared with his brother, and which every
+moment became more lively. He had only hinted slightly at an abduction,
+and was at once met with utter incredulity. Robbers in the middle of
+the street, in the most aristocratic quarter--impossible! A misfortune
+was more likely. Once more they began a search, notwithstanding the
+approaching darkness, in the neighbouring gardens and the rest of the
+vicinity.
+
+In the meanwhile, Erlau essayed in vain to pacify his adopted daughter,
+and to point out to her the possibilities and probabilities which still
+might let her hope for a happy termination; Ella did not hear him.
+Silent and deadly pale, without shedding a single tear, she sat by his
+side now, after having taken part for hours in the vain researches,
+which she even to some extent had conducted herself. Although Hugo had
+not alluded to that possibility by a syllable, the mother's thoughts
+took the same direction, and the more inexplicable the child's
+disappearance remained, the more irrepressibly did the recollection of
+her yesterday's encounter force itself upon her, the recollection of
+Beatrice's wild hatred, and burning threats of vengeance; and clear,
+and ever clearer arose the presentiment that this was no case of
+accident or misfortune, but that it was one of crime.
+
+A carriage dashed madly up the street, and stopped before the house.
+Ella, who started at every noise, imagined in every arrival a messenger
+bringing news, flew to the window; she saw her husband descend and
+enter the house. A few minutes later he stood before her.
+
+"Reinhold, where is our child?"
+
+It was a cry of deadly fear and despair, but also a reproach more
+wounding than could be conceived. She demanded her child of him! Was he
+alone to blame that it had been torn from the mother?
+
+"Where is our child?" repeated she, with a vain attempt to read the
+answer in his face.
+
+"In Beatrice's hands," replied Reinhold, firmly. "I came too late to
+rescue it from her; she has fled already with her prey, but at least I
+know her track, Gianelli betrayed it to me; the rogue was cognizant, if
+he were not literally an assistant, but he saw plainly that I was in
+earnest with my threat to shoot him down if he did not tell me the road
+she had taken with the child. They have fled to the mountains in the
+direction towards A----. I shall follow them at once. There is not a
+moment to be lost, only I wished to bring you the information, Ella.
+Farewell!"
+
+Erlau, who had listened to all much shocked, wished now to interpose
+with questions and advice, but Ella gave him no time for it. The
+certainty, fearful as it was, restored her courage; she stood already
+at her husband's side.
+
+"Reinhold, take me with you!" implored she, determinedly.
+
+He made a gesture of refusal. "Impossible Eleonore! It will be a
+journey as for very life, and when I reach the goal, perhaps even a
+struggle between it and death. That were no place for you; I must fight
+it out alone. Either I shall bring you your son back, or you see me now
+for the last time. Be calm! The possibility of his rescue is now in his
+father's hands."
+
+"And the mother shall, in the meanwhile, despair here?" asked his wife,
+passionately. "Take me with you! I am not weak--you know it. You need
+fear no tears or fainting from me when action is required, and I can
+bear all, only not the fearful uncertainty and inactivity, only not the
+anxious waiting for news, which may not arrive for days. I shall
+accompany you!"
+
+"Eleonore, for God's sake!" interposed Erlau, horrified. "What an idea!
+It would be your death."
+
+Reinhold looked at his wife silently for a few seconds, as if he would
+examine how far her strength went.
+
+"Can you be ready in ten minutes?" asked he, quietly. "The carriage
+waits below."
+
+"In half the time."
+
+She hurried into the adjoining room. The Consul wanted to forbid, beg,
+entreat once more, but Reinhold cut him short.
+
+"Leave her alone, as I do," said he, energetically. "We _cannot_ give
+way now to cold consideration. I do not see my brother here, and I have
+not time to seek him. Tell him what has happened, what I have
+discovered. He must take the necessary steps here at once to ensure us
+help, which we may perhaps require, and then follow us. We shall first
+take the direct route to A----. There Hugo will find farther
+information about us."
+
+He turned, without waiting for a reply, to the door, where Ella already
+appeared in hat and cloak. The young wife threw herself, with a short
+tempestuous farewell greeting, on to her adopted father's breast, to
+whose protest she would not listen; then she followed her husband.
+Erlau looked out of the window as Reinhold lifted her into the
+carriage, entered it himself, shut the door, and the horses started off
+in full gallop. This was too much for the shaken nerves of the old
+gentleman, especially after the alarm and excitement of the last few
+hours; almost unconscious, he sank into an arm-chair.
+
+Hardly ten minutes later Hugo entered; he had already heard from one of
+the servants of his brother's sudden arrival and equally sudden
+departure with Ella. At his first hasty questions, Erlau recovered a
+little. He was beside himself at his daughter's decision, still more at
+the independence of her husband, who had borne her away without any
+more ado. Arrival, explanation and departure, all had taken place as in
+a hurricane; this mode of action resembled a regular elopement, and
+what could the poor wife do on such a journey? What might not occur,
+what happen, if they really overtook this dreadful Italian? The Consul
+was nearly in despair at the thought of all the possibilities to which
+his favourite was exposed.
+
+Hugo listened silently to the report, without betraying especial
+surprise or horror. He appeared to have expected something of the sort,
+and when Erlau had ended, laid his hand soothingly on the latter's arm,
+and said quietly, but yet with a slight tremor in his voice--
+
+"Let it be, Herr Consul! The parents are now on their child's track;
+they will, it is to be hoped, find the little one and--each other
+also."
+
+                           *   *   *   *   *
+
+A carriage moved up the steep twisting road of the pass, which led
+through the mountains to A----. Notwithstanding the four powerful
+horses and cheering cries of the driver, it proceeded but slowly. This
+was one of the worst spots in the whole chain of hills. The occupants
+of the carriage, a lady and gentleman, had descended from it, and
+struck into a foot path, which shortened the road almost by half; they
+stood already on the summit, while the conveyance was still some
+considerable distance behind them.
+
+"Rest yourself, Ella!" said the gentleman, as he led the lady into the
+shade of the rocky wall. "The exertion was too much for you; why did
+you insist on leaving the carriage?"
+
+His wife still kept her fixed, comfortless gaze turned to the pass,
+which on the other side descended into the valley, and whose windings
+could be partly overlooked.
+
+"We are a quarter of an hour sooner at the top, at any rate," said she,
+feebly. "I wanted to look out over the road, perhaps even discover the
+carriage."
+
+Reinhold's glance followed the same direction, in which nothing,
+however, could be discerned but the figures of two men, looking like
+peasants, who coming down the hill lustily, sometimes disappeared in
+the turns of the road, soon again to reappear.
+
+"We cannot, indeed, be so near them," said he pacifyingly, "although we
+have flown since last evening. You see, at least, we are on the right
+track. Beatrice has been seen everywhere, and the child beside her. We
+_must_ overtake her."
+
+"And when we do--what then?" asked Ella, listlessly. "Our boy is
+unprotected in her hands. God knows what plans she will pursue with
+him."
+
+Reinhold shook his head--
+
+"Plans? Beatrice never acts upon plans or calculations. The impulse of
+the moment decides everything with her. The thought of revenge has
+suddenly overcome her, and like lightning she has carried it out, like
+lightning fled with her prey. Where? To what end? That is not even
+clear to herself, and for the moment she does not enquire. She wished
+to strike you and me in our most vulnerable point, and she has
+succeeded; more she did not wish."
+
+He spoke with great bitterness, but with most perfect certainty. They
+stood alone at the summit of the pass; the carriage was still far below
+them, and just then disappeared at the last turn of the road. The
+mountains here bore an abrupt, wild character; almost naked the sharp
+rocks rose upwards, now in mighty groups, now wildly split and broken.
+Only aloes could take root in the clefts of the yellow grey stone, and
+here and there a fig tree spread its meagre shade. Yonder, on the other
+side of the valley, a building hung in dizzy height on the mountain's
+wall, a castle or monastery, grey as the rock itself, and barely to be
+distinguished from it at this distance. Lower down at the edge of an
+abyss, a little hill-town had nestled itself, which built in and upon
+the rock seemed almost to form part of it, and its deserted decayed
+appearance harmonised with the loneliness around. Still lower, whirled
+the broad rushing stream, occupying almost the entire width of the
+valley, so that there barely remained space for the road by its side.
+Over the whole scene, however, lay that glowing sunlight of a southern
+autumn day, which is not inferior at all to the power of a northern
+midsummer one; although the sun had long left its noontide height, the
+air was still quivering with heat; sharply and harshly illuminated,
+every single object stood out almost painfully clear to the sight, and
+the heated stones literally burned under the scorching rays to which
+they were incessantly exposed.
+
+"It would be folly to precede the carriage, even only by another step,"
+said Reinhold. "It would overtake us in a moment on the downward route.
+Now we have a view over the whole."
+
+Ella did not contradict him; her countenance bore plainly enough an
+expression of the most extreme physical and mental exhaustion. This
+drive of twenty hours without rest, added to the deadly fear at heart,
+the ever renewed agonising excitement when the track sought for now
+appeared and again was lost--this was too much for the mother's heart,
+and the woman's strength. She sat down on a piece of rock, leaned her
+head silently against the mountain's side, and closed her eyes.
+
+Her husband stood by her and looked down silently at the beautiful pale
+countenance, which in its deadly exhaustion appeared almost alarming.
+The sharp points of the rock buried themselves deeply in her white
+forehead and left red marks there. Reinhold slowly pushed his arm
+between the stone and his wife's fair plaits; she did not seem to feel
+it, and encouraged by it he put his arm quite round her, and attempted
+to give her a better support against his shoulder.
+
+Now Ella started slightly and opened her eyes; she made a movement as
+if she would withdraw from him, but his look disarmed her--this look
+which rested upon her with such painful, anxious tenderness; she saw
+that he did not tremble less for her at this moment than he trembled
+for his child. She let her head sink back again, and remained
+motionless in his arms.
+
+He bent low over her--
+
+"I fear, Eleonore," said he, with an effort, "you have had too much
+confidence in your strength. You will break down."
+
+Ella shook her head denyingly--
+
+"When I have got my boy again--perhaps then. Not before."
+
+"You will recover him," said Reinhold energetically. "How? At what
+cost? I do not certainly yet know; but I know how to master Beatrice
+when the demon is roused in her. Have I not often stood opposed to her
+at times, when perhaps every other person had trembled before her, and
+have known how to enforce my will? Once more, for the last time I shall
+try it, should she and I become the sacrifice."
+
+"You believe in danger, also for yourself?" Ella's voice sounded as if
+full of trembling fear.
+
+"Not if I meet her alone, only if you approach her; promise me that you
+will stay behind at the last station, will not show yourself when we
+arrive. Remember that in the child she has a shield against every
+attack; every means of force on our side, and everything would be lost
+if she were to see you at my side."
+
+"Does she hate me so much?" asked Ella, astonished. "I irritated her,
+it is true, but yet it was you who offended her most deeply."
+
+"I?" repeated Reinhold. "You do not know Beatrice. If I came before her
+penitent, wishful to return, there would be an end of her hatred and
+her revenge. One single oath, that I and my wife are separated and
+remain so, that I have given up all idea of a reunion, she would give
+you back your child without a struggle, without resistance. If I
+_could_ do this, the danger would be over."
+
+Ella's eye sought the ground; she did not dare to look up, as she asked
+almost inaudibly--
+
+"And can you not do it, then?"
+
+His eyes flashed, he let his arm drop from her shoulders, and stepped
+back--
+
+"No, Eleonore, I cannot, and I shall not, as it would be perjury. So
+little as I shall ever return to the bonds which I had felt degraded me
+long before I saw you again, so little shall I give up a hope which is
+more to me than life. Oh, do not draw back so from me! I know I may not
+come near you with sentiments to which I have forfeited the right,
+but you cannot prescribe my feelings to me, and if you did not see
+before--would not see--Beatrice's burning hatred to you, and you alone,
+must show you, how much you are avenged."
+
+Ella made a sudden deprecating motion--"Oh, Reinhold, how can you at
+this moment--"
+
+"It is perhaps the only one in which you do not reject me," interrupted
+Reinhold. "May I not, in the hour when we both tremble for our child's
+life, tell the mother what she has become to me? Even then when I first
+trod Italy's shore, there lay upon me something like a suspicion of
+what I had lost. I could not rejoice over the newly-won freedom the
+artist's career gained at last; and the richer and more brilliant my
+life became externally, the deeper grew that longing for a home which
+yet I had never possessed. You, to be sure, do not know the dull pain
+which will not be still even in the midst of the whirl of passion, in
+the noise of triumph, in the proudest success of one's creations, which
+becomes torture in solitude, from which one must fly, even if only by
+means of intoxication, by the wildest excitement. I believed that it
+was only the longing for my child; then I saw the child again--saw
+you--and I knew what this longing craved for; then began the atonement
+for everything of which I had been guilty towards you."
+
+He spoke quietly, without reproach or bitterness, and the words seemed
+therefore to act all the more powerfully on Ella; she had risen as if
+she would flee from his tone and gaze, and yet could not.
+
+"Spare me, Reinhold!" begged she almost imploringly. "I can feel and
+think of nothing now but my child's danger. When I have the boy safe in
+my arms, then--"
+
+"Well, then?--" asked he in breathless eagerness.
+
+"I shall perhaps not have the courage any longer to pain his father,"
+added Ella, while a flood of tears rushed from her eyes.
+
+Reinhold did not say another word; but he held her hand firmly in his
+own as if he would never loosen it again. At the same moment, the
+carriage appeared on the top of the hill, and the driver stopped to
+give himself and the tired animals a little rest.
+
+Almost simultaneously, the two peasants who had been visible before on
+the road, arrived from the other side. They stared curiously at the
+beautiful pale lady and strange, distinguished-looking gentleman who
+stepped towards them and asked where they came from. They named a place
+which lay at the exit of the valley, some miles distant.
+
+"Have you seen no carriage?" enquired Reinhold.
+
+"Certainly, Signor. A travelling carriage like yours; but they had only
+two horses, you have four."
+
+"Did you see the occupants?" interposed Ella, in a trembling voice. "We
+seek a lady with a child."
+
+"With a little boy?--quite right, Signora. She is a good way before
+you; you must drive sharply if you would overtake her," said the elder
+of the two men while stepping nearer, somewhat alarmed, as the lady
+looked as if about to sink down at the news; but at the same moment her
+companion threw his arm round her, and supported her.
+
+"Courage, Eleonore! We are near the crisis; now we must act."
+
+He lifted her into the carriage, and sprang in after her. The few words
+which he addressed to the driver must have contained some unusual
+promise, as the latter swung his whip sharply across the horses, and
+away they went after the object of their pursuit.
+
+The latter had indeed gained a considerable advantage, and their
+carriage was also driven at a rapid pace. Beatrice was alone in it with
+little Reinhold, who, tired with crying and the restless, fatiguing
+journey, had fallen asleep. The fair, curly little head was pressed
+deeply into the cushions; his hands were twined instinctively around
+the side rests, as if they sought a support against the incessant
+jolting and shaking of the uneven road. The child slept soundly and
+deeply, but Beatrice hardly noticed it just now. She was in that state
+of supreme mental irritation which even puts a limit to the wildest
+passion. She was as if in a heavy, stupid trance, from which only one
+object stands out with fearful distinctness--the recollection of that
+hour when Rinaldo cast himself free from her, when he called her the
+curse and misfortune of his life, and acknowledged to her with proud
+defiance that his love belonged to his wife alone. These words pierced
+the Italian's heart ever again as if with a burning thorn. Whatever she
+had done, however she may have sinned, she had loved this one man with
+all the ardour of her soul--to this one she had been unfailingly true;
+she had considered his love as her right, of which no power on earth
+could deprive her, and now she lost it through the woman whom she
+feared the last of all others--through his wife. His wife and his
+child! They had ever been the dark shadow which menaced this happiness,
+and which now, coming forward out of the gloomy past, took form and
+life in order to destroy it.
+
+Beatrice had hated both, even before she knew them. Did she not know
+best what place they still maintained in Reinhold's remembrance? Had
+she not often enough tried in vain to tear him away from it? There
+must surely be something in the once despised power of sacred
+wedlock; it was victorious at last against the beautiful, charming
+Biancona--against the admired actress; and now made her taste the whole
+agony of being forsaken, to which she had once so indifferently
+condemned another, without asking if that other's heart broke under
+this unmerited fate. The fetters, apparently dissolved, had never quite
+loosed the fugitive; now they encircled him again, and Beatrice felt,
+with desperate certainty, that she had never possessed the place in his
+heart which once more his wife occupied.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER VIII.
+
+
+The passionate woman did indeed not act upon any plan or calculation
+when she seized upon this last extreme means of cooling her revenge.
+Her appearance in the Erlau's garden entirely concerned her hated
+rival. She did not find Ella, but instead found the boy alone, without
+supervision; and the idea, as well as the execution of his abduction,
+were the work of a moment. At first the child willingly followed the
+beautiful stranger, who drew it caressingly towards her, and when he
+commenced to become frightened, and asked to be taken back to his
+mother, it was already too late. Beatrice never thought of the possible
+consequences of her step when she carried her prey away triumphantly;
+she only felt that no stroke from a dagger could hit Ella's heart so
+deeply and certainly as the loss of her child, and that this loss would
+raise an everlasting barrier between the parents. It was this which she
+had wished. But now she must see how to ensure the booty. Gianelli must
+give his hand to aid the flight so hastily undertaken.
+
+Now more than a day's journey lay already between the child and its
+parents; but they must make a halt some time; some time this aimless,
+planless flight must come to an end.
+
+The vengeance had succeeded beyond expectation--what now?
+
+Little Reinhold still slept. Had he only borne his father's features,
+perhaps that had preserved him from all ill; but this golden fair hair,
+this rosy countenance, and those deep blue eyes--just now closed, to be
+sure--all belonged to the mother--the woman whom Beatrice hated as she
+had never yet hated anything in the world, and this likeness was
+ominous to the sleeping child. The burning eyes of his companion rested
+for some minutes fixedly on his face; then she suddenly started as if
+frightened at her own thoughts, tore her gaze away from the boy, and
+turned aside.
+
+Yonder, up above, she beheld the carriage which was following theirs. A
+travelling carriage was very rare on this road, and it came in the same
+direction--came with the greatest speed. Beatrice guessed at once what
+it meant. So her track was already betrayed, and the pursuers were at
+her heels--let them, indeed! She felt herself to be all-powerful so
+long as she had the child in her hands.
+
+Rising quickly, she ordered the coachman to lash the horses to their
+greatest pace. He obeyed, and now commenced a wild race between the two
+carriages. More than once the powerful animals could hardly keep up,
+more than once the drag threatened to break and overturn the occupants.
+None paid any attention to it, and promises of excessive rewards
+spurred the two drivers on to scorn any danger. It was a furious,
+reckless drive; rocks and ravines seemed to fly past on both sides;
+ever higher rose the mountainous wall, the more the road descended;
+ever nearer rushed the river; yet the four-in-hand had undeniably the
+best of it. Both carriages now rolled down the valley, but the space
+between them was diminished every moment--a few hundred yards, and the
+fugitives would be overtaken.
+
+The first vehicle thundered across the bridge which here united the two
+banks. Beyond, it suddenly stopped. Beatrice herself had given the
+order to do so; she saw that now no evasion, no escape was possible,
+she must be prepared for extremities. The carriage stood close to the
+edge of the river, which shot along with intense rapidity. Slowly
+Beatrice opened the door, while with her left hand she grasped little
+Reinhold, whom the mad gallop had awoke, and who gazed affrighted into
+the foaming, raging waves which rushed past close below him. He did not
+know how near his parents were. Now the second carriage had reached the
+bridge, and the moment Ella beheld her child all consideration and
+recollection were at an end. She forgot Reinhold's warning not to show
+herself, to leave the decisive step alone to him; and bent far out of
+the door.
+
+"Reinhold!" resounded across--it was a cry of inexpressible, trembling
+fear. The child cried out as it recognised its mother, and stretched
+both arms to her. Weeping noisily, it tried to go to her: but this
+sight was its ruin. Beatrice had become white as a corpse when she saw
+the husband and wife side by side. Together, then! What should have
+separated had united them, and if in the next moment Reinhold reached
+the fugitive, and tore his son from her, they would be bound together
+for ever, and for the forsaken one there would only remain contempt or
+revenge.
+
+But the choice was already made. A single step, quick as lightning
+towards the stream, decided all. Beatrice had not loosed her hold of
+the child, and with the strength of despair drew it down with her into
+the flood of death.
+
+A scene of indescribable confusion followed this horrible deed. The
+drivers of both carriages had sprung down from their seats and ran
+objectlessly up and down the banks; they did not even attempt to give
+any succour, which was only possible at the sacrifice of their own
+lives. Ella stood on the bridge; she wanted to cast herself in after
+those whom she could not rescue; but better help was at hand. She saw
+the waves splash up high as her dearest disappeared amidst them--saw
+how these waves also closed the next moment over her husband's head.
+Reinhold had thrown himself in immediately after his child, which, in
+the fall, had torn itself away from Beatrice, and now re-appeared at
+some little distance. Moments of agony ensued, in comparison with which
+all previous suffering was but play. For Ella, life and death were
+struggling together in these foaming, hissing waves, with which the two
+bodies fought, the one helpless, almost powerless to resist, the other
+toiling fiercely to the one point which at last he attained. The father
+grasped his child, drew it to himself, and strove to reach the shore
+with him. Now he planted his foot upon the rocky ground, now he seized
+the overhanging rocky points on which to support himself; and now, too,
+the mother regained power and motion. She rushed to both. Slowly
+Reinhold mounted the cliff; his breast heaved with fearful exertion;
+his arms bled, wounded by the sharp stones to which he had held, but
+these arms encircled his boy whom he clasped against his heart for the
+first time for years, and sinking down half-unconsciously, he placed
+the child in its mother's arms.
+
+                           *   *   *   *   *
+
+"Then this is really and irrevocably to be a farewell visit?" asked
+Consul Erlau of Captain Almbach, who sat near him. "Your departure
+comes very suddenly and unexpectedly. What will your brother, what will
+Eleonore, say to it? Both calculated quite positively upon keeping you
+here a few weeks longer."
+
+On Hugo's usually light brow there lay a shadow to-day, and on his
+features a strange, bitter expression, as he replied--
+
+"You will soon reconcile yourselves to the parting. Reinhold will
+not feel my absence in the constant society of wife and child; and
+Ella--" he broke off suddenly. "Consider it as being all for the best,
+Herr Consul. They will both be far too much occupied with each other
+and their newly-recovered happiness to ask after _me_."
+
+"Yes, indeed," rejoined the Consul, "and the greatest loser in this
+reconciliation am I. For years I have looked upon Eleonore as my child,
+have considered her and the little one as my indisputable property; and
+now, all at once, her husband makes good his so-called rights and takes
+them both from me, without my being able to raise any objection to it.
+I do not understand Eleonore, that she has pardoned him so readily."
+
+"Well, it was not done so very readily," said Hugo gravely. "He met
+with resistance enough, and I hardly believe ha would ever have
+overcome it without that catastrophe which finally came to their
+assistance. He bought the reconciliation with his child's rescue. Ella
+would have been no wife and mother if she had turned away from him
+then, when he laid her boy, uninjured, in her arms. That moment atoned
+for all, and you know as well as I that saving the child nearly cost
+the father's life."
+
+"Yes, certainly, he could do nothing more sensible than become
+dangerously ill after the affair," grumbled Erlau, who decidedly seemed
+to be in a very uncharitable mood. "That was enough to call Ella to his
+side at once, from which she was not to be removed again, and he very
+wisely would not let her leave him. One knows all that. Danger and
+fear, care and tenderness without end! You surely do not require me to
+rejoice over this reconciliation? I wish we had left this Italian
+journey alone, then I should have kept my Eleonore, and Herr Reinhold
+could have continued his genial, romantic artist's life here. That
+would have been perfectly right for me."
+
+"You are unjust," said Hugo reproachfully.
+
+"And you out of sorts," added Erlau. "I do not understand exactly what
+has happened to you Herr Captain; your brother is out of danger, your
+sister-in-law amiability itself, the little one has attached himself
+most tenderly to you, but your cheerfulness seems quite to have left
+you since everything has been swimming in love and peace around us. You
+play no jokes upon any one, you annoy no one with your teasings and
+nonsense, one hardly ever hears a word of fun from you. I fear
+something has got into your head, or even your heart."
+
+Hugo laughed loudly but somewhat forcedly.
+
+"Why not, indeed! I can no longer bear to remain such a time on shore,
+and give up the sea. This inactivity of months wearies me. Thank God,
+it is coming to an end at last. Early to-morrow I depart, and in a few
+more days I shall be out on the waves again."
+
+"And then we all fly apart quite prettily to every point of the
+compass," said the Consul, who still could not get the better of his
+irritation. "You sail to the West Indies, your brother and Eleonore
+will also leave; I go back to H----, a most pleasant solitude which
+awaits me there at home! Herr Reinhold certainly was gracious enough to
+promise me that I should see his wife and child from time to time. From
+time to time! As if that could satisfy me, after having had her about
+me every moment for years. Of course, now the husband and father must
+decide about it! I am convinced he will never let her leave him for a
+week; he is just as overwhelming in his tenderness as he once was in
+his carelessness."
+
+It almost seemed as if the subject of the conversation were painful to
+Captain Almbach, as he broke it off quickly by rising and taking leave
+of the Consul heartily, but yet rather curtly and hastily. Erlau
+evidently saw him go with regret, as however great was the prejudice
+which he entertained against Reinhold, he was as decidedly prepossessed
+in Hugo's favour, and if the latter had been the repentant prodigal,
+the Consul would have regarded the reconciliation with a much more
+favourable eye than he did now where every feeling of justice was lost
+in the pain of the impending separation from his favourite. It only
+slightly consoled the old gentleman that he took his restored health
+home with him; his house appeared very desolate to him now, and he
+sighed deeply as the door closed after his guest.
+
+Hugo, in the meantime, returned to his brother's abode which he still
+shared. His room, in consequence of the preparations for his departure,
+was in the greatest disorder already. He had ordered Jonas to pack up,
+and put all ready for the early morning, and the sailor had partly
+obeyed these directions, as the boxes stood open on the floor, and the
+travelling requisites lay about on the table and chairs.
+
+But there seemed to be no talk of packing at present, as Jonas sat
+quite calmly on the lid of the large travelling chest, and near him
+little Annunziata, whom he had probably called to help him in this
+difficult business. The conversation between them, notwithstanding the
+young Italian's very defective knowledge of German, was in full course,
+and Jonas had also placed his arm, unabashed, round her waist, and was
+just in the act of stealing a kiss from her, which did not seem to be
+the first, and most likely would not have been the last, if Hugo's
+appearance had not put an end to any farther confidential arrangements.
+
+The couple started up, alarmed at the unexpected opening of the door.
+Annunziata recovered herself first. She fled with a slight exclamation
+past Captain Almbach into the ante-room, where she disappeared and left
+the explanation of the situation to her companion. Jonas however,
+transfixed from fright, and stiff as a statue, stood without moving,
+looking at his master, who now entered completely and shut the door
+behind him.
+
+"Do you call that packing the boxes?" asked he. "Then you have gone so
+far happily with your exercise of pity?"
+
+Jonas sighed deeply--
+
+"Yes, Herr Captain, I am so far," replied he, resignedly.
+
+The confession was made with such comical humiliation, that Hugo had
+difficulty to suppress a smile; still he said with a grave face--
+
+"Jonas, I never thought to experience such things in you. It is only
+lucky that you are a man of principles, which will not allow you to let
+such follies become serious. Principles before everything! Our
+'Ellida,' lies ready to sail; to-morrow we start for the harbour, and
+when we return from the West Indies, you will have driven this love
+story out of your head, and Annunziata in the meanwhile will have taken
+another--"
+
+"She will leave that alone," cried Jonas furiously. "I will kill her
+and myself too if she does anything of the kind."
+
+"Will you not extend the killing to me also?" asked Hugo coolly. "You
+seem to be quite in the humour for it. You have gone so far as kissing,
+that is certain. I have actually witnessed with my own eyes how seaman
+William Jonas, of the 'Ellida,' has kissed a woman, and I should have
+thought that with this fact, enough to set one's hair on end, all would
+have stopped."
+
+"Preserve us," said Jonas, defiantly. "That is only the beginning--then
+comes the marrying."
+
+"Will you marry too?" asked Captain Almbach, in a tone of most intense
+indignation. "You will marry a woman? But consider, Jonas, that women
+are to blame for everything, that all mischief in the world originated
+with them, that a man only has peace and quiet when far from them,
+that--"
+
+"Herr Captain," replied the sailor, who contrary to all respect,
+interrupted his master in the middle of his speech, as he heard his own
+words from the other's lips--
+
+"Herr Captain, I was an idiot."
+
+"Oh! your Annunziata seems to have inspired you with much
+self-knowledge already, and that is the more admirable as language in
+your conversation plays a very inferior part. Your chosen one speaks
+German thoroughly badly, and you have not caught much more Italian than
+merely her name. To be sure I saw just now how capitally you managed to
+help yourselves. Your conjugation of '_amare_,' if not quite
+grammatical, was extremely comprehensible."
+
+"Yes, indeed, we know how to help ourselves," said Jonas, full of
+self-consciousness. "We understand each other however always, and on
+the main point we understand each other at once. I like her, she will
+have me, and we shall marry each other."
+
+"And so it ends!" finished Hugo. "And how about our departure, amid
+these suitable arrangements?"
+
+"I shall still go to the West Indies, Herr Captain," answered Jonas
+eagerly. "We cannot marry in quite so head-over-heel a fashion, and my
+bride will meanwhile remain with young Frau Almbach, who has promised
+to take care of her. When I return, however, Annunziata thinks my
+seafaring must end. She thinks when she takes a husband that he must
+stay with her also, and not sail about for years on all kinds of seas.
+We could set up a little public house in some place, where I should not
+be so far from the ocean, and should always meet with my comrades,
+Annunziata thinks."
+
+"Your Annunziata seems to think a great deal," remarked Captain
+Almbach, "and you naturally submit like a converted woman-hater and
+obedient bridegroom to this opinion of your 'future.' Then on this
+voyage, the 'Ellida' is to have the honour of counting you amongst her
+crew? Afterwards she must look out for another sailor and I for another
+servant?"
+
+"Yes, afterwards," said Jonas, somewhat shamefacedly. "If--if you do
+not also--Herr Captain--you had better marry too."
+
+"Don't come to me with your proposals!" cried Hugo, jumping up angrily.
+"I should have thought it would be sufficient at present, that you come
+under petticoat-government. Now, pack my boxes and take leave of your
+Annunziata! As we start very early tomorrow, I--have also still to take
+leave."
+
+The last words sounded so peculiarly forced, that Jonas looked up
+astonished. He knew that it was not his master's wont to let farewells
+in any place be hard for him, and yet he fancied that this one made
+Hugo's heart right heavy. Fortunately the sailor was in similar plight;
+therefore he did not trouble much about it, but set to work to pack,
+while Hugo went across to the rooms which his sister-in-law inhabited
+now. He stood motionless for a few moments before the closed door, as
+if he did not dare to enter; then all at once, as if with sudden
+determination, he put his hand on the latch and opened it.
+
+Ella sat at her writing table. She was alone, and in the act of closing
+a letter she had just concluded, when her brother-in-law entered, and
+came quickly to her.
+
+"Have you announced your return to Germany?" asked he, pointing to the
+letter. "Herr Consul Erlau will make all H---- rebellious with his
+despair at being obliged to return without you and the little one."
+
+Ella laid her pen aside and rose. "I am sorry that uncle should feel
+our parting so much," replied she; "I have already tried my utmost to
+procure a substitute, and by letter begged one of his relations to take
+my place in his house now that other duties call me. His wish for us to
+accompany him to H----, and for us to live with him for a time, I could
+not agree to on Reinhold's account. We have once already given society
+there cause to busy themselves about us; if we return now, there would
+be no end to the painful curiosity and interest, and Reinhold still so
+much needs consideration. He cannot bear the slightest allusion to the
+past as yet, without exciting himself dangerously. We must certainly
+seek another quieter residence."
+
+"At all events, it is fortunate that you have decided him to return to
+Germany at all," said Hugo; "he has been estranged from home long
+enough, both as regards his life and his musical labours. It is time
+that he should at last take root in his fatherland."
+
+Ella smiled. "You preach that to me and him daily, and yourself long
+restlessly to go far away? Confess it now, Hugo, you can hardly wait
+for the day of your departure, and it is difficult enough for you to
+endure the few weeks you still have with us."
+
+"The difficulty is removed already," said Hugo, with feigned unconcern,
+"I leave tomorrow."
+
+"To-morrow?" cried Ella, half-astonished, half-alarmed. "But you
+promised, though, to remain until our departure."
+
+Captain Almbach bent low over the papers and writing materials on the
+table, as if searching for something amongst them.
+
+"Things have changed since then, and I have received news from the
+'Ellida' which calls me away at once. You know that with us sailors
+that sort of thing often happens quickly and unexpectedly. I was just
+going to tell you and Reinhold of it, and bid you farewell at the same
+time, as I must start early in the morning."
+
+He had poured it all out hastily, without looking up. Ella's eyes were
+fixed gravely and searchingly upon his face.
+
+"Hugo, that is an excuse," said she, decidedly; "you have received no
+news, at least, none so urgent. What has occurred? Why will you go?"
+
+"You interrogate me like a criminal judge," said Hugo, jokingly, with
+an attempt to regain the old cheerful tone. "Be prudent, Ella! you have
+to deal with a confirmed sinner, who will indeed confess nothing."
+
+"Yes; I see that something has happened to drive you away," said Ella,
+uneasily, "and for long I have known that something has come between us
+which estranges you from Reinhold and me more every day. Be candid,
+Hugo. What have you against us? Why will you forsake us now?"
+
+She had gone closer to him, and laid her hand upon his arm
+beseechingly, but perfectly unembarrassed. Captain Almbach's
+countenance was intensely pale, as he looked silently on the ground; at
+last he slowly raised his eyes.
+
+"Because I can bear it no longer," he broke out with sudden violence;
+"I have urged your reconciliation with Reinhold so long, and now that
+it has taken place, and I must look on at it daily, hourly--now only I
+feel how little talent I have for being a saint or for platonic
+friendship. I must go away if I do not wish to be ruined. My God, Ella,
+do not look at me as if an abyss were opened out before you! Have you
+really had no conception, then, of the state of mind I am in, and what
+these last weeks at your side have cost me?"
+
+Ella had shrunk back at these last words, her pallor and the expression
+of deadly fear in her face gave an answer, even before she opened her
+lips to reply.
+
+"No, Hugo, I had no conception of it," replied she, in a trembling
+voice. "When we first met, I felt myself obliged to repel a fleeting
+fancy. That it could ever be serious with you, I never deemed
+possible."
+
+"Nor I either," said Hugo, glumly. "At the beginning, I too, believed I
+could laugh and scoff away this feeling--scoff it away like all others;
+and now it has become earnest, such bitter earnest, that I was on the
+high road to learn to hate my brother, to loathe the whole world, until
+the latter part of my time here became a hell--perhaps it will be
+better out on the sea, perhaps not either. But go I must, the sooner
+the better."
+
+Something so wild, so passionate lay in those words, and Hugo's whole
+manner betrayed so plainly the difficulty with which he had suppressed
+his internal agony, that Ella found no courage for a harsh reply. She
+turned silently away. After a few moments Captain Almbach again came to
+her side.
+
+"Do not turn from me, Ella, as from a criminal!" said he, with
+returning gentleness. "I am going, perhaps never to return, and the
+hour of my confession is also that of my farewell. I might, indeed,
+have spared you it, should not have made your heart heavy too with what
+oppresses mine. God knows I had the honest intention of being silent,
+and bear it until I had departed; but after all, one is but mortal, and
+when you begged me to remain, and looked so kindly at me, there was an
+end of my self-control. Reinhold himself prophesied that I should some
+day meet those eyes which would put a stop to all scoffing, all
+thoughtlessness. The only misfortune was, that I must find them in his
+wife. If this were not so, I had better have bid adieu to all freedom
+and independence for these eyes' sake, have become a quiet, steady
+married man, and have denied my whole nature; but it would have been a
+pity for old Hugo Almbach after all--therefore, probably Heaven raised
+an obstacle, and said 'No.'"
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER IX.
+
+
+Captain Almbach tried in vain to speak in his old scoffing way; to-day
+it would not come to his aid. His lips quivered, and his words sounded
+like the bitterest irony. Ella saw how deeply the wound had eaten into
+the man whom in this respect she had considered invulnerable.
+
+"You should have gone long since, Hugo," said she, in gentle reproach,
+"now it is too late to spare you the pain; but if a sister's love--"
+
+"For God's sake, refrain from that," interrupted he impetuously. "Only
+none of that respect, friendship, and all the fine things with which
+ideal people console themselves in like cases, and which kill an
+ordinary man, when his throbbing heart is expected to satisfy itself
+with them. I know, indeed, that you have always looked upon me as a
+brother, that your heart has always and ever clung to Reinhold, even
+then, when he betrayed and forsook you; but I cannot bear to hear it
+now from your lips. Of course it serves me right. Why did I become
+untrue to her, my beautiful blue bride of the ocean, to whom now only I
+belong? She makes me atone for ever having thought of forsaking her for
+another, and yet it always seemed to me as if I gazed into her blue
+depths when I looked into Ella's eyes." He threw his head back with a
+half-defiant motion. "And to me those, eyes unveiled themselves first,
+then, when my brother never suspected what riches he called his own. I
+knew better than he what the woman was whom he gave up for a Biancona's
+sake, and in despite of that he bears away the prize for which I could
+have given everything. Such demon-like, artistic natures always conquer
+one of us who have nothing to oppose excepting a warm heart and ardent,
+bounteous love. Reinhold takes back what never, even for a moment,
+ceased to be his own property, and I--go; so we are all provided for."
+
+An immeasurable bitterness lay in these words, which betrayed only too
+well that his love for his brother could no longer resist a passion
+which appeared to have changed Hugo's entire nature. He made a movement
+as if to leave the room. Ella held him back.
+
+"No, Hugo, you shall not go thus," said she, firmly. "Not with this
+bitterness against Reinhold and me in your heart. Our happiness has
+already had to be rebuilt on the ruins of a stranger's life; it would
+be too dearly paid for if it were to cost us our brother also. We
+should never, never get over it if we knew you were unhappy far
+away--unhappy through us."
+
+She had raised her eyes to him beseechingly and sadly. Captain Almbach
+looked down upon the young wife with a singular mixture of anger and
+tenderness.
+
+"Do not trouble about me," replied he, with emotion, "I do not belong
+to those men who at once yield themselves up to despair because they
+must tear themselves away from that on which their whole heart now
+hangs, and if in the wrench, a piece of the heart goes too, well, he
+can bear it still as it is. I shall bear it; whether I shall overcome
+it is a different question. When Reinhold is quite recovered again,
+tell him what has driven me away from being near him and you. I do not
+wish to stand before my brother as a hypocrite, and I should have
+confessed it to him myself long since, only that I still dreaded the
+excitement for him of such an acknowledgment; he has become only much
+too irritable on every point which concerns you. Tell him that Hugo
+_could_ not stay--not one hour longer--and that he had given you his
+word not to return again until he could appear before his brother's
+wife as he ought."
+
+The hand, which was extended to her in farewell, grasped hers with a
+convulsive pressure, when the door opened, and little Reinhold rushed
+in, flying to his uncle with childish eagerness--
+
+"Uncle Hugo, you are going away?" cried he breathlessly. "Jonas has
+packed his boxes, and says you will leave to-morrow morning. Uncle
+Hugo, you shall not; you must stay with us."
+
+Captain Almbach lifted up the boy, and pressed his lips with passionate
+violence upon the child's--
+
+"Take that kiss to your mother," whispered he in a half-smothered
+voice. "She will surely dare to take it from your lips. Farewell my
+child. Farewell, Ella!"
+
+"Mamma," said little Reinhold, as he looked astonished after his
+uncle--who had put him down so hastily and then left the room--"Mamma,
+what is the matter with Uncle Hugo? He cried actually, as he kissed
+me."
+
+Ella drew the child nearer to her, and now her lips also touched the
+child's forehead, which was still damp, as if from two tears having
+fallen upon it.
+
+"It grieves your uncle to leave us," answered she, softly. "But he must
+go--God grant that he may return to us one day."
+
+                           *   *   *   *   *
+
+The course of time had altered but little in the old seaport and
+commercial town of H----. It looked just the same as ten years ago,
+when the Italian Opera Company gave its first performances there. The
+older portion of the town lay just as gloomy and full of corners, the
+newer as aristocratic and quiet as in those days. In the streets and by
+the harbour the old busy life and activity still reigned, and now, on a
+spring evening, the old damp, foggy atmosphere lay again upon the town
+and its environs.
+
+In the Erlau's house, unusual excitement prevailed. The extensive
+establishment usually conducted with such superior quiet and
+punctuality, to-day seemed to be quite out of gear. There was incessant
+running to and fro; the whole suite of rooms was thrown open and
+illuminated; the servants were in gala livery, and were called first to
+one place, and then to another with different orders. The carriage had
+been despatched more than an hour ago to the railway station, and just
+now the relative who superintended the Consul's household, an elderly
+lady, entered the drawing-room, accompanied by Dr. Welding.
+
+"I assure you, Herr Doctor, one can do nothing with my cousin,"
+complained she, as she sat down in an arm chair with a countenance
+expressive of exhaustion. "He disturbs the whole house, and drives all
+the servants into confusion with his orders and arrangements. Nothing
+is festive and brilliant enough for him. Of course I rejoice to see my
+dear Eleonore again, and to become personally acquainted with her
+celebrated husband; but the Consul has made me so nervous already with
+his excitement that I only wish the reception ceremonies were over."
+
+"But this is the first time he welcomes his adopted daughter to his
+house again," said Welding. The Doctor was barely altered in the long
+lapse of time, he merely looked a little older. It was still the same
+sharp, intelligently-cut face, the penetrating glance, and tone of
+irony peculiar to him in his voice, with which he now continued: "Herr
+Reinhold Almbach appears most decidedly to maintain the superiority of
+his influence over his wife compared with that of the Consul. You know
+he has actually managed that Erlau should always go to them in the
+'capital,' and we were not allowed, not withstanding all promises, to
+see Frau Eleonore until her husband determined to accompany her here.
+He cannot spare her for a single week it appears!"
+
+"No, certainly not," cried the lady excitedly. "You should only hear my
+cousin relate all about it; he who was at first so prejudiced against
+Reinhold, is now quite reconciled to him and Eleonore's happiness.
+Between them reigns a love so pure and clear, so firm and strong, and
+yet surrounded by such a fairy-like, poetic halo, that it almost sounds
+like a legend in our time, so wanting in happiness and love!"
+
+The Doctor inclined himself ironically. "Perfectly right, dear Madam. I
+see with pleasure what appreciative attention you bestow on my
+articles. Exactly the same sentiment appeared in No. 12 of the morning
+paper, in a review of the _libretto_ of Reinhold's newest opera."
+
+"Really? Was it in the morning paper?" asked the lady, somewhat
+confused; she seemed glad that at this moment the Consul entered the
+room, who, without perceiving the Doctor, in his joyous excitement
+hastened towards her at once.
+
+"My dear cousin, I have been seeking for you everywhere. The carriage
+may return from the station any moment, and we had agreed to receive
+the dear guests together. Has the red boudoir been sufficiently
+lighted, as I ordered? Is Henry downstairs in the vestibule with the
+other servants? Have you--"
+
+"Cousin, you make me nervous with your incessant inquiries," cried the
+lady, in a rather irritated tone. "Is it then, the first time you have
+confided the arrangements of an entertainment to me? I have twice
+already assured you that everything is ordered according to your
+wishes."
+
+"That is not enough for to-day," said Welding, joining in the
+conversation. "This time the Consul himself undertakes the part of
+master of the ceremonies, and inspects the whole house, from garret to
+cellar. Woe to him who does not appear before him in gala dress!"
+
+"Scoff away!" laughed the Consul, "I shall not let it spoil the
+pleasure of the meeting, and indeed, I am quite reconciled to you, Herr
+Doctor, since you introduced such a hymn of praise about Reinhold's
+last work in your morning paper."
+
+"Excuse me, I write no hymns of praise," said the Doctor, somewhat
+piqued. "On the contrary, I often experience that my criticisms are
+favoured with much less flattering names by the artists. Lately,
+our great dramatic and heroic tenor, who, as you know, retains his
+high-tragic, stage pathos even in real life, called my verdict on one
+of his principal parts 'the outflow of the blackest malice, which the
+black soul of man had ever produced!' What do you say to that?"
+
+"Well, Reinhold, too, had to endure plenty from your pen," suggested
+Erlau. "Fortunately, he did not see our morning paper in Italy in those
+days, otherwise he would have had to read very unpleasant things about
+the lamentable direction of an undeniably great talent; of unpardonable
+wastefulness of the most precious gifts; of the mistakes of a genius,
+which, capable of the highest, yet was on the road to ruin himself and
+art; and many more such civilities."
+
+"With which you were quite unanimous at the time," added Welding.
+"Certainly, I was an open opponent of Reinhold's. Unconditionally, as I
+ever recognised his great talents, much as I encouraged him in his
+first artistic attempts, I decidedly objected to the line he struck out
+later in Italy. Now it has become quite different. His latest work
+shows an alteration for which one can only wish him and art success. He
+has forced himself through wild fermentation to perfect freedom and
+clearness of artistic composition. His genius seems to have found the
+right course at last; this work stands thoroughly at the height of his
+talent."
+
+"Naturally--and that is alone Eleonore's merit," said Erlau, with
+unshaken confidence, while his cousin listened very devoutly to the
+Doctor's words.
+
+"Does Frau Almbach help her husband to compose?" asked Welding,
+maliciously.
+
+"Leave your malice alone, Herr Doctor! You know quite well what I
+mean," cried the Consul, annoyed. "Now Henry, what is it?" asked he,
+turning to the servant who entered quickly, and announced that the
+carriage was arriving.
+
+"Cousin! for mercy's sake go slower! All the servants are in the hall,"
+cried the old lady, who had prepared to receive the arrivals solemnly
+and with dignity, and was now dragged forward so hastily by the Consul,
+who seized her arm, that the magnificence of her train could not be
+displayed to advantage. Erlau did not listen to her protestations, she
+was obliged to rush to the stairs with him. Dr. Welding, who had come
+by chance, without knowing the hour of the arrival, considered himself
+entitled, as friend of the house, to witness the family scene. He
+therefore remained in the drawing-room while the first speeches of
+reception and welcome were made outside. With great tenderness the
+Consul greeted his adopted daughter and little Reinhold, who, in
+fullest joy, hung on his neck. His cousin, on the contrary, seemed to
+have taken forcible possession of the bigger Reinhold, whom she
+conducted into the drawing-room amid a stream of compliments, while the
+others lingered in the first rooms.
+
+"I rejoice exceedingly to make the acquaintance of my dear Eleonore's
+husband, whom I may surely greet as a relation as well as the renowned
+Rinaldo," assured she, while still in the doorway. "And all H---- will
+be proud once again to see its distinguished townsman within its walls.
+Herr Almbach, we can only wish you and art success in your newest work;
+it stands thoroughly at the height of your talent. Your genius has at
+last--yes, at last--"
+
+"Discovered the right course," suggested Dr. Welding, most amicably, as
+he stood near.
+
+"Discovered the right course," continued the lady, freshly inspired.
+"You have forced your way through wild fermentation to most perfect
+freedom, and to higher spheres."
+
+"Not quite true to the words, but it will do," murmured Welding to
+himself, while Reinhold, somewhat taken aback at this shower-bath of
+æsthetic form of speech, bowed to the lady. Fortunately, the latter now
+saw Ella enter on the Consul's arm, and hastened to embrace her and her
+boy, while the Doctor went towards Reinhold.
+
+"May an old acquaintance recall himself to your recollection, Herr
+Almbach? I am not quite so bold as to receive you at once with
+criticising praise such as you have just experienced, but I do not
+welcome you the less warmly in your home."
+
+"Aunt means it kindly," said Reinhold, half making an excuse for her.
+"It was rather astounding for me at first----" he stopped.
+
+"To be received with one of my reviews," added the Doctor. "Oh, your
+aunt often does me the honour of reproducing my articles, although
+certainly sometimes on rather unsuitable occasions and with her own
+variations, for which I do not undertake the responsibility; for
+instance, with the 'higher spheres' I have usually nothing to do."
+
+Reinhold smiled. "Time has left no marks upon you, Doctor; you still
+preserve your old _role_. Every third word you utter, is one of
+sarcasm."
+
+"Pretty well," said "Welding, shrugging his shoulders, and turning to
+Ella, who greeted the old friend heartily as she stretched out her hand
+to him.
+
+"Well, how do you find our Eleonore?" cried the Consul, triumphantly.
+"Does she not bloom like a rose? And the 'little one' has become so big
+that we must soon seek another designation for him."
+
+Dr. Welding smiled, and this time, as an exception, without any
+maliciousness, while he replied, "Frau Eleonore has remained just like
+herself. That is the best compliment which one can pay her. Certainly,
+dear madam, I am not the last who will rejoice at this meeting, and
+also that the Erlau drawing-rooms, at any rate for the next few weeks,
+will stand again under your sceptre. Between ourselves," he lowered his
+voice, "it becomes sometimes rather serious when your aunt takes the
+lead in conversations on art."
+
+The excitement and pleasure of meeting had made the arrivals only
+retire to rest very late. The morning sun was shining clearly and
+brightly in at the windows, when Ella entered the apartment which had
+been her sitting and work-room during her residence in the Erlau's
+house. It still displayed all the former costly furniture with which
+Erlau had surrounded his favourite. Reinhold was there already; he
+stood at the window, and looked down upon the streets of his native
+town, which he now visited for the first time after nearly ten years'
+absence. It was no longer the young composer who, in obstinate struggle
+with his surroundings and family, destroyed his fetters as well as his
+duties, so as to throw himself into a course which promised him fame
+and love, and which attained both by force; but neither was it the
+Rinaldo, whose wild, social life in Italy, had so often challenged the
+world's condemnation, which appeared to know no other bridle, no other
+law than his own personal will, and to whom the admiration on the part
+of the public and all around him, threatened to become so ruinous.
+There lay nothing more in his manner of haughty overbearing or wounding
+brusqueness, only that quiet self-consciousness was displayed, which
+showed to the advantage of the man as well as of the composer. In his
+eye still flashed some of the old passion, which had formed Rinaldo's
+peculiar element in life as in his works; but the wild, unsteady flame
+which once burned in this glance was extinguished, and what now beamed
+there was better suited to the quiet, rather sombre expression of his
+features. Whatever a wild, surging life might have buried in this
+countenance, it spoke now only of what it had conquered; and the
+dreamy, thoughtful gaze which at this moment was seeking the gable of
+the old house in Canal Street, where it arose plainly from amidst the
+confusion of houses, was quite that of the former Reinhold--of that
+Reinhold who, in the small, narrow garden-house, had sat so often
+before his piano, and called forth those tones which then might only be
+raised in the night if he did not wish to be upbraided for the "useless
+phantasies" which the world now called the outpourings of his genius.
+
+Ella drew near her husband. Her appearance, indeed, justified the
+Consul's declaration, she bloomed like a rose. The last three years had
+robbed this charming figure of none of its grace, but instead had given
+her an expression of happiness in which she had once been wanting.
+
+"Have you received letters so early?" asked she, pointing to two open
+writings which lay on the table.
+
+Reinhold smiled--
+
+"Of course! They were sent after us from the residence, and the sender
+of this letter," he lifted up the one, "you will not guess, I am sure.
+My newest work has brought in one thing at any rate, which is more
+precious to me than all the ovations with which we have been
+overwhelmed--a letter from Cesario. You know how deeply hurt he
+withdrew from us and rendered impossible every attempt on my part at
+approaching him or being reconciled. He could not forgive you for
+having so long been silent towards him, nor me, that I stood in the way
+of his happiness; I have had no sign of his being alive for three
+years, as you know. The first performance of my opera in Italy has
+broken the ice at last; he writes again with the old cordiality and
+enthusiasm, congratulates me upon my new work, which he exalts far
+above its deserts, and announces at the same time his intended marriage
+with the daughter of Princess Orvieto. She will be his wife in a few
+weeks."
+
+Ella had stepped to her husband's side, and over his shoulder read the
+letter which he held in his hand, and in which there was not a single
+word of allusion to her.
+
+"Do you know the bride?" asked she at last.
+
+"Only a little! I saw her once only in her father's house, and merely
+remember her as a pretty lively child. She was educated in a convent,
+and then was paying a short visit in her parents' house. But I know
+that this union, even in those days, was a favourite wish of the
+families on both sides, to which Cesario's dislike to every bond which
+could fetter his future, as to any marriage in fact, was the only
+obstacle. Now, when years have passed, and the young Princess is grown
+up, they appear to have resumed the plan again, and Cesario has given
+way to his relations' pressure. Whether this _marriage de convenance_
+can give what such an ardent romantic nature as his is requires, is
+certainly another question."
+
+Ella looked thoughtfully on the ground--
+
+"You said though, that the bride is young and pretty, and Cesario is
+surely the man to inspire love in such a youthful creature, who is just
+entering life from a convent's education."
+
+"We will hope so," said Reinhold gravely. "The second letter is from
+Hugo, and dated from----"
+
+A slight blush passed over the young wife's countenance, as she asked
+with lively eagerness--
+
+"Well, is he coming at last? May we expect him?"
+
+Reinhold shook his head gently--
+
+"No Ella, our Hugo will not come this time either; we must resign
+ourselves not to see him. Here, read it yourself!"
+
+He handed her the somewhat bulky letter. The first page contained mere
+descriptions of voyages, which were sketched quite in the Captain's
+lively manner, sparkling with fun and humour; only just at the end were
+personal affairs touched upon.
+
+"I have employed my stay in S----" wrote Hugo, "to pay a visit to
+Jonas, who has been settled here over a year with his Annunziata. You
+have fitted out the little one so richly, that they have made quite a
+pretty hotel out of the modest inn they intended to set up, and are
+going on very well indeed. The young woman has learned German at last,
+and is altogether a very charming hostess, but Jonas I have had to take
+regularly to task; it really is appalling how that tiny creature,
+Annunziata, governs this bear of a sailor, according to all the rules
+of art. I have spoken seriously to him; reminded him of his manly
+dignity, prophesied that he will come hopelessly under petticoat
+government, if it continue thus--what did the wretch answer me? 'Yes,
+Herr Captain, but one is so inhumanly happy with it!' So of course
+nothing remained but to leave him to his inhuman happiness and
+petticoat _régime_.
+
+"One more piece of news I have for you, Ella. Yesterday, by chance, I
+took up an Italian newspaper in which I met with the announcement that
+a union between the houses of Tortoni and Orvieto was impending.
+Marchese Cesario will shortly be married to the only daughter of the
+Princess. You see that even an idealist does not die of an unhappy love
+now-a-days; instead, he consoles himself after a year or more with a
+young and probably beautiful woman of princely blood. Only the
+thoughtless one, the adventurer, cannot recover from having looked too
+deeply into a pair of blue eyes. I cannot come, Reinhold, not yet! You
+know the word which I passed to your wife; it still banishes me from
+your threshold. Heaven knows how long I must wander about on the sea
+without seeing you again; but if the recollections do not still weigh
+my heart down as at the beginning, yet they will not leave me. My
+'Ellida,' lies in the harbour ready to sail once more, and to-morrow
+she will fly out afar again with her captain. So farewell, Reinhold!
+Kiss your boy in my name! To Ella I shall surely dare send a greeting,
+as you will give it to her? Perhaps we shall see each other again."
+
+Ella folded the letter up and put it down silently--
+
+"I hoped still that he would return to us this time, at least," said
+she at last--her voice sounded sad.
+
+"I did not expect it," replied Reinhold gravely, "as I know Hugo. Much
+in his character seems to glide off lightly and without traces, and
+perhaps really glides off, but once he has grasped anything with his
+whole soul, then he will not let it go for all his life. He preserves
+his love more truly and better than--I did."
+
+"Did you love me then, when I was entrusted to you?" asked Ella, with
+gentle reproach. "Could you love the woman who did not understand you
+nor herself in those days? We had to be separated first in order to
+recover one another entirely and completely, and nothing would remind
+me of our separation if I did not see that shadow on your brow, ever
+and again, which reawakens the one recollection."
+
+Reinhold passed his hand over his forehead--
+
+"You mean Beatrice's death? I know, indeed, that she prepared her fate
+with her own hand, and yet I cannot always silence the voice which
+accuses me of complicity in the sin of forsaking her, of driving her to
+despair, to madness; she wished to strike us a crushing blow, and
+struck herself."
+
+"And from the waves, which gave her her death, you rescued for me and
+yourself the highest, our child and our love," said his wife softly.
+"See, there comes our Reinhold. Will you show the child this heavily
+clouded brow?"
+
+Little Reinhold put his head in at the door, and when he saw his
+parents in the room sprang completely inside, so rosy and fresh, so
+full of life and fun, that the father's gloom and the mother's
+seriousness could not resist his coaxing and romping. Ella kissed her
+boy's forehead tenderly, while Reinhold drew her and the child to
+himself. They had held him very indissolubly, these fetters, which
+once, in youthful infatuation, he had burst and broken, until he learnt
+to feel yonder in the life so ardently longed for, amidst all the
+dreamed-of treasures, that he had left the best at home; until the
+longing for the past awoke, and forced its way powerfully and
+irresistibly; until he could obtain once more, fighting through sin and
+the horrors of death, that which he himself had thrust from him--his
+wife and child; and in the gaze with which he now looked down upon both
+there stood written plainly and clearly the confession which his lips
+did not speak--that the happiness, so long and restlessly sought for,
+and ever denied him, was found again here at last.
+
+
+
+                                THE END.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Riven Bonds.  Vol. II., by E. Werner
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RIVEN BONDS.  VOL. II. ***
+
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+        https://www.gutenberg.org/3/5/2/8/35284/
+
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+
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+
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diff --git a/35284-8.zip b/35284-8.zip
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@@ -0,0 +1,5570 @@
+<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN">
+<html>
+<head>
+<title>Riven Bonds. A Novel. Vol. II.</title>
+<meta name="Author" content="E. Werner">
+<meta name="Publisher" content="Remington and Company">
+<meta name="Date" content="1877">
+<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1">
+<style type="text/css">
+body  {margin-left:10%;
+       margin-right:10%; background-color:#FFFFFF;}
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+
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+
+<pre>
+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Riven Bonds.  Vol. II., by E. 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: Riven Bonds.  Vol. II.
+       A Novel, in Two Volumes
+
+Author: E. Werner
+
+Translator: Bertha Ness
+
+Release Date: February 14, 2011 [EBook #35284]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RIVEN BONDS.  VOL. II. ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Charles Bowen, from page scans provided by Google Books.
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+<br>
+
+<br>
+
+<br>
+
+<br>
+
+<br>
+
+<p class="hang1">Transcriber's Note:<br>
+
+1. Page scan source: http://books.google.com/books?id=jd4BAAAAQAAJ&amp;dq</p>
+<br>
+
+<br>
+
+<br>
+
+<br>
+
+<br>
+
+<br>
+
+<h1>RIVEN BONDS.</h1>
+<br>
+
+<h3>A Novel,</h3>
+<br>
+
+<br>
+
+<h3>IN TWO VOLUMES.</h3>
+<br>
+
+<br>
+
+<h5>TRANSLATED BY</h5>
+<h3>BERTHA NESS,</h3>
+<br>
+
+<br>
+
+<h3><i>FROM THE ORIGINAL OF E. WERNER</i>,</h3>
+
+<h4><span class="sc">Author of</span> &quot;SUCCESS AND HOW HE WON IT,&quot;<br>
+
+&quot;UNDER A CHARM,&quot; &amp;c.</h4>
+<br>
+
+<br>
+
+<br>
+
+<hr class="W20">
+<h3>VOL. II.</h3>
+<hr class="W20">
+<br>
+
+<br>
+
+<br>
+
+<h3>London:<br>
+
+REMINGTON AND CO.,<br>
+
+<span class="sc2">5, Arundel Street, Strand, W.C.</span></h3>
+<hr class="W10">
+<h3><span class="sc2">1877</span>.</h3>
+<br>
+
+<h5>[<i>All Rights Reserved</i>.]</h5>
+<br>
+
+<br>
+
+<br>
+
+<br>
+
+<br>
+
+<br>
+
+<h1>RIVEN BONDS.</h1>
+<br>
+
+<br>
+
+<br>
+
+<br>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER I.</h2>
+<br>
+
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No!&quot; said Captain Almbach. &quot;That cannot be! I have to make a
+confession to you, Ella, at the risk of your showing me to the door.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What have you to confess to me?&quot; asked the astonished Ella.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Hugo looked down.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That I am still the 'adventurer,' whom you once took so sternly to
+task. It did not improve him certainly, but he never attempted since to
+approach you with his follies, and cannot to-day either. To make my
+tale short, I had no idea you were the inhabitant of this villa, when I
+directed my steps here. I had myself announced to a perfectly strange
+gentleman, because Marchese Tortoni had spoken of a young lady, who
+lived here in complete seclusion, and yes--I knew before hand, that you
+would look at me in this way--&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Her glance had indeed met him sadly and reproachfully; then she turned
+silently away and looked out of the window. A pause ensued--Hugo went
+to her side.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It was chance which brought me here now, Ella. I am waiting for my
+lecture.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You are free, and have no duty to injure,&quot; said the young wife,
+coldly. &quot;Besides, my opinion in such matters can hardly have any
+influence upon you, Herr Captain Almbach.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And so Herr Captain Almbach must retire, to find the doors closed
+against him next time, is it not so?&quot; Unmistakable agitation was heard
+in his voice. &quot;You are very unjust towards me. That I, thinking to find
+perfect strangers here, did undertake an adventure--well, that is
+nothing new to me; but that I was guilty of the boundless folly of
+confessing it to you, although I had the best excuse for deception,
+that is very new, and I was only forced to it by your eyes, which
+looked at me so big and enquiringly, that I became red as a schoolboy,
+and could not go away with a lie. Therefore I hear Herr Captain Almbach
+again, who, thank God, had disappeared from our conversation for the
+last quarter of an hour.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Ella shook her head slightly.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You have spoiled all my pleasure in our meeting now, certainly----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Did it please you? Did it really?&quot; cried Hugo, interrupting her
+eagerly, with sparkling eyes.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Of course,&quot; said she, quietly. &quot;One is always pleased, when far away,
+to find greetings and remembrances from home.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes,&quot; said Hugo, slowly. &quot;I had quite forgotten that we are country
+people also. Then you only recognised the German in me? I must confess
+honestly that my feelings were not so purely patriotic when I saw you
+again.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Notwithstanding the unavoidable disillusion which your discovery
+prepared for you?&quot; asked Ella, somewhat sharply.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Captain Almbach looked at her unabashed for a few seconds.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You make me suffer greatly for the imprudent confession, Ella. Be it
+so! I must bear it. Only one question before I go, or one petition
+rather. May I come again?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She hesitated with her reply; he came a step nearer.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;May I come again? Ella, what have I done to you that you would banish
+me also from your threshold?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">There lay a reproach in the words, which did not fail to make an
+impression upon her.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I do not do so either,&quot; replied she, gently. &quot;If you would seek me
+again, our door shall not be closed to <i>you</i>.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">With quick movement, Hugo caught her hand, and carried it to his lips,
+but those lips rested on it unusually long, much longer than is
+customary in kissing a hand, and Ella appeared to think so, as she drew
+it somewhat hastily away. Equally hastily Captain Almbach drew himself
+up; the slight red tint which had before lain on his forehead was there
+again, and he, who was at other times never at a loss for a civility or
+suitable reply, said now merely monosyllabically--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Thank you. Until we meet again, then!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Until we meet again!&quot; replied Ella, with a confusion that contrasted
+strangely with the calm and decision which she had shown throughout the
+whole interview. It almost seemed as if she repented the permission
+just given, and which still she could not withdraw.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A few minutes later, Captain Almbach found himself in the open air, and
+slowly he began his return to Mirando. He had again carried out his
+will, and fulfilled the promise made so confidently that morning. But
+he seemed little inclined to make much of his triumph. Looking back to
+the villa, he passed his hand across his forehead, like some one
+awaking from a dream.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I believe that the elegiac atmosphere of Mirando has infected me,&quot; he
+muttered, angrily. &quot;I begin to look upon the simplest things from the
+most fantastically, romantic point of view. What is there, then, in
+this meeting that I cannot get over it? The Erlau drawing-rooms have
+been a good school to be sure, and the pupil has learned unexpectedly,
+quickly, and easily. I suspected something of that for long, and
+yet--folly! What is it to me if Reinhold learn at last to repent his
+blindness! And she does not even know how near he is, so near that a
+meeting cannot be avoided much longer. I fear any attempt at
+approaching her would cost Reinhold much dearer than that first one.
+What a singularly icy expression there was in her face when I hinted at
+the possibility of a reconciliation! That;&quot; here Hugo breathed more
+freely, perhaps, in unacknowledged but great satisfaction--&quot;that said,
+No! to all eternity. And if chance or fate lead them together, now, it
+is too late--now <i>he</i> has lost her.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">On the mirror-like blue sea a boat glided, which, coming from S----,
+bore in the direction of Mirando. The bark's elegant exterior showed
+that it was the property of some rich family, and the two rowers wore
+the livery of the Tortonis. Nevertheless, for the gentleman, who
+besides these two was the sole occupant of the boat, neither the rapid
+motion nor the magnificent panorama all around appeared to possess the
+slightest interest. He leant back in his seat, with closed eyes, as if
+asleep, and only looked up at last when the boat lay to at the marble
+steps, which led directly down from the villa's terrace to the sea. He
+stepped out. A sign dismissed the two men, who, like all the Marchese's
+servants, were accustomed to pay to their master's celebrated guest,
+the same respect as to himself. A few strokes of the oars carried the
+boat to one side, and immediately after it was anchored in the little
+harbour away by the park.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Reinhold stepped on to the steps, and ascended them slowly. He came
+from S----, where Beatrice had, in the meantime, arrived. As usual, the
+actress here, also, where all foreigners and inhabitants of position
+assembled for their <i>villegiatura</i>. was surrounded by acquaintances and
+admirers, and Reinhold no sooner found himself at her side than the
+same fate, and, indeed, to a greater extent, became his. In Beatrice's
+vicinity there was no rest and no relaxation for him; she dragged him
+at once into the vortex with her. The hours, which he intended to spend
+with her, had become days, which in excitement and distraction did not
+yield the palm to the last weeks in town, and after having accompanied
+her yester evening to a large fête, which had continued the whole night
+until morning's dawn, he had torn himself away at day-break, and thrown
+himself into the boat in order to return to Mirando.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He drew a deep breath at the quiet and loneliness around him,
+undisturbed even by a word of greeting or welcome. Cesario, as he knew,
+had early this morning undertaken an expedition to the neighbouring
+island, in Hugo's company, from which both were only expected back
+towards evening, and for strangers the villa was not yet accessible.
+The young Marchese did not like to be disturbed in the seclusion of his
+<i>villegiatura</i>. and his steward had received orders not to allow any
+strange visitors to enter during his residence, an order which was
+carried out most strictly, to the great dissatisfaction of travellers,
+by whom Mirando was considered a favourite goal for excursions. The
+estate, with its extensive gardens, and magnificent buildings, which in
+the north would certainly have been called a castle, and here merely
+bore the modest name of a villa, was celebrated far and near, not only
+on account of its paradise-like situation and the boundless view over
+the sea, but also because of the rich art-treasures which it concealed
+inside, and which now merely charmed the eyes of the few who had the
+good fortune of being permitted to call themselves the Marchese's
+guests.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Short of rest, tired, and yet unable to seek repose and sleep, Reinhold
+threw himself on to one of the marble benches in the shade of the
+colonnade; he felt strained to the utmost exhaustion. Yes, these sultry
+Italian nights, with their intoxicating perfume of flowers, and their
+moonlight quiet, or the noisy clamour of a feast, these sunshiny days,
+with the ever-blue sky, and the glowing splendour of the earth's
+colours, they had given him everything of which he had ever dreamed in
+the cold, dreary north; but they had also cost him the best part of his
+life's strength. The time was long since passed when all existence
+appeared to be only one course of glowing intoxication and of inspiring
+dreams to the young composer. This had lasted for months, for years;
+then gradually weariness came on, and at last the awaking, when this
+beautiful world, sparkling with colour, lay so empty and cold before
+him, where the ideals collapsed, and freedom, once so fiercely longed
+for, became an endless desert, to which no duty, but also no desire set
+a limit. With the fetters which he had broken so eagerly and ruthlessly
+he had also lost the reins; he wandered out into the boundless, and the
+boundlessness had become a curse to him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Certainly, the internal Prometheus-like spark preserved the artist from
+the fate which overtook so many others, from that helpless sinking into
+a sensation of being surfeited and indifferent to everything; but the
+same power which ever and ever again forced him out of it, drove him
+helpless hither and thither, seeking the only thing which was wanting,
+and ever would be wanting. Italy in all its beauty was not able to give
+it to him, not Beatrice's glowing love, not art, which had offered him
+the fullest wealth of fame--the phantom melted so soon as he stretched
+out his arms towards it. And even if the wondrous flora of the south
+had displayed itself to him in all its exhilarating glory, still he
+would not have found the blue flower of the fairy legends.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Reinhold started up suddenly from his dreams, something had disturbed
+him in them. Was it a step, a rustle?--he raised himself, and, with
+extreme surprise, saw a lady standing only a few paces distant on the
+terrace, gazing out over the sea. What could it mean? How did this
+stranger come here, now when Mirando was not accessible to visitors;
+she could only a few minutes since have passed through the open door
+leading into the saloon, which contained the celebrated collection of
+pictures, belonging to the villa, and appeared to have remarked the
+solitary dreamer in the colonnade as little as he had remarked her.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Reinhold had long since become indifferent to woman's beauty, but
+involuntarily this apparition enchained him. She stood under the shadow
+of one of the gigantic vases which ornamented the terrace; only the
+bowed head was caught by the full sunlight, and the heavy blonde plaits
+gleamed in the rays like spun gold. Her face was half averted. Her
+delicate, clear and nobly chiselled profile could hardly be seen. Her
+slight figure in its airy white robes leaned lightly in an undeniably
+graceful attitude against the marble balustrade; her left hand rested
+on it, while the drooping right one held her straw hat decorated with
+flowers. She stood immovable, quite lost in contemplation of the sea,
+and had evidently no idea that she was observed.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It was still early in the day. The morning had risen bright and clear
+out of the sea, and now lay smiling sunnily in dewy freshness over the
+whole country. A blue mist still encircled the mountains and the
+distant coasts, whose lines seemed to tremble as if blown with a breath
+on the horizon, and the still moist air was quivering as if with a
+silvery light. There was something fairy-like in this morning hour and
+this surrounding, above all in yonder white figure with the golden
+glimmering hair, and Mirando itself, with its white marble pillars and
+terraces, appeared like a fairy castle, which had risen out of the
+liquid depths. Deep blue was the arching sky above, and deep blue the
+sea laving its feet. The scent of flowers was wafted hither from the
+gardens, but ghostly silence reigned everywhere, as if all life were
+banished or sunk in sleep. No sound anywhere, nothing but the gentle
+splashing of the sea, ever the same dream-like murmur of the waves,
+which kissed the marble steps, and before one nothing to be seen save
+the blue, heaving expanse, which extended far away into boundless
+distance.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Reinhold remained motionless in his position, he would not disturb the
+charm of this moment by any movement. It was as if a breath of the old
+legendary poems of his home were wafted to him, long forgotten but
+rising now suddenly before him with all their melancholy charms.
+Suddenly this deep calm was interrupted by the clear joyfulness of a
+child's voice. A boy of about seven or eight rushed up the steps of the
+terrace, a large shining mussel shell in his hand, which he had picked
+up somewhere on the shore. The child was evidently most delighted with
+his discovery, his whole little face beamed, as, with glowing cheeks
+and streaming locks, he hastened towards the lady, who turned her head
+round at his cry.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">With a half suppressed exclamation, Reinhold sprang up and remained as
+if rooted to the ground. The moment she had turned her face completely
+towards him, he recognised the stranger, who bore Ella's features and
+yet could not be Ella. Bewildered, deadly pale, he stared at the lady,
+whose poetical appearance he had just been admiring, and who yet, in
+every feature, resembled his so despised, and at last forsaken wife.
+She, too, had recognised him; the intense pallor which also overspread
+her face, betrayed it, as did her sudden start backwards. She grasped
+the marble balustrade as if seeking for support, but now the boy had
+reached her and, holding the mussel aloft with both hands, cried
+triumphantly--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Mamma! dear mamma, see what I have found!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">This roused Reinhold from his stupor. Bewilderment, fright,
+astonishment, all disappeared as he heard his child's voice. Following
+the impulse of the moment, he rushed forward, and stretched out his
+arms, to draw the boy eagerly to his breast.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Reinhold!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Almbach stopped as if struck; but the name was not for him, only for
+the boy, who, immediately obeying her call, hastened to his mother.
+With a rapid movement she placed both arms around him, as if to protect
+and conceal her child, and then drew herself up. The pallor had not
+left her face yet, her lips still trembled, but her voice sounded firm
+and energetic.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You must not trouble strangers, Reinhold. Come, my child! We will
+go.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Almbach started, and stepped back a pace; the tone was as new to him as
+the whole person of her, whom he once called his wife. Had he not
+recognised her voice, he would have believed more than ever in a
+delusion. The little one, on the contrary, looked up in surprise at the
+rebuke. He had not even gone near to the strange gentleman, and
+certainly had not troubled him, but he saw in his mother's
+colourlessness and excitement that something unusual had occurred, and
+the child's large blue eyes fixed themselves defiantly, almost
+antagonistically upon the stranger, who, he guessed instinctively, was
+the cause of his mother's alarm.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Ella bad already recovered herself. She turned to go, her arm still
+held firmly round her boy's shoulder, but Reinhold now stepped hastily
+in her way--she was obliged to stop.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Will you be so good as to allow us to pass?&quot; said she, coldly and
+distantly. &quot;I beg you to do so.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What does this mean, Ella?&quot; exclaimed Reinhold, now in passionate
+excitement. &quot;You have recognised me, as well as I have you. Why this
+tone between us?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She looked at him; in that glance lay the whole reply; icy-cold,
+annihilating scorn; he had indeed never deemed it possible that Ella's
+eyes could look thus, but he turned his to the ground beneath them.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Will you be so good as to leave us the road free, Signor?&quot; she
+repeated in perfectly pure Italian, as if she imagined that he did not
+understand German. There lay a positive tone of command in the words,
+and Reinhold--obeyed. His self-possession quite lost, he moved aside
+and let her pass. He saw how she descended the steps with the child,
+how a servant below, in strange livery, who seemed to have waited,
+joined them, and how all three hurried through the gardens; but he
+himself still stood above on the terrace and tried to remember whether
+he had been dreaming and the whole had not been merely a picture of his
+imagination.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The noisy locking of the door which led to the picture gallery, brought
+him back to his senses. A few steps took him there, and throwing the
+door open roughly he entered the saloon, where the steward of Mirando
+was just engaged in letting the blinds down again, which he had drawn
+up to give a better light.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Who was the lady with the child, who was just now on the terrace?&quot;
+With this hasty question, Reinhold rushed in upon the man, who seemed
+shocked when he saw his master's guest before him, having believed him
+still to be in S----; he hesitated with his reply in evident confusion.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Pardon me, Signor, I had no idea that you had returned already, and as
+Eccellenza and the Signor Capitano are only expected this evening, I
+ventured----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Who was the lady?&quot; persisted Reinhold, in feverish impatience, without
+paying attention to the answer. &quot;Where did she come from?--quick, I
+must know it!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;From the villa Fiorina,&quot; said the steward half-wonderingly,
+half-frightened at the questioner's eagerness. &quot;The strange lady wished
+to see Mirando, and let her servant apply for her. Eccellenza has
+certainly ordered that no visitors are to be admitted during his
+residence here, but this morning no one was at home, so I thought I
+might make an exception;&quot; he paused, and then added, in a tone of
+entreaty, &quot;It would be sure to cause me great trouble with Eccellenza,
+if Signor Rinaldo were to tell him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I? no,&quot; said Reinhold, absently, &quot;what was the lady's name?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Erlau, if I understood rightly.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Erlau?--oh!&quot; Almbach passed his hand over his forehead; &quot;That is all,
+Mariano, thank you,&quot; said he, and left the saloon.</p>
+
+<hr class="W20">
+
+<p class="normal">The day had become burningly hot, nor did the evening bring coolness or
+refreshment. Air and sea did not appear to be stirred by any breath,
+and the sun went down in hot clouds of mist. In the villa Fiorina also
+they seemed to suffer from the oppression. The inhabitants confined
+themselves probably to the cooler rooms, as the jalousies had not been
+opened the whole day, and the glass doors which led to the terrace
+remained closed. The German family hardly occupied half of the
+capacious dwelling which it had engaged entirely for itself. A
+few rooms to the right of the garden saloon were arranged for the
+Consul--those on the opposite side were inhabited by his adopted
+daughter, with her child; the servants were located in the back
+apartments, and the rest remained empty.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The evening was already far advanced when Ella entered the garden
+saloon, which was illuminated by a lamp. The Consul had retired to
+rest, and she came from her boy, whom, after he had fallen asleep, she
+had left to his attendant's care. Perhaps it was the dim light which
+made her face still appear pale; the colour had not returned to it
+since the morning, even although her features seemed perfectly calm.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She opened the glass door and stepped out on to the terrace. Outside,
+perfect darkness reigned already; no moon's rays pierced the clouds
+which still enveloped the sky, no breath of wind from the sea moved the
+blooming shrubs; sultry and heavy, the air seemed regularly to weigh
+upon the earth, and the sea lay in idle repose, almost motionless. It
+was alarming in this dense stillness and darkness, yet Ella appeared to
+prefer this to remaining in the lighted garden saloon. She stood
+leaning against the stone balustrade, as in the morning, partially
+still in the pale circle of light which fell through the open door on
+to the terrace, and, although indistinctly, displayed the slight form.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A few moments may have passed thus, when she was startled by a noise
+near her. With a low cry, she tried to take refuge in the house, as
+close by her there stood a tall, dark man's figure; at the same moment,
+however, a hand was laid upon her arm, and a suppressed voice said--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Be composed, Ella, it is neither a robber nor a thief who stands
+before you, although you have forced me to choose the path of such an
+one.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The young wife had recognised Reinhold's voice at the first word, but
+she only drew back nearer to the threshold of the glass door.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What do you desire, Signor?&quot; said she coldly, in Italian. &quot;And what
+does this intrusion at such an hour mean?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Reinhold had followed her, but he did not again attempt to touch her
+arm, or even go near her.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Above all, I wish you to have the goodness to speak German to me,&quot;
+retorted he, with difficulty restraining his excitement. &quot;I have not
+quite forgotten our own language, as you seem to suppose. Whence do I
+come? From yonder boat! The terrace, at least is not so inaccessible as
+the doors of your house, which remained closed to me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He pointed towards the sea. It was a risk to ascend the high stone
+terrace from a tossing boat, but Reinhold did not seem to be in a mood
+to think of the possibility of danger. He had apparently been there
+already when she came out, and now continued more excitedly--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is probably not unknown to you that I have been here once already
+this morning. But you refused me, or rather Erlau did, because as a
+matter of course I was not so wanting in tact as to enquire for you. He
+neither received me nor the note, which contained my petition, yet you
+must both have known what brought me here, so nothing but self-help
+remained. You see I have gained admittance after all.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He spoke with keenest bitterness. The proud composer felt the double
+rejection which he had experienced to-day to be a deadly insult. One
+could hear how he struggled with his pride, even now, for every word,
+and it must have been a powerful motive which brought him here,
+notwithstanding all, and by such a path! His wife had clearly no share
+in it, as he stood opposite her in gloomy, unbending defiance. As a
+boy, Reinhold Almbach could never bear to humble himself, not even when
+he knew himself to be wrong, and during the latter years he had too
+often gained the dangerous experience that any error he committed was
+covered by the right of genius, which may permit itself to do almost
+anything.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">While these last words were being spoken, they had entered the garden
+below. In the middle of it Ella stopped.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Signor Rinaldo appears to have mistaken his way, this time,&quot; said she,
+certainly in German, but in the same tone as before. &quot;Yonder in S----,
+lies the villa where Signora Biancona resides, and it can only be a
+mistake which landed his boat at our terrace.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The reproach hit him; Almbach's defiant look sank, and for a few
+moments he was at a loss for a reply.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I do not seek Signora Biancona this time,&quot; replied he at last, &quot;and
+that I am not permitted to seek Eleonore Almbach, she showed me
+sufficiently this morning. It was not my intention to offend you again
+by sight of me; it would have been spared you, had you acceded to my
+written request. I came to see my child alone.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">With a rapid step the young wife reached the bedroom door, and placed
+herself before it. She did not speak a word, but in the evident
+internal emotion there lay such an energetic protest, that Reinhold
+immediately understood her intention.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Will you not allow me to embrace my son?&quot; asked he, angrily.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No,&quot; was the firm reply, given with the most positive determination.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Reinhold was about to fly into a passion; she saw how he clenched his
+fist, but he forced himself to be calm.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I see that I did your late father injustice,&quot; said he, bitterly; &quot;I
+took it to be his work that all news of my boy was withheld from me.
+Did you read my first letter yourself, and leave it unanswered?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And returned the second unopened?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Reinhold's face changed from red to white; mutely he gazed at his wife,
+from whose lips he had never heard an expression of her own will, much
+less any opposition--whom he only knew as humbly and silently obedient,
+and who now dared to refuse with such decision to grant him what he
+considered his own right.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Take care, Ella,&quot; said he, firmly, &quot;whatever may have taken place
+between us, whatever you may have to reproach me with, this tone of
+scorn I will not endure; and above all, I will not tolerate being
+refused the sight of my boy. I will see my child.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The demand sounded almost threatening. The young wife's pale cheeks
+began to colour slightly, but she did not move from her place.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Your child?&quot; asked she, slowly; &quot;the boy belongs to me, me only; you
+lost every right to him when you left him with me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That may still be questioned,&quot; cried Almbach, beginning to wax
+furious. &quot;Are we judicially separated? Has the law given Reinhold to
+you? He remains my son, whatever there may be between you and me; and
+if you refuse me my rights as a father any longer, I shall know how to
+enforce them.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The threat was not without effect, but it quite failed in its purpose.
+Ella drew herself up, and exclaimed with quivering lips, but with great
+energy--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You will not do that; you have not the conscience to do it, and if you
+had, there is, thank God, another power to which I can appeal, and
+which is, perhaps, not quite so indifferent to you as the family bonds
+and duties which you broke so lightly. The world would learn that
+Signor Rinaldo, after he had forsaken his wife and child for years, and
+had not enquired after them, now dares to threaten his wife with the
+same laws which he scorned and spurned with his feet, because she does
+not choose that her boy should call him father; and all your fame, and
+all the adoration yonder, would not protect you from the merited
+contempt.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Eleonore!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It was a cry of rage which escaped his lips as she uttered the last
+word, and his eyes flashed in terrific wildness down upon the delicate
+form standing before him. Once Reinhold's passion was excited to its
+utmost, it knew no limits, and all around him were wont to tremble.
+Even Beatrice, although so little his inferior in violence, dared not
+at such moments irritate him farther; she knew where the line was
+drawn, and once this was reached she always yielded. Here it was
+different; the first time for years he was stranded by another's will;
+before the eyes which met his own, so clear and large, his defiance
+succumbed altogether--he was silent.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You see yourself that it would be worse than mockery were you to
+resort to law,&quot; said his wife, more calmly.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Reinhold leaned heavily against the seat near which he stood. Was it
+shame or anger made the hand tremble which buried itself in the
+cushion?</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I see that I laboured under a serious mistake when I believed I knew
+the woman who was called my wife for two years,&quot; replied he, in a
+singularly compressed tone. &quot;Had you only once shown yourself to be the
+same Eleonore whom I meet now, much would have remained undone. Who
+taught you this language?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The hour in which you forsook me,&quot; replied she, with annihilating
+coldness, as she turned away.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That hour seems to have given you much more that was once foreign to
+you--the pleasure of revenge, for example.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And the pride, which I never knew, towards you,&quot; completed Ella. &quot;I
+had first to be crushed to the ground, but it awoke and showed me what
+I owed to myself and my child, the only thing you had left to me, the
+only thing that kept me up; for his sake I began again to learn, to
+work, when the time for learning lay far behind me; for his sake I
+roused myself above the prejudices and trammels of my education, and
+gave my life a new direction when my parents' death made me free. I
+must be everything now to the child, as it was everything to me, and I
+had sworn that my child should never be ashamed of its mother, as his
+father was ashamed of her, because externally she was inferior to other
+women.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Almbach's brow was dyed a deeper red at the last words--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It was not my intention to dispute Reinhold with you,&quot; said he
+hastily. &quot;I only wished to see him in your presence if it must be. You
+know only too well what a weapon the child is in your hands, and you
+use it mercilessly against me, Ella.&quot; He came nearer to her and for the
+first time there was something like a tone of entreaty in his voice.
+&quot;Ella, it is our child. This link at least extends out of the past into
+the present, the only one between us which is not broken. Will you
+break it now? Shall the chance which brought us together really remain
+merely chance? It lies in your hands to make it a turning point of fate
+which may perhaps be for the good of us both.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The hint was plain enough, but the young wife drew back, and on her
+countenance again that expression, full of meaning--that &quot;No!&quot; spoke to
+all eternity.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;For us both?&quot; repeated she. &quot;Then you really believe I could find
+happiness by your side, after all you have done to me? Truly Reinhold,
+you must be much impressed with your own value, or my worthlessness,
+that you venture to offer it to me. Certainly, when could you have
+learned respect for me? It was not possible in my parents' house. I was
+brought up in obedience and submission, and I brought both to my
+husband. What was my reward for it? I was the last in his house, and
+the last in his heart. He never thought it worth while to ask if the
+woman, to whom he had bound himself, was really so contracted in mind,
+so incapable of appreciating anything higher, or if she were only
+rendered timid by the oppression of her mode of bringing up, from which
+we both suffered. He rejected my shy attempt to approach him,
+scornfully, woundingly, and let me feel hourly and daily that only the
+merit of being his child's mother gave me any claim upon his endurance.
+And when art and life were opened to him, he cast me aside as a burden,
+which he had borne long enough with dislike; he gave me up to be the
+talk of the world, to scorn, to dishonouring pity; he left me for the
+sake of another, and at this other's side never asked if his wife's
+heart were broken at the death-stroke he had dealt her--and now, you
+think that only one word is needed to undo all this! You think you only
+require to stretch out your hand to draw to yourself again that which
+once you rejected! Do you think it? No; one cannot play so with what is
+holiest upon earth; and if you thought the despised, repulsed Ella
+would obey the first sign by which you signify that you would take her
+back into favour, I tell you now she would rather die with her child,
+than follow you once more. You have set yourself free from your duties
+as husband and father, and we have learnt to do without the husband and
+father. You have shown it, plainly enough, that we are the 'bonds'
+which fettered the wings of your genius--well, now they are broken,
+broken by you, and I give you my word for it, they shall never oppress
+you again. You have your laurels and your--muse; what do you want with
+wife and child also?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She ceased, overcome with excitement, and pressed both hands against
+her stormily heaving bosom. Reinhold had become deadly pale, and yet
+his eyes hung on her as if enchained. The lamp-light fell full upon her
+face and the fair plaits as on that evening when he announced the
+separation so mercilessly. But what had become of that Ella who then
+hung timidly and shyly on his looks, and obediently followed every
+sign, every mood? No one trait of her was to be discovered in the being
+who stood drawn up opposite him, so haughty and proud, and who hurled
+back so energetically upon him the humiliations she had once received.
+They could burn, these blue fairy-tale eyes, burn in glowing
+indignation; he saw this now, but he saw also, for the first time, how
+wondrously beautiful they were, how ravishing the whole appearance of
+the young wife--in the excitement, and amid the anger and rage of the
+highly irritated husband, something flashed out which almost resembled
+admiration.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Is that your final word?&quot; asked he at last, after a pause of some
+seconds.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;My final one!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">With a rapid movement, Reinhold drew himself up. All his antagonism and
+pride broke forth again at this mode of refusal. He went towards the
+door, while Ella remained immovable at her post, but at the threshold
+he stopped once more and turned back.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I did not ask if my wife's heart were broken by the death-stroke which
+I dealt her,&quot; repeated he in a smothered voice; &quot;Did you feel it at all,
+Ella?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She was silent.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I certainly did not believe it then,&quot; continued Reinhold bitterly,
+&quot;and to-day's meeting makes me doubt more than ever that your heart
+suffered from a separation which certainly wounded your pride more
+deeply than I had ever deemed possible. You need not guard the door so
+anxiously; I see, indeed, that I must first dash you aside in order to
+reach the child, and that courage I possess not. You have conquered
+this time; I renounce my purpose of seeing him again. Farewell!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He went. She heard his steps outside on the terrace, then the rustle of
+the shrubs as he pushed his way through them, and at last the stroke of
+the oars, which bore the boat away from the shore. The wife breathed
+more freely, and left the place she had defended so energetically. She
+went to the glass door; perhaps a slight anxiety arose in her as to
+whether the venturesome leap from the terrace would be as successful as
+the ascent to it had been, but in the darkness nothing could be
+distinguished. As before, the sea lay in idle calm. Far above, the
+still, sultry night spread its wings, and flowers bloomed all around,
+but every trace of Reinhold had disappeared.</p>
+<br>
+
+<br>
+
+<br>
+
+<br>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER II.</h2>
+
+
+<p class="normal">The clear balmy spring days were followed by summer's burning glow. The
+gulf and its environs lay day after day illuminated by the sun in all
+their beauty, but also in the almost tropical heat of the south; only
+the sea breeze brought any coolness, so that the sea was the object of
+most excursions which were now undertaken.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">This repose of nature, which had continued for some weeks, was followed
+at last by an outbreak; a thunderstorm raged in the air, and stirred up
+the ocean to its innermost depths. The storm had come up so quickly,
+broken loose so suddenly, that no one had been prepared for it, and it
+had lasted for more than an hour already, with undiminished fury.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A boat shot through the foaming waves, and, apparently overtaken by the
+storm, found itself struggling with the billows. For some time it had
+been in danger of being seized without hope of rescue, and dashed out
+into the open sea, but now with full sails set it flew towards the
+coast, and after a few futile attempts succeeded at last in being
+landed.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That is really racing with the storm for a wager,&quot; cried Hugo Almbach,
+as he, wet through with rain and spray, was the first to spring on
+shore. &quot;For this once we have fortunately escaped the wet embrace of
+the goddess of the sea. We were near enough to her.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It was lucky having such a true sailor with us,&quot; said Marchese
+Tortoni, following him in a not less wet condition. &quot;It was a
+master-work, Signor Capitano, bringing us safely on shore in such a
+storm. We should have been lost without you.&quot; Reinhold lifted the half
+unconscious Signora Biancona, who clung to him, trembling and deadly
+pale, out of the boat. &quot;For heaven's sake, calm yourself, Beatrice! The
+danger is over,&quot; said he impatiently, as the last occupant of the boat,
+the English gentleman, who had been present at Hugo's former
+<i>incognito</i> discussion with Maestro Gianelli, also gained <i>terra
+firma</i>.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In the meanwhile, Jonas poured forth all his contempt upon the two
+sailors to whom the guidance had originally been entrusted, and who
+fortunately did not understand the terms of praise addressed to them in
+German.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;They call themselves sailors, they want to manage a ship, and when a
+paltry storm comes on, they lose their heads and cry to their saints.
+If my Herr Captain had not seized the rudder out of your hands, and I
+taken the sails upon myself, we should now be lying below with the
+sharks. I should like you to experience such a storm as our 'Ellida'
+underwent before we ran in here, then you would know what a little
+blowing on your gulf means.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The little blowing would have been looked upon by any one else than the
+sailor as a regular stiff storm. At all events it had endangered the
+lives of the party, and they owed their safety only to the energetic
+guidance of Captain Almbach, who now turned aside from the Marchese's
+and the Englishman's expression of thanks.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Do not mention it, Signor! Such a trip is nothing new or unusual to
+me. I only pitied you, on account of the disagreeable circumstances in
+which you had been placed by the temper of a pretty woman.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes, women are to blame for everything,&quot; muttered Jonas furiously,
+while Hugo continued in an undertone--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I knew two hours ago what the sky and sea prophesied to us,
+notwithstanding their bright appearance. You know how earnestly I
+opposed the trip; however, Signora Biancona insisted positively upon
+it, and condescended to scoff at the 'timid sailor,' who could not even
+'venture upon his own element.' I think surely my courage will be
+rather less doubtful in her eyes; hers on the contrary&quot;--he broke off
+suddenly, and made a few steps to the other side. &quot;May I enquire how
+you feel, Signora?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Beatrice still trembled; but the sight of her opponent, who stood
+before her like the perfection of politeness, and perfection of malice,
+restored her consciousness to some extent. That he opposed the
+expedition had been sufficient to make her insist upon it with intense
+obstinacy, and render the other gentlemen deaf to all warning by her
+mocking remarks. The deadly fear of the last hour had given her a
+bitter lesson, certainly, and it was still more bitter to be obliged to
+owe her life to Captain Almbach, who had become the hero of the day,
+while she during the danger had shown herself anything but heroic.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Thank you--I am better,&quot; answered she, still struggling between anger
+and confusion.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am delighted to hear that,&quot; assured Hugo, as in the midst of the
+rain he made her an unexceptionable drawing-room bow, &quot;and now I shall
+put myself at the head of an expedition of discovery into the interior.
+Go on Jonas, reconnoitre the territory! Reinhold, you are no stranger
+here in the neighbourhood; do you not know where we are?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No,&quot; replied Reinhold, after a short and rapid glance around.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And you, Marchese Tortoni?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Cesario shrugged his shoulders--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I regret that I also am unable to give you any information. I seldom
+leave the immediate environs of Mirando; besides, in such weather it is
+almost impossible to know one's bearings.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">This certainly was true; earth, sky and sea seemed to flow into one
+another in rolling mist. He could see barely a hundred yards over the
+raging sea, and not much farther over the land. No hills, no landmarks
+were visible; a dense grey veil of fog imprisoned everything, and yet
+Captain Almbach did not allow that to be any excuse.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Unpractical, artist natures!&quot; muttered he, annoyed. &quot;They sit there
+for months in their Mirando and go into ecstasies day after day about
+the incomparable beauty of their gulf, but do not know the coast, and
+if once they are a mile away from the great tourist highway, they have
+no idea where they are. Lord Elton, will you be so good as come to my
+side? I think we are both best suited to being pioneers.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Lord Elton, who at the first meeting had been much pleased with Hugo's
+mischievous nature, and who had been highly impressed by him to-day,
+acceded immediately to the request. With the same imperturbable calm
+which he had shown before in danger, he placed himself at the sailor's
+side and went forward, while the other gentlemen followed with
+Beatrice.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It appears to me that chance has thrown us on a rather benighted
+coast,&quot; said Hugo, scoffingly, upon whose temper the weather did not
+exercise the slightest influence. &quot;According to my calculations, we
+must be quite ten or twelve miles distant from S----, and on our left
+some hills are faintly visible through the fog, with very suspicious
+looking ravines. Gennaro's band is said to frequent these mountains.
+What should you say, my Lord, if we were to taste some of the regular
+Italian romance of horror?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Lord Elton turned with sudden liveliness to the ravines pointed out,
+which certainly looked unpleasant enough in the thick fog, and scanned
+them attentively.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Indeed, that would be very interesting.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Provided there were a pretty 'brigandess' amongst them, not
+otherwise,&quot; added Hugo.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Gennaro's band has no woman with it. I have learned all particulars,&quot;
+said the former, seriously.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What a pity! The band seems to be very uncivilised still, that it has
+so little consideration for the natural wishes of its honoured guests.
+However, that would be something for my Jonas--a life without women! If
+he were to hear us he would desert and take his oath of allegiance to
+Gennaro's flag; I must take care of him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Do not joke so thoughtlessly,&quot; interposed the Marchese. &quot;Remember,
+Signor, we have a lady with us, and are all unarmed.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Excepting my Lord, who always carries a six chamber revolver with him
+as a pocket match-box,&quot; said Hugo, laughing. &quot;We others did not think
+it necessary to load ourselves with weapons when we undertook this
+harmless expedition. Besides, we have more efficacious protection
+to-day than two dozen carabineers would give us. In this rain no
+brigand would venture forth.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Do you think so?&quot; asked Lord Elton in unmistakable disappointment.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Certainly, my Lord! and for my part I think it will be better to
+forego the pleasure party in the mountains this time. Is it not also
+remarkable that we two, the only non-artists in the party, are the only
+two who appear to have any sense of the romance of the situation? My
+brother,&quot; here Hugo lowered his voice, &quot;walks by Signora Biancona like
+an irritated lion; besides he is now in his lion's mood, and it is
+wisest to approach him as little as possible. Signora never brought
+tragic despair to such perfection of expression on the stage as at this
+moment, and Marchese Cesario stares illogically into the mist instead
+of admiring our highly effective expedition in the rain. Ah, there
+something peeps out like a building, and Jonas returns from his
+<i>reconnaissance</i>. Well, what is it?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;A <i>locanda</i>!&quot; reported Jonas, who had gone on in front and was
+returning hastily. &quot;Now we are sheltered,&quot; added he triumphantly.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Heaven has mercy,&quot; cried Hugo, pathetically, as he turned round to
+impart the welcome news to the others. The prospect of shelter being
+near did indeed revive the sinking courage of the party; they redoubled
+their steps, and soon found themselves in the covered entrance of the
+house indicated.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The rough sailor's cloak has been made enviably happy to-day,&quot; said
+Captain Almbach, as he removed his garment from Signora Biancona's
+shoulders in the most polite manner. &quot;I knew we should require it
+to-day, therefore I ventured to bring it with me. The cloak quite
+protected you, Signora.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Beatrice pressed her lips hastily together, as with forced thanks she
+returned the shielding wrap. It had been hard enough to accept it from
+Captain Almbach's hand; however, he was the only person in possession
+of such a thing, and no choice remained to her, if she did not wish to
+be quite wet through. But like all passionate natures, she could not
+endure mockery, and this detested courtesy of her opponent never gave
+her the opportunity of decided antagonism towards him, and kept her
+mercilessly fast within the limits of social requirements.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The <i>locanda</i>. which lay rather lonely by the shore away from the great
+tourist highways, was not one of those which are frequented by more
+distinguished guests, and left much to be wished for as regards
+cleanliness and comfort, but the weather and their thoroughly damp
+state did not allow the guests to be particular. At any rate there were
+some apartments which were called guest chambers, and really at times
+served young painters and wandering tourists as a night's quarters.
+Beatrice was horrified on entering, and the Marchese looked with mute
+resignation at these rooms, which were certainly very unlike those of
+his Mirando; Lord Elton on the contrary reconciled himself better to
+the inevitable, and so far as the two brothers were concerned, Reinhold
+appeared quite indifferent to the style of the reception, and Hugo much
+amused by it. They now learned also that they were quite twelve miles
+distant from S----, and that another travelling party had already
+sought refuge here from the storm. But fortunately it had arrived at
+the beginning of the same, and in a carriage, therefore had not
+suffered from the rain like the lady and gentlemen just reaching it, at
+whose disposal all which the place contained was readily placed.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A quarter of an hour later, Hugo entered the general public and
+reception-room, and with his foot softly pushed aside a black, bristly
+object, which had laid itself just before the door with admirable
+coolness, and now left its place grunting crossly.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;These dear little animals appear to be considered quite fit for a
+drawing-room here; with us they are merely so in a roasted state,&quot; said
+he, quietly. &quot;I wanted to see where you were, Reinhold. My God, you are
+still in your wet clothes. Why have you not changed?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Reinhold, who stood at the window and gazed out at the sea, turned and
+cast an abstracted look at his brother, who already, like the other
+gentlemen, had made use of the padrone's and his son's Sunday clothes
+brought hastily to them.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Changed my clothes? Oh to be sure, I had forgotten.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then do it now!&quot; urged Hugo. &quot;Do you wish to ruin your health
+entirely?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Reinhold made an impatient deprecating gesture. &quot;Leave me alone! What a
+fuss about a storm of rain.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, the rain storm was within a hair's breadth of being fatal to
+us,&quot; said Captain Almbach, &quot;and I can bear testimony, as pilot, that my
+ship's crew behaved bravely, with the single exception of Donna
+Beatrice. She made rather extensive use of her rights as a lady, first
+by bringing us into danger, and then increasing its difficulties
+tenfold.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;For which you have the triumph that she owes her life to you, as do we
+all,&quot; suggested Reinhold, indifferently.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Hugo looked sharply at his brother. &quot;Which in your case you seem to
+value very slightly.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I, why?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He did not wait for the reply, and turned again to the window; but Hugo
+was already at his side and put an arm round his shoulder.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What is the matter, Reinhold?&quot; asked he again in the tone of former
+tenderness with which he once surrounded the younger brother--whom he
+knew to be oppressed and miserable in their relations' house--and which
+had now become so rare between them. Reinhold was silent.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I hoped you would at last find the rest here which you sought for so
+passionately,&quot; continued Captain Almbach, more seriously, &quot;instead of
+which you rush about worse than ever during the last week. We are
+barely, even nominally, the Marchese's guests any more. You drag him
+and us all into this constant change of distractions and excursions.
+From ship to carriage, from carriage to mules, as if every moment of
+repose or solitude were a torture to you, and once we are in the midst
+of the excitement you are often enough like a marble guest amongst us.
+What has happened?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Reinhold turned, not violently but decidedly, away from Hugo's arms.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That, I cannot tell you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Reinhold--&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Leave me--I beg you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Captain Almbach stepped back; he saw the repulse did not proceed from
+temper; the faint, constrained tone, betrayed suppressed pain only too
+well, but he knew of old that nothing could be gained from his brother
+in such a state of mind.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The storm seems to be at an end,&quot; said he, after a short pause, &quot;but
+at present it will be useless thinking of our return. We cannot under
+any circumstances venture on the boisterous sea again to-day, and the
+road will be in a bad enough state, too. I have promised the gentlemen
+to obtain some information respecting it for them, as to whether our
+return would be possible to-day, and if we may not expect a second
+outbreak from the clouds. The verandah up there seems to offer a
+tolerably free view; I will try it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He left the room, and ascended the stairs. The verandah lay on the
+other side of the house; it was a large stone adjunct, which probably
+dated from a former more brilliant period of the building, now, like
+the latter, neglected, half decayed, but extremely picturesque in its
+ruins and with its creeping vines, which climbed around the pillars and
+balustrade. A long open gallery led into it, and Hugo was just going to
+pass along it, when he was arrested. A pigeon fluttered immediately
+before him, chased by a boy in distinguished, fashionable-looking
+dress. The tame bird, accustomed to mankind, did not think seriously of
+flight; it flitted, as if playfully, along the floor, and only when the
+little arms were stretched out to catch it, did it soar easily up to
+the roof of the house, while the eager little follower rushed forward
+in wild career, and so ran up against Captain Almbach.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;See there, Signorino, that was nearly becoming a collision,&quot; said
+Hugo, as he caught the little one; but the latter, still full of
+eagerness for the chase, stretched both hands up above, and cried
+vivaciously in German--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I do so want the bird. Can you not catch him for me?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No, my little sportsman, I cannot, unless I could put on wings,&quot; said
+Hugo, playfully, as he examined the boy closer, astonished to hear his
+own language. He started, looked intently into his eyes a few seconds,
+and then lifted him up suddenly, to fold him with increasing tenderness
+in his arms.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The little one permitted the caress to take place calmly, but somewhat
+astonished. &quot;You speak just like mamma and uncle Erlau,&quot; said he
+confidingly. &quot;I do not understand any one else, and at home I
+understood all.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Is your mamma here also?&quot; enquired Hugo, hastily.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The child nodded, and pointed to the other side. Captain Almbach put
+him down quickly, and stepped on to the verandah with him, where Ella
+was coming towards them, and stood still in speechless surprise when
+she saw her boy holding his uncle's hand.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Must we meet here?&quot; cried the latter, greeting her eagerly. &quot;I thought
+you never left Villa Fiorina, especially in such weather.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is the first excursion, too, that we have attempted,&quot; replied Ella.
+&quot;My uncle's continued improved health led us to undertake a visit to
+the temple ruins in the mountains, but on our return journey the storm
+overtook us, and as the horses threatened to become unmanageable, we
+were glad to find shelter and refuge here.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We are in the same plight,&quot; reported Hugo, &quot;only it was worse for us,
+as we came by water.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A momentary pallor spread over Ella's countenance.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How? You are accompanied by your brother? I imagined it when I saw
+you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Hugo made a gesture of assent. &quot;You told me you wished to avoid a
+meeting at any price,&quot; began he again.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I. wished it; yes!&quot; interrupted she, firmly, &quot;but it was impossible.
+We have seen each other already.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I thought so!&quot; muttered Captain Almbach. &quot;Thence his incomprehensible
+reserve.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why did you not tell me you were guests of the owner of Mirando?&quot;
+asked Ella, reproachfully. &quot;I believed you to be in S----, and went
+unsuspectingly to see the villa. Only when too late did I learn who was
+staying in our immediate neighbourhood.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Hugo scanned her face with a rapid glance, as if he wished to assure
+himself of her self-possession.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You spoke to Reinhold?&quot; said he, in extreme anxiety, without noticing
+her reproach. &quot;Well, then?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, then?&quot; replied she, with an almost harsh expression, &quot;Do not be
+afraid! Signor Rinaldo knows now that he must remain at a distance from
+me and my son. He will acknowledge us at any possible meeting as little
+as I shall acknowledge him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;To-day it would certainly be impossible,&quot; replied Hugo seriously, &quot;as
+he is not alone. I fear, Ella, even that will not be spared you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You mean a meeting with Signora Biancona?&quot; Ella could not preserve her
+lips from trembling as she uttered the name, however much she forced
+herself to appear calm, &quot;Well, if it cannot be avoided, I shall know
+how to endure it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">During this conversation they had drawn near the balustrade. The storm
+was really over, and the sluices of heaven seemed to have exhausted
+themselves at last, but the air still hung damp and laden with rain.
+The wet vines, torn and disordered by the storm, still fluttered about,
+and drops of rain ran down from the saint's picture in the badly
+sheltered niche in the wall. Below rolled the sea, still wildly
+disturbed; the usually so quiet sapphire blue mirror was only a wild
+chaos of iron-grey currents and white foaming crests of waves, which
+broke hissing and surging on the shore. But the mist, which until now
+had enveloped the whole country in an impenetrable veil, commenced to
+melt at last, and land-marks came out distinctly already; only around
+the higher points did it still cling and hang, while in the west a
+clearer gleam of light began to struggle with the disappearing clouds.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How did you recognise my little Reinhold?&quot; asked Ella suddenly, in
+quite an altered tone. &quot;You did not see him at your last visit, and
+when you left H---- he had barely passed his first year of life.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Hugo leant down to the child, and lifted up its little head.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How I recognised him?&quot; replied he smiling; &quot;by his eyes. He has yours,
+Ella, and they are not so easily mistaken, even if they look out of
+another's face. I should know them amongst hundreds.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">His tone had almost a passionate warmth. The young wife drew slightly
+aside.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Since when have you begun to pay me compliments, Hugo?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Are compliments so unusual to you, Ella?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;From your lips, certainly.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes, certainly. I dare not venture upon what you allow to every one
+else,&quot; said Captain Almbach, with a slight accent of bitterness. &quot;The
+attempt has once already obtained me the name of 'adventurer.'&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It seems as if you could never forget that word,&quot; said Ella, half
+smiling.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He threw his head back defiantly. &quot;No, I cannot, as it pained me, and
+therefore I cannot get over it, even until this moment.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Pained you?&quot; repeated Ella. &quot;Can, indeed, anything pain you, Hugo?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That is to say, in other words--'have you then indeed a heart, Hugo?'
+Oh, no, I do <i>not</i> possess such an article at all; I came off badly at
+the distribution of the same; you must surely have discovered that.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I do not mean that,&quot; interposed Ella, &quot;I give you all credit for the
+warmest feelings.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But no earnestness, no depth?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Captain Almbach looked at her silently for a few seconds; at last he
+said softly--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Was it necessary, Ella, to give me such a harsh lesson, because T
+ventured lately to kiss your hand, which perhaps displeased you? I know
+what this 'No' means. You see I understand hints, and shall take note
+of to-day's. You need not be afraid.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A slight blush passed over Ella's features, as she saw that he
+understood her. &quot;I did not wish to wound you, indeed not,&quot; she
+answered, and put her hand out heartily, but Hugo stood obstinately
+averted, and appeared not to notice it.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Are you angry with me?&quot; she asked. It was a touchingly-beseeching
+tone, and it did not fail in its intention. Captain Almbach turned
+round suddenly, and caught her offered hand, but in his answer
+excitement and the old love of teasing struggled again, and were
+suppressed with difficulty, as he replied--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;If my late uncle and aunt could see us now, they would observe with
+intense satisfaction how their daughter holds the incorrigible Hugo by
+the head--he who will usually obey no other reins--how she will not
+permit him to go even one step beyond those limits which she finds it
+good to draw. No, I am not angry with you, Ella--cannot be so--only you
+must not make obedience too hard for me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Both were still engaged in lively conversation, when Marchese Tortoni
+and Lord Elton also entered the verandah from the gallery.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Look there,&quot; said the former, astonished, to his companion, &quot;that is
+the reason why our Capitano's observations are so endlessly prolonged
+that we are obliged to look him up at last. It is indeed an
+extraordinary nature. An hour ago he forced our boat through storm and
+waves, and now he plays the agreeable to a young signora.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes, an extraordinary man,&quot; agreed Lord Elton, who had taken such a
+blind fancy to Hugo, that he thought everything perfect in him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The unbearable sultry air in the close rooms appeared to have driven
+the whole party out on to the verandah, as immediately after the two
+gentlemen Reinhold and Beatrice appeared also. If his wife were
+prepared for this encounter, he certainly was not, as he became pale as
+death, and made a movement as if to turn back; but at the same moment
+the boy's fair, curly head appeared from behind the young wife, and, as
+if transfixed, the father stood still. His glance directed openly to
+the child, he appeared to have forgotten all else around him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What a lovely child!&quot; cried Beatrice, admiringly, as she stretched her
+arms out with perfect assurance; but now Ella started up! with a single
+movement she had withdrawn the boy from the intended caress, and
+pressed him firmly to herself.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Excuse me, Signora,&quot; said she, coldly, &quot;the child is shy with
+strangers, and not accustomed to <i>such</i> caresses.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Beatrice seemed somewhat offended at this repulse; however she saw
+nothing more in it than a mother's over-due anxiety. She shrugged her
+shoulders imperceptibly, and a scoffing side-glance fell upon the
+stranger, but it soon remained enchained by the latter's appearance,
+although recognition only took place on one side.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Before Ella's recollection, that evening stood forth in perfect
+distinctness when she, alone, without knowledge of her people, her veil
+drawn closely over her face, hastened to the theatre, in order to see
+the one who had so completely alienated her husband. She had seen
+Beatrice in all the brilliancy of her beauty and talent, intoxicated by
+the cheers and homage of the public, and she bore the impression
+ineffaceably away with her.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Beatrice, also, had only once seen Reinhold's wife, at the time when
+she first began to be interested in the young composer, and Ella did
+not then suspect anything of her evil influence. A short meeting of a
+few minutes sufficed for the Italian to perceive that this quiet, pale
+being, with downcast eyes, and that ridiculously matronly costume,
+could not possibly bind such a man to her, and this knowledge was
+extensive enough for her not to take any further notice of the young
+wife. At all events it was impossible for her to associate the
+colourless, half ridiculous, and half pitiful picture, which she
+carried in her recollection, in the remotest degree with this
+apparition, which stood so unapproachably proudly there, which held its
+fair head so high and erect, and whose large blue eyes looked at her
+with an expression which Beatrice was unable to explain to herself. She
+only saw that the stranger was very haughty, but also very beautiful.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The two gentlemen seemed to think the latter also, as they came nearer,
+bowing politely; Lord Elton gazed at Ella with open admiration, and the
+Marchese, whom Hugo had often reproached for blamable indifference to
+ladies' acquaintance, said with unusual eagerness to him--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You appear to know the Signora. May we not also count upon the
+pleasure of being introduced to her?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Captain Almbach, as if to protect her, had placed himself by the young
+wife's side. Between his eyebrows lay a frown which seldom appeared on
+his cheerful brow, and it became still deeper at this request, which
+could not possibly be refused. He therefore introduced the two
+gentlemen, and named his countrywoman to them as Frau Erlau. He knew
+that Ella, in order to anticipate unpleasant enquiries, to which the
+name of Almbach might easily give rise, bore that of her adopted
+father, so long as she remained in Italy.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Beatrice's eyes flashed with offended pride. She was not accustomed to
+herself and Reinhold being mentioned last in such cases, and here she
+was not even named at all. Captain Almbach ignored her altogether, and
+appeared actually to do so on purpose, as the angry look which she cast
+towards him was received with aggravating coldness; but even Cesario
+was struck by the want of tact that his usually charming friend
+displayed. While he uttered a few civilities to the strange lady, he
+waited in vain for the continuation of the presentation, and as this
+did not ensue, he undertook it, in order to atone for the Captain's
+supposed impoliteness.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You have forgotten the most important part, Signor,&quot; said he, turning
+the affair quickly into a joke. &quot;Signora Erlau would hardly be grateful
+to you were you not to mention the very two names which, doubtless,
+interest her most, and which are certainly not unknown to her. Signora
+Biancona--Signor Rinaldo.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Beatrice, still enraged at the insult offered to her, only vouchsafed a
+slight inclination of her head, which was similarly returned; but
+suddenly she became observant. She felt how Reinhold's arm quivered,
+how he let hers fall, and moved a step away from her as he bowed. She
+knew him too well not to perceive that at this moment, notwithstanding
+his apparent calm, he was terribly agitated. This intense pallor, this
+nervous quivering of his lips, were the sure sign that he was forcibly
+suppressing some passionate emotion. And what meant this glance, which
+certainly only met that of the stranger for a few seconds, but it
+flashed with unmistakable defiance, and melted again into perfect
+tenderness when it fell on the child at her side. She herself, indeed,
+stood quite impassive opposite him; not a feature moved in the
+countenance cold as marble. But this face was also remarkably pale, and
+her arms encircled her boy with convulsive firmness, as if he were to
+be torn away from them. Yet she replied in a perfectly controlled
+voice--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am much obliged to you, Signor. I had indeed not yet the pleasure of
+knowing Italy's principal singer and Italy's celebrated composer.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Reinhold's blood surged through his veins, as again, and this time
+before strangers, the endless breach was shown him which separated him
+from his former wife. Now it was she who assigned him the place which
+he had to occupy towards her; and that she could do it with such calm
+and ease roused him to the uttermost.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Italy's?&quot; replied he, with sharp accentuation. &quot;You forget, Signora,
+that by birth I am a German.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Really,&quot; replied Ella, in the same tone as before. &quot;Indeed I did not
+know that until now.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;One seems to be soon forgotten in one's home,&quot; said Reinhold, with
+savage bitterness.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But surely only when people estrange themselves. In this case it is
+quite comprehensible. You, Signor, have found a second fatherland, and
+he to whom Italy has given so much can easily forego home and its
+recollections.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She turned to the other gentlemen, exchanged a few passing indifferent
+words with them, and then gave her hand quietly and openly to Hugo in
+farewell.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You will excuse me, I must go to my uncle. Reinhold bid Captain
+Almbach adieu.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It was only too true. Ella possessed a terrible weapon in the child,
+and understood how to use it mercilessly. Reinhold experienced it at
+this moment. To him she relentlessly denied the sight and presence of
+his boy, although she knew with what passion he longed for him; and now
+she let him see how this boy stretched out his little arms to his
+uncle, and offered his mouth for a kiss; let him see it in the presence
+of the woman for whom he had forsaken them both, and whose presence
+forbade him to insist upon any of his rights as a father--the revenge
+penetrated to the innermost depths of his heart.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Beatrice, quite contrary to her usual custom, had not taken part, even
+by a single syllable, in the conversation; but her darkly burning
+glance did not move from either of the two, between whom she suspected
+some secret connection, although her thoughts were immeasurably far
+from the truth itself. For the present, however, Ella now put an end to
+any further conversation. She took little Reinhold by the hand, and
+after a slight, haughty bow, which included the whole party, she left
+the verandah with the child.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You appear to have introduced some incognita to us, Signor Capitano,&quot;
+said Beatrice, with cutting scorn. &quot;Perhaps you will be so good as to
+explain to us exactly who the princess is who has just now condescended
+to leave us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes, by heaven, very proud, but also very beautiful!&quot; cried the
+Marchese, his admiration breaking forth, while Hugo replied coolly--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You are mistaken, Signora. I told you the name of the German lady.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The young Italian went up to his friend and laid his hand on the
+latter's shoulder.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Signora's mistake is easily understood. Do not you think so also,
+Rinaldo?--Good God, what is the matter--what ails you?&quot;</p>
+<br>
+
+<br>
+
+<br>
+
+<br>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER III.</h2>
+
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Nothing,&quot; said Reinhold, recovering himself with a great effort. &quot;I am
+not well; the stormy voyage has upset me. It is nothing, Cesario.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I believe the best we can do is to think of our return,&quot; interrupted
+Hugo, who deemed it necessary to distract attention from his brother,
+as he saw that the latter could no longer control his agitation. &quot;A
+repetition of the storm need not be feared, and as the padrone has
+promised to procure us a carriage, we can reach S---- this evening if
+we start soon.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It was the first time that Beatrice cordially agreed to any proposition
+made by Captain Almbach. Marchese Tortoni, on the contrary, considered
+any great haste very unnecessary, and raised several objections. All at
+once the lonely <i>locanda</i> seemed to have gained remarkable attractions
+for him. But as he could not succeed in his wishes--for Reinhold also
+insisted upon an immediate return--he joined Captain Almbach, who went
+to see about the carriage.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I fear you made up some tale for your brother and me, when you
+declared that a certain villa was inaccessible,&quot; said he, teasingly.
+&quot;It was suspicious at the time when you confessed your failure so
+openly, and let our jokes fall so quietly upon you. I could swear that
+I had seen this charming figure and those glorious fair plaits once
+before, when I rode past the villa. I understand, of course, that you
+would not make us the confidants of your adventure, still----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You are mistaken,&quot; interrupted Hugo, with a decision which made it
+impossible to doubt his words. &quot;There is no talk of an adventure here,
+Signor Marchese. I give you my word upon it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ah, then pardon me,&quot; said Cesario, seriously; &quot;I believe your
+apparently intimate acquaintance with the lady----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Arises from a former acquaintance in Germany,&quot; completed Captain
+Almbach. &quot;I certainly had no suspicion of this meeting, when I believed
+I was seeking a perfect stranger in the Villa Fiorina; but I repeat it,
+that the word 'adventure' must not be connected in the remotest degree
+with that lady, and that I claim the most perfect and unqualified
+respect for her from all.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The very positive tone of this explanation might, perhaps, have
+irritated another listener, but the young Marchese, on the contrary,
+seemed to find unmistakable satisfaction in it.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I do not in the least doubt that you are quite justified in your
+demand,&quot; replied he, very warmly. &quot;The whole bearing of the beautiful
+lady answers for it. What imposing dignity, and what a perfectly
+charming appearance! I never saw any woman unite the two so
+thoroughly.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Really?&quot; Hugo's voice betrayed by no means pleasant surprise, as he
+looked at his companion, whose cheeks were deeply suffused with colour,
+and whose eyes sparkled. Captain Almbach did not utter another word,
+but his countenance told plainly enough what he thought. &quot;I believe
+this ideal-man also begins to care about other things besides airs and
+recitatives--however, it is quite unnecessary.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Beatrice stood alone up in the verandah. She had not followed Reinhold
+and Lord Elton, who also descended. Her hand buried itself
+unconsciously in the wet vine-leaves, while her dark eyes were fixed
+steadily on the sea. Lost in gloomy meditation, she only clung to the
+one thought, which her lips now uttered, as half threateningly, half
+frightened, she whispered----&quot;What was it between them?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Autumn had come, and brought strangers and inhabitants back from the
+seaside and mountains to the large ever stirring and bustling central
+point of Italy. It was indeed not such an autumn as leads nature to its
+grave in the North, with gloomy, rainy days, raw stormy nights, rolling
+mists, hoar and night frosts. Here it lay mildly in golden clearness
+and indescribable beauty over the wide plains, from which at last the
+summer's heat had subsided; over the mountains, which, at other times
+were day after day enveloped in hot vapour, encircled with white
+clouds, now again showed their blue outlines undisguised; and over the
+town, where the great wave of life which for several moons had rolled
+slowly, now flowed forth with renewed power.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Signora Biancona had also returned. Her stay in S---- had been as
+unexpectedly and quickly terminated as was Reinhold's in Mirando. He
+seemed as if, all at once, he could not endure his usually favourite
+place any longer. Almost immediately after their stormy sea excursion,
+he insisted positively that the original plan should be adhered to, and
+the <i>villegiatura</i> in the mountains, long since decided upon, be
+carried out. The Marchese's objections, even his openly-displayed
+annoyance--having counted upon a lengthy visit from his guests--were in
+vain, as Beatrice also agreed somewhat eagerly to Reinhold's plan, and
+thus Cesario remained alone in Mirando, while the others went to the
+mountains, from which they had now just returned.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It was during the forenoon. Signora Biancona was sitting in her
+boudoir, her head resting on her arm, and her hand buried in her dark
+hair, in an attitude of eager attention. The conductor, Gianelli, had
+taken up his position opposite to her. Whatever his real feelings
+towards the envied Rinaldo might be, he was much too clever not to show
+outwardly all necessary respect and consideration to him, who, in the
+world of art, as in society, was all-powerful; and towards the
+beautiful <i>prima donna</i> he was now all attention and devotion, which he
+showed in voice and manner, as, continuing the conversation already
+begun, he said--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You had commanded, Signora, and that was sufficient for me at once to
+set all machinery in motion. I am fortunate in being able to fulfil
+your wish, and impart the fullest information upon a certain subject.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Beatrice lifted up her head with liveliest eagerness. &quot;Well?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;This Signor Erlau is, as you supposed, a merchant from H----. He must,
+indeed, belong to the richest of his class, as everywhere he appears
+like a millionaire. He has rented the entire Villa Fiorina, near S----,
+for himself and his family, and here, also, he inhabits one of the most
+expensive houses. His household is arranged in great style; part of the
+servants brought from Germany. He bears important introductions to his
+embassy, of which, however, he has not made any use as yet, because his
+state of health necessitates retirement. His move here, in fact, was
+only made in order to put himself under the treatment of one of our
+most celebrated doctors----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I know all that already,&quot; interrupted Beatrice, impatiently. &quot;When I
+heard the name, I did not doubt that it was the same Consul at whose
+house I visited during my stay in H----. But the lady who accompanies
+them--the young Signora?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Is his niece,&quot; explained Gianelli, who made an intentional pause after
+the first words.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The singer appeared to consider. &quot;She certainly was presented to me as
+Signora Erlau. A relation, therefore. I did not see her in those days.
+I surely should have remarked her; one does not so easily over look
+such a figure.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The maestro smiled with a malicious expression. &quot;She is <i>said</i> to bear
+the same name, certainly, as her adopted father; she is <i>said</i> to be a
+widow--<i>said</i> to have lost her husband many years since. At least, they
+wish such to be believed in Italy, and the servants have strict orders
+to answer all enquiries in this manner.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Beatrice listened attentively to this explanation with its double
+meaning, &quot;'<i>Said</i> to be;' but is it not so? I suspected that some
+secret lay hidden there. You have discovered it?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Servants are never silent, if one understands to apply in the right
+manner,&quot; remarked Gianelli, scornfully. &quot;I only fear it is an extremely
+delicate point, and as it concerns Signor Rinaldo----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Rinaldo!&quot; exclaimed Beatrice, &quot;how so? What has Rinaldo to do with it?
+Did you not say that it concerns Rinaldo?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The maestro bent his head, and said in his softest tone, &quot;I was then,
+indeed mistaken, Signora, when I premised that the cause of your wish
+to learn more particulars about the Erlau family originated with Signor
+Rinaldo.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The singer bit her lips. She certainly might have foreseen that the
+motive which dictated the commission she had given him could not escape
+the observing eyes of a Gianelli.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Let us leave Rinaldo out of the question!&quot; said she, with an effort to
+appear calm. &quot;You were about to speak of Signora Erlau.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It would be somewhat difficult to separate one from the other,&quot;
+suggested Gianelli. &quot;I only fear Signor Rinaldo is unfortunately not
+favourably disposed towards me already, certainly from no fault of
+mine. I fear I might arouse his extreme ill-will if he discovered it
+was I who made such a communication, and especially to you&quot;--he paused,
+and drew figures on the floor with his walking stick, in well-feigned
+confusion.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;To me, especially!&quot; repeated Beatrice, violently, &quot;then this
+communication is not intended for me? You must speak, Signor Gianelli!
+You shall not withhold one word, not one syllable either! I require, I
+demand it of you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well then----&quot; he seemed really about to come to the explanation, but
+the game was too interesting to give it up so soon, and the maestro
+himself had too often suffered from the temper of the beautiful <i>prima
+donna</i> to be able to deny himself the satisfaction of keeping her still
+longer on the rack of eagerness.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well then, you surely are aware of Signor Rinaldo's former bonds; but
+in, Italy few or none know that he was already married. I myself was
+only informed of it on this occasion. You, of course, were acquainted
+with the fact.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I know it,&quot; replied Beatrice, suppressedly, &quot;but how does that concern
+this?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Indeed it does to some extent. You do not know Rinaldo's wife,
+Signora?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No. Though yes; I saw her once momentarily. A very insignificant
+person.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;They do not seem to think so, here,&quot; remarked Gianelli, again in the
+same soft tone. &quot;Notwithstanding her seclusion, the beautiful fair
+German begins to create a sensation.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Who?&quot; Beatrice rose so suddenly and wildly, that the maestro thought
+it wiser to retire a few steps. &quot;Of whom are you speaking?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Of Signora Eleonore Almbach, who certainly bears her adopted father's
+name here, probably to avoid inquisitive inquiries.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That is impossible,&quot; exclaimed the singer, now with extreme violence.
+&quot;That cannot be. You deceive me, or have been yourself deceived.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Excuse me,&quot; said Gianelli, defending himself, &quot;my source is the most
+authentic. I will answer for its correctness, and Signor Rinaldo will
+be obliged to confirm it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Impossible!&quot; repeated Beatrice, still quite without her
+self-possession. &quot;<i>This</i> apparition his wife! I saw her formerly, of
+course, although only for a few minutes. Was I then blind?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Or was he so?&quot; completed Gianelli to himself; but he said aloud, &quot;I am
+inconsolable to have excited you so, Signora; you will give me credit
+for not wishing to speak, but you regularly forced this information
+from me. I regret this exceedingly.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">His words restored Beatrice somewhat to consciousness. She felt what
+she had to expect from the pity of the man who had played the spy on
+her behalf.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Certainly not!&quot; replied she in a hasty but vain attempt to recover her
+self-control. &quot;I--I thank you, Signor. I am merely surprised, nothing
+more.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The maestro saw that he could not do better than retire, but as he
+prepared to leave, he laid his hand assuringly upon his heart--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You know, Signora, that I am quite at your commands, and if you deem
+it necessary to insist upon my unconditional silence in this affair, no
+assurance is needed that this also is at your service. Quite at your
+commands.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He left the room with a low bow; he was in earnest with the last words.
+Gianelli was too good a reckoner not to consider as a valuable secret,
+something which sooner or later might be employed against the hated
+Rinaldo. If he were to make the piquant story public in society,
+nothing more could be done with it; in his sole possession, on the
+contrary, it might be very useful. At present it ensured him influence
+over Beatrice, and, indirectly, even over Rinaldo, to whom it could, at
+the very least, not be agreeable that his family affairs should become
+generally known.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In the best of humours the maestro passed through the saloon, and
+entered the antechamber, where at that moment the sailor Jonas was
+alone. Captain Almbach had sent him to his brother with some message;
+he supposed the latter to be with Signora Biancona. Reinhold, however,
+was at the manager's, but was expected every moment. Jonas learned this
+from some servant who had gone into Beatrice's service from that of the
+same manager who had taken the Italian Opera Company to Germany, and as
+a trophy of his northern journey was able to maltreat a few words of
+German. As the sailor had received orders to give his master's note to
+the latter's brother himself, nothing else remained for him than to
+wait; he therefore took up his position in the ante-room, through which
+Reinhold was sure to pass. He had certainly remarked that the door of
+one of the back rooms stood open, and that some one was in there,
+apparently one of the Signora's lady's maids, who was occupied with a
+dress of her mistress. However, as this somebody was a woman, she
+naturally did not exist for Jonas, who, dissatisfied and silent as
+usual, withdrew into one of the window recesses, and remained there
+above a quarter of an hour without taking the slightest notice of his
+neighbour.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Signor Gianelli, as regards women, seemed to entertain the most
+opposite views; he had barely discovered the open door and the young
+girl, before he immediately altered his course, and steered in that
+direction. Jonas naturally did not understand any of the conversation,
+conducted in Italian, which now took place between the two, but so much
+was clear to him, that the maestro endeavoured to play the agreeable,
+apparently without particular success, as he only received short, and
+rather defiant-sounding replies, and at the same time the heavy silken
+folds were so adroitly draped that he could not come nearer without
+crumpling the light satin. This lasted a few minutes, then Signor
+Gianelli appeared to try and make some serious attempt, as a cry of
+annoyance was heard, followed by the angry stamping of a little foot.
+The dress flew aside, and the young girl fled into the ante-room, where
+she stood still with arms folded defiantly and eyes sparkling with
+rage. But the maestro had followed her, and without being intimidated
+in the least by the opposition, gave signs of trying to enforce the
+kiss which evidently had been refused him before, when he stumbled upon
+a most unexpected obstacle. A powerful hand caught him suddenly by the
+collar, and a strange voice said impressively--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That is to be left alone.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">At the first moment the Italian appeared staggered at this interruption
+from a stranger whom he had not perceived at all; but on looking more
+closely at the latter, and discovering that he had only a common sailor
+to deal with, he drew himself up with great self-importance and evinced
+great annoyance. He immediately reversed the order of affairs, and
+pretended to be the one insulted. How could any one dare to attack a
+man in his position, especially in Signora Biancona's apartments; he
+should lay a complaint to the Signora; what sort of a person was it who
+took such a liberty? and thereupon a flood of not exactly flattering
+names swept over poor Jonas.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The latter endured the insults heaped upon him with immovable
+placidity, as he did not understand even one word of them; but when the
+Italian, deceived by this quiescence, took it into his head to make a
+threatening gesticulation with his stick, there was an end of the
+sailor's calm, as he understood this pantomime very well. With a sudden
+movement he had caught the stick from the maestro, the next moment had
+seized him and regularly thrust him out of the room, thrown his stick
+after him, and locked the door, all without speaking a single word, and
+returned quietly to his window recess as if nothing had happened. But
+here the young girl came at once towards him, stretching out both hands
+to him, with southern vivacity and overflowing with gratitude.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is not necessary! Was done willingly,&quot; said Jonas, dryly, but as he
+put out his arm as if to refuse her thanks, a little hand was placed
+upon it, and a clear voice said something in the softest tones, which
+was undoubtedly intended to express her acknowledgments.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Jonas looked most indignantly, first at his arm, then at the hand,
+which still lay upon it, and after having gazed at both for some time,
+he condescended at last to cast a glance also at the person to whom the
+hand belonged.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Before him stood a young girl of at most sixteen years, so lythe, so
+intensely slight and graceful a figure, that she presented the greatest
+contrast imaginable to the broad form of the sailor. A wreath of
+splendid blue-black plaits surrounded the little face, which, with its
+dark brown complexion and burning black eyes, certainly sprang from the
+South of Italy. The little one was pretty, without doubt very pretty,
+that could not be denied, and the liveliness with which she endeavoured
+to show her protector how very grateful she was rendered her still more
+charming.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes, if I only understood the cursed language!&quot; muttered Jonas, in
+whom, for the first time, something like regret arose that he had
+thrown away, with such obstinate determination, the rare opportunity
+offered him during the summer of learning Italian. He shook his head,
+shrugged his shoulders, and in this way made pantomimic signs that he
+did not understand Italian, which the young girl seemed to think quite
+unheard of and also very disagreeable.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I was to find Mr. Reinhold,&quot; growled Jonas, who, strange to say,
+seemed to long to impart some information, which was not usually his
+case with women. He made the discovery, however, that even this name
+was not understood, as now it became his companion's turn to shake her
+head and shrug her shoulders.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes, indeed,&quot; said the sailor angrily, &quot;he could not even retain his
+honest German name! Rinaldo he lets himself be called here--God have
+pity on him! Robbers and rogues are called by such names with us at
+home. Signor Rinaldo,&quot; exclaimed he, as he drew out his master's note,
+which bore the same name. This address was of course well enough known
+in Signora Biancona's house; any farther understanding was now,
+however, unnecessary, as just at the moment when the two were bending
+their heads eagerly over the letter, the door of the ante-room was
+opened and Reinhold himself entered.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The young girl remarked him first. In one moment she was away from the
+sailor's side and in the middle of the room, where she made a graceful
+curtsy and then disappeared in the direction of the saloon, probably to
+announce the long-expected one to her mistress; while Jonas, who could
+not conceive how any person could fly away thus lightly and rapidly,
+and disappear tracelessly in a few seconds, stared after her so
+steadily that Reinhold was obliged to go up to him and ask what brought
+him there. Ashamed, and somewhat confused, he delivered his errand and
+gave up the note, which Almbach opened and read rapidly. The contents
+seemed to be very indifferent to him--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Tell my brother I am engaged already for to-day, and therefore beg him
+to accept the Marchese's invitation merely for himself. If possible at
+all, I shall appear towards evening.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He put the note in his pocket, dismissed the messenger by a gesture,
+and passed into the saloon. Jonas now had his orders and ought to have
+returned home; instead, however, he sought the servant who had given
+him the required information before, and the latter made the discovery
+that the inaccessible sailor, so chary of words, had all at once
+become very inquisitive, as he enquired very particularly about
+Signora Biancona's household and its <i>personnel</i>. and tolerated the
+Italian's horrible German--who was so proud of his knowledge of the
+language--with exemplary patience.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Reinhold, meanwhile, had entered the boudoir. He no longer required any
+announcement to its mistress, and she came towards him at once; but had
+he not been so entirely absorbed in other thoughts he must have seen at
+the first glance that something had happened to her. The Italian's dark
+warm colouring could appear pale at times; this was evident now, when
+the glowing blood which usually throbbed in her cheeks had disappeared
+to the very last drop; but it was an unnatural pallor, and her eyes
+burned all the more scorchingly. Beatrice was actress enough to be
+able, for a few moments at least, to control her temper when it was
+required to gain some object, and she wished to obtain one to-day. A
+trait of dark determination lay in her face; she wished to see clearly
+at any price.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I met Gianelli below in the street,&quot; began Reinhold, after the first
+greeting. &quot;He appeared to come from your house; was he with you?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Certainly! I know you are prejudiced against him, but I cannot
+possibly decline to see the conductor of the opera, when he comes on
+purpose to discuss something as to its performance with me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Reinhold shrugged his shoulders. &quot;That could be done at the rehearsals.
+Are you a young beginner, who requires protection, and must fear
+offending any one? I should have thought that you, in your position,
+could behave with as little consideration as I do. However, I will give
+you no directions about it. Receive whom you will, even Gianelli! I am
+far from wishing to place any control upon you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The tone sounded icy, and Beatrice's voice trembled slightly as she
+replied, &quot;That is new to me. You used to watch over my visitors most
+despotically; formerly no one could cross my threshold who was not
+agreeable to you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Reinhold had thrown himself into a seat. &quot;You see I have become more
+tolerant.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;More tolerant!--more indifferent.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You have often enough complained of my despotism,&quot; remarked he, with a
+slight tinge of sarcasm.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And yet I bore it because I knew it sprang from love. It is only
+natural that with the one the other should also cease.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Reinhold made an impatient movement. &quot;Beatrice you demand what is
+impossible, when you require that a human heart should ever and for
+ever glow with those volcanic feelings which alone you call love.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She had approached his seat, and placed her hand on its back, while she
+looked down at him with a strange expression.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I see certainly that it is impossible to require from the cold heart
+of a Northerner such love as I give and demand.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You should have left him in his north,&quot; said Reinhold, gloomily;
+&quot;perhaps the cold there would have been better for him than the
+everlasting glow of the south.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Is that intended for a reproach? Was it I who tore you from your
+home?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No! I went voluntarily, but--be just, Beatrice!--you were the moving
+power. Who urged me constantly to the resolution? Who held my artist's
+course again and again before my eyes? Who dubbed me a coward as I
+started back at the responsibility, and at last placed the fatal choice
+before me of flight or our separation? Excuse me--you knew how the
+decision must fall.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Italian's dark eyes flashed threateningly, but she forced herself
+to be calm.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Our love depended on it,&quot; declared she, proudly; &quot;our love depended on
+it, and your artist's career. I rescued a genius for the world when I
+rescued you for myself.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He was silent. The defence appeared to find no echo in his heart. She
+bent lower to him, and her voice sounded sweet and fascinating again,
+but the unnatural expression did not leave her features.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You are dreaming, Rinaldo. This is one of your moods again, which I
+have so often had to fight against. Is it the first time then, that an
+unhappy, unsuitable marriage has been dissolved in order to form a
+happier union?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Reinhold leaned his head on his hand. &quot;No, certainly not; but that does
+not affect this case; my marriage has not been dissolved, and we--have
+never thought of marriage.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Beatrice started, and her hand slid from the back of the chair.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You were not free?&quot; she murmured.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It would only have cost me one word to be so. I knew I should not be
+prevented, and means enough were open to you to obtain dispensation,
+which would have permitted a Catholic to make this marriage. But we
+both dreaded the indissoluble bond; we wished to be free and
+unfettered, without limits in our love as in our life--well, we are so
+still at this moment.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What do you mean by this?&quot; Beatrice pressed her hand upon her heart as
+if breathless. &quot;Do you still consider your marriage to exist?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh, no, certainly not; and if I did, the daring of such an idea would
+soon be made plain to me. You do not know what an offended wife and
+mother is in the pride of her virtue. If the sinner were to devote his
+whole remaining life to penance and repentance, he would still not be
+restored to favour.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The words were intended to sound scoffingly; he did not suspect the
+boundless bitterness they betrayed as he hurled them forth; but
+Beatrice understood it only too well, and with this recognition, her
+self-control, so far preserved with such difficulty, broke down
+irretrievably.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You have, perhaps, tried it already with the offended wife,&quot; cried she
+furiously. &quot;She is in your neighbourhood; I myself was witness of your
+meeting. That is why your eyes encountered each other in so mysterious
+a manner; that is why you could not tear your gaze away from the child;
+that is why she drew back from me, as if from something unholy. Have
+you attempted the penitent scene already, Rinaldo?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Reinhold had sprung up; anger and astonishment struggled in his
+countenance. &quot;So you know already who Signora Erlau is? But why do I
+ask! The spy, this Gianelli, has just left you; he has traced it out
+and communicated it to you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A dark look passed over the singer's features for a moment, as she
+remembered the distinct commission she had given to the spy, but in her
+inward excitement shame found no place.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You knew it in Mirando,&quot; continued she violently, &quot;and she occupies
+the Villa Fiorina close by. Will you try to make me believe you had not
+seen each other before, not spoken?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I do not wish to try and make you believe anything,&quot; said Reinhold
+coldly. &quot;How I stand to Eleonore, our utterly estranged meeting must
+have shown you sufficiently. Calm yourself. You have nothing to dread
+from that side. What else has taken place between me and my <i>wife</i> I
+shall not confess to <i>you</i>.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A slight, but yet perceptible tone of contempt lay on the two words,
+and it seemed to be understood.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It appears you place me <i>below</i> your wife,&quot; said Beatrice weeping.
+&quot;Below the woman whose only merit was and is that of being the mother
+of your child; who never----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Pray, leave that alone!&quot; interrupted he, with decision. &quot;You know I
+never permit you to touch upon that point, and now I shall endure it
+less than ever. If you must get up a scene for me, do it, but leave my
+wife and child out of the drama.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It was as if his words had let a storm loose, so raging, so unmeasured
+did the Italian's passion now break forth, dragging every trace of
+self-control along with it.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Your wife and your child!&quot; repeated she, beside herself. &quot;Oh, I know
+what these words signify to me; I must experience it often enough. Have
+they not forced themselves between us from the first moment of our
+meeting until to-day? To them I owe every bitter hour, every strange
+emotion in your heart. They have lain upon you like a shadow, amidst
+the growth of your artist's renown, amidst all your conquests and
+triumphs; as if they had cursed you there in the north, with the
+recollection of them, you could not tear your self away from them; and
+yet there was a time when they were the oppressive fetters which
+separated you from life and future--which you must break at last!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;To exchange them for others,&quot; completed Reinhold, whose violence now
+burst forth, &quot;and the question is, are these others lighter? There, it
+was only the outward circumstances which confined me; my thoughts,
+feelings and actions were at all events free. You would fain see these,
+also like myself, without a will, at your feet, and that you could not
+attain this, or at least not always, I have had to atone for by hours
+of endless excitement and bitterness. Your love would have made any
+other man into your slave. Me it forced to stand in constant opposition
+to your love of ruling, which tried to take possession of every
+innermost thought and feeling. But I should have thought, Beatrice,
+that you had hitherto found in me your master, who knew how to preserve
+his own independence, and would not allow his whole being and nature to
+be clasped in chains.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The storm had now been called up. Henceforth there was no restraint, no
+more moderation; at least not for Beatrice, whose passion foamed out
+ever wilder.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I must hear that, too, from the lips of the man who so often called me
+his muse? Have you forgotten who it was who first awoke you to the
+knowledge of your talents and of yourself; who alone led you up to the
+sun's height of fame? Without me, the admired Rinaldo would have
+succumbed under the fetters which he did not dare to break.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She did not realise how deeply her reproach must wound his pride as a
+man. Reinhold was roused, but not with that haughtiness which, until
+now, too often darkened his character; this time it was a proud,
+energetic self-consciousness with which he drew himself up.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That he <i>never</i> would. Do you think so little of my talent, that you
+believe it could only force open its path with you, and through you? Do
+you think I should not have found my way alone, not alone have swung
+myself up to the present height? Ask my works about it! They will give
+you the reply. I should have gone sooner or later. That I went with
+you, became my doom, as that broke every bond between me and home, and
+also drew me upon paths which the man as well as the composer had
+better have avoided. For years you kept me in the intoxication of a
+life which never offered me even one hour's real contentment or true
+happiness, because you knew that when once I awoke your power would be
+all at an end. You might postpone it, hinder it never--the awaking came
+late, too late, perhaps; but still it came at last.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Beatrice leaned upon the marble chimney-piece by which she stood; her
+whole body trembled as with fever; this hour showed her indeed what she
+had long felt, without wishing to acknowledge to herself--that her
+power was in truth at an end.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And who do you think shall be the sacrifice to this 'awaking?'&quot; said
+she in a hollow voice. &quot;Take care, Rinaldo! You forsook your wife, and
+she bore it patiently--<i>I</i> shall not bear it. Beatrice Biancona does
+not allow herself to be sacrificed.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No, she would rather sacrifice.&quot; Reinhold stepped before her and
+looked her firmly in the face. &quot;You would plant the dagger--is it not
+true, Beatrice?--in yourself or me, all alike, if only your revenge
+were cooled? And if I seized the weapon from your hand, and returned
+repentant to you, you would open your arms to me again. You are right,
+Eleonore bore it more patiently; not a word, not a reproach restrained
+me, the cry of anguish was smothered in her heart. I did not hear even
+one sound of it; but at the moment in which I left her, I was the one
+rejected--my return was shut out for ever. And if I came to her now, in
+all the brilliancy of my fame and success--if I laid laurels, gold,
+honour, everything at her feet, and myself also--it would be in vain;
+she would not forgive me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He broke off, as if he had said too much already. Beatrice did not
+reply one word; not a sound came from her lips; only her eyes spoke a
+gloomy, unnatural language; but Reinhold did not understand it this
+time, or would not understand it.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You see this separation is irretrievable,&quot; said he, more quietly. &quot;I
+repeat it, you have nothing to fear from that side. It was you, not I,
+who provoked this scene. It is not well to awaken the ghosts of the
+past--at least not between us. Let them rest.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He left her and went into the adjoining room, where he busied himself
+with the music lying on the piano, or seemed to busy himself with it,
+to escape further conversation.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Let them rest!&quot; that was said so gloomily, so quietly, and yet it
+sounded like scorn from his lips. Could he not even banish the ghosts
+of the past? And he demanded it of the woman who saw menaced by them
+what she deemed to be her highest good, her love for him, which,
+notwithstanding all that had passed between Rinaldo and herself in the
+course of years, still clung to him with all the strength of her inward
+being; whose glowing, passionate nature had in love as in hate never
+known any bounds. Whoever saw Beatrice now, as she raised herself
+slowly, and gazed after him, must have known that she would not let
+them rest, nor would she rest herself; and Reinhold should have
+considered, when he opposed her so defiantly, that he did not stand
+alone against her revenge any longer, and that in this hour he had
+betrayed, only too well, by which means she could strike a deadly blow.
+The glances of evil token which flashed there did not menace him, but
+something else which he was unable to protect, because the right to do
+so was denied him--his wife and child!</p>
+<br>
+
+<br>
+
+<br>
+
+<br>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER IV.</h2>
+<br>
+
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I wish, Eleonore, we had stayed in the Villa Fiorina, and not
+undertaken our migration here,&quot; said Consul Erlau, as he stood still
+before his adopted daughter, whom he had surprised in tears on his
+unlooked-for entrance into her room. &quot;I see I have made you suffer far
+too much by it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Ella had soon effaced the traces of weeping, and now smiled with a
+calmness which might well have deceived a stranger.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Pray, uncle, do not be anxious on my account! We are here for your
+sake, and we will thank God if your recovery, which has begun so
+promisingly in the south, is completed here.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Still I wish that Dr. Conti were at any other place in the world,&quot;
+replied the Consul, annoyed, &quot;only not just in the town which we would
+avoid at all cost, and where I am obliged to put myself under his
+treatment. Poor child, I knew you were making a sacrifice for me in
+this journey; how great it is I only now am learning to see.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is no sacrifice, at least no longer now,&quot; said Ella, firmly. &quot;I
+only dreaded the possibility of a first meeting. Now this is overcome,
+and all the rest with it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Erlau examined her features enquiringly, and somewhat suspiciously.
+&quot;Indeed! then why have you wept?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Uncle, one cannot always control one's mood. I was cast down just
+now.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Eleonore!&quot; The Consul seated himself beside her, and took her hand in
+his. &quot;You know I have never been able to overcome the thought that this
+unhappy connection commenced in my house, and my only satisfaction was
+that this house could afford you a home afterwards. I hoped that now,
+when years lie between, when everything in and around you has so
+completely changed, the injury you once received would pain you no
+longer; and instead I must see that it continues to burn undiminished
+and unforgotten--that the old wounds are torn open afresh, that
+you--&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You are mistaken,&quot; interrupted Ella, hastily, &quot;you are quite mistaken,
+I--have long made an end of the past.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Erlau shook his head incredulously. &quot;As if you would ever show that you
+suffered! I know best what reticence and self-control are hidden under
+these fair plaits. You have often displayed more of it than you could
+answer for to your second father, but his sight is keener and goes
+deeper than that of others; and I tell you, Eleonore, you cannot be
+recognised since the day when that Rinaldo, regardless of all refusals,
+at last forced an interview upon you. What exactly passed between you I
+do not know to this day; it was trouble enough even to obtain the
+confession from you that he was with you. You are utterly inaccessible
+in such matters, but deny it as you may, you have become quite another
+person since that hour.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Nothing took place at all,&quot; persisted Ella, &quot;nothing of importance. He
+demanded to see the child, and I refused him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And who answers for it that he will not repeat the attempt?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Reinhold. You do not know him! I have dismissed him from my door; he
+will never pass it a second time. He understood everything, only not
+how to humble himself.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;At any rate he had tact enough to leave Mirando as soon as possible,&quot;
+said Erlau. &quot;This vicinity would have been unbearable for any length of
+time. But his withdrawal was not of much use, as then Marchese Tortoni
+sprang up, who raved so uninterruptedly to you about his friend that I
+felt obliged at last to give him a hint that this subject did not
+receive the slightest sympathy from us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Perhaps you did it too plainly,&quot; suggested Ella, softly. &quot;He had no
+conception of the wounds he touched, and your harsh repulse of it must
+have seemed remarkable to him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I do not care! Then he can obtain the commentary upon it from his
+much-admired friend. Were I to allow you to endure Signor Rinaldo's
+glorification for hours, certainly we were not much better off here.
+One cannot take up a newspaper, receive a visit, hold a conversation,
+without stumbling upon his name; every third word is Rinaldo. He seems
+to have infected the whole town with his tones and his new opera, which
+seems to be considered here as a sort of event of the world. Poor
+child! and you must be quiet under it all, must witness how this man
+regularly revels in victories and triumphs, how he has attained the
+zenith of success, and maintains it undisputed.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The young wife rested her head on her hand so that the latter shaded
+her face.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Perhaps you deceive yourself after all. He may be celebrated and
+worshipped like no other--happy he is not.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am glad of it,&quot; said the Consul, violently, &quot;I am extremely glad of
+it. There would be no more justice or right in the world if he were.
+And that he has seen you, as you allow yourself to be seen now, does
+not conduce much to his happiness, I hope.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He had risen at the last words, and walked up and down the room with
+his old vivacity. A short silence followed, which Ella at last
+interrupted--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I want to beg something of you, dear uncle. Will you grant it me?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Erlau stopped. &quot;Gladly, my child. You know I cannot easily refuse you
+anything. What do you wish?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Ella had fixed her eyes on the ground, and did not look up while she
+spoke.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is that Rein--that Reinhold's latest work is to be performed the
+day after to-morrow.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes, to be sure, and then the adoration will become unendurable,&quot;
+growled Erlau. &quot;You wish to escape from the first commotion about it--I
+understand that, perfectly; we will drive into the mountains for a week
+or a fortnight. Dr. Conti must give me leave of absence for so long.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;On the contrary. I wanted to beg you--to go to the opera with me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Consul looked at her with a countenance full of the most intense
+astonishment.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What, Eleonore! I cannot have heard aright? You wish to go on that day
+to the theatre, which hitherto you have so decidedly avoided as soon as
+Rinaldo's name was connected with it?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Notwithstanding the shielding hand, one could see plainly how the deep
+red which coloured her cheeks rose to her temples, as she replied
+almost inaudibly--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I never ventured to enter the opera house at home, when <i>his</i> music
+reigned there. I always felt as if every one's eyes would be directed
+to me and seek me, even in the darkest background of our box. In your
+drawing-rooms and in those of our acquaintances I seldom or never heard
+his compositions. People avoided them whenever I was present; people
+knew what had taken place, and tried to spare me in every way. I never
+attempted to break through this fence of shielding consideration which
+you all drew around me. Perhaps I was too great a coward to do so,
+perhaps also, too much embittered. Now,&quot; she raised herself suddenly,
+with a violent motion, and her voice gained perfect firmness, &quot;now
+I have seen Reinhold again, now I will learn to know him in his
+works--him and her.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Erlau's astonishment continued; apparently this affair surprised him in
+the highest degree, but it was very evident that he was not accustomed
+to refuse his favourite anything, even if it seemed to him to be a
+point requiring consideration. For the present, however, he was
+relieved from an immediate consent, as the servant entered with the
+announcement that Dr. Conti had just driven up, and that Captain
+Almbach also was in the drawing-room.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Certainly, Herr Captain Almbach is most enviable in his want of
+diffidence,&quot; said the Consul. &quot;Notwithstanding all that has passed
+between you and his brother, he asserts his right as a relation just
+the same as if nothing had occurred. Hugo Almbach is the only person in
+the world who could do this.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Do you not like his visits?&quot; asked Ella.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I!&quot; Erlau smiled. &quot;Child, you know that he has won me as completely as
+every one else whom he chooses to win, perhaps only excepting my
+Eleonore, for whom he seems to entertain quite incredible respect.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He then took his adopted daughter's arm, and led her to the
+drawing-room. The medical visit did not last long, and Hugo in about
+half-an-hour also quitted the Erlau's house, which he was wont to visit
+frequently. Whether Reinhold knew of it could not be decided, certainly
+he suspected it; but there appeared to be a tacit agreement between the
+brothers not to touch upon this subject. It was not Captain Almbach's
+way to force himself into a confidence which was determinedly and
+continuedly withheld from him, and therefore he followed Reinhold's
+example, who observed utter silence about the meeting in the <i>locanda</i>.
+and never mentioned his wife's or child's names again, since he knew
+they were in his neighbourhood. What might be really hidden beneath the
+impenetrable reticence, Hugo could not discover, but he was convinced
+that it did not arise from indifference.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Captain Almbach had reached his brother's dwelling, and entered his own
+room, where he found Jonas, who seemed to be waiting for him. In the
+sailor's appearance to-day there was decidedly something unusual; his
+wonted phlegm had given way to a certain restlessness, with which he
+waited until his master had taken off hat and gloves and sat down.
+Hardly was this done, than he came forward and planted himself close
+beside the Captain's chair.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What is it then, Jonas?&quot; asked the latter, becoming attentive. &quot;You
+look as if you meant to make a speech.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That is what I wish to do,&quot; said Jonas, as he placed himself in an
+attitude half solemn, half confused.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Indeed? That is something new. I was always under the impression
+hitherto that you would prove a most valuable acquisition to a Trappist
+monastery. If, however, by means of all the classical recollections
+here, the spirit of oratory has come to you also, I rejoice at it.
+Begin then, I will listen.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Herr Captain Almbach&quot;--the sailor's spirit of oratory did not seem to
+be sufficiently developed, as for the present he could not get beyond
+those three words, and instead of continuing, he gazed persistently and
+fixedly on the floor as if he wished to count the Mosaic stones.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Listen, Jonas, I am suspicious about you,&quot; said Hugo, impressively. &quot;I
+have been suspicious about you for more than a week, you do not growl
+any more; you cast no more furious looks at the padrona and her maids;
+you sometimes lay your face in folds, such as any one with power of
+imagination might consider the first feeble attempt at a smile. I
+repeat it, these are highly serious symptoms, and I am prepared for the
+worst.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Jonas seemed to discover that he must express himself somewhat more
+clearly. He made an energetic start, and actually completed half a
+sentence.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Herr Captain Almbach, there are men--&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;A most indisputable fact, which I do not in the remotest degree intend
+to attack. So there are men--well, go on.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Who may like women,&quot; continued Jonas.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And others who may not like them,&quot; added the Captain, as a second
+pause ensued; &quot;an equally undeniable fact, of which Herr Captain Hugo
+Almbach's seaman, William Jonas, of the 'Ellida,' is offered as an
+example.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I did not wish to say that exactly,&quot; responded the sailor, whom this
+arbitrary continuation of his evidently studied speech quite
+disconcerted. &quot;I only meant to say that there are men who appear to be,
+no one knows how unkind towards women, and yet at heart are not so at
+all, because they think nothing about them.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I believe that is a very flattering illustration of my character,&quot;
+remarked Hugo. &quot;But now tell me, for Heaven's sake, what do you purpose
+with all these prologues?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Jonas drew several long breaths; the next words appeared to be too hard
+for him. At last he said, stammeringly--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Herr Captain Almbach, I know, of course, best what you really
+are--and--and--I know a young woman.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A smile, which he suppressed with difficulty, quivered about Captain
+Almbach's lips, but he compelled himself to remain serious.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Really!&quot; said he, coolly, &quot;that is, indeed, a remarkable event for
+you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And I will bring her to you,&quot; continued Jonas.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Now Captain Almbach began to laugh aloud. &quot;Jonas, I believe you are not
+sane. What in the world am I to do with this young woman. Shall I marry
+her?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You shall do nothing with her,&quot; explained the sailor, with an injured
+countenance. &quot;You are only to look at her.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;A very modest pleasure,&quot; scoffed Hugo. &quot;Who then is the lady
+concerned, and what necessity requires me to look at her?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is the little Annunziata, Signora Biancona's lady's maid,&quot; replied
+Jonas, who now became more fluent of speech. &quot;A poor, quiet young
+thing, without father or mother. She has only been a couple of months
+with the Signora, and at first all went well with her; but there is a
+man,&quot; the sailor clenched his fist with intense rage, &quot;called Gianelli,
+and he is the conductor; he follows the poor thing at every step, and
+never leaves her in peace. She has repulsed him once very roughly, and
+on that account he maligned her to the Signora, and since then the
+Signora is so unkind and violent to her, that she can stand it no
+longer. In <i>that</i> house, indeed, she does not see much good, and
+therefore she shall leave, and must leave, and I shall not allow her to
+remain any longer.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You appear to be very fully informed about that little Annunziata,&quot;
+remarked Hugo, dryly. &quot;She is an Italian; have you learned all these
+details by pantomimic means?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The Signora's servant helped us now and then, when we could not get
+on,&quot; confessed Jonas, quite openly. &quot;But he speaks horrible German, and
+I do not like him putting his finger into everything. Without reference
+to this, though, she shall get away from the whole crew; she must
+absolutely go into a German house.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;On account of the morals,&quot; added Hugo.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes, and besides on account of learning German. She cannot speak a
+single word of it, and it is really sad when people cannot understand
+one another. So I thought--you often go to Herr Consul Erlau, Herr
+Captain Almbach--perhaps young Frau Erlau may want a maid, and in such
+a rich household it cannot matter one person more or less, if you were
+to put in a good word for Annunziata.&quot; He stopped and looked
+beseechingly at his master.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will speak to the lady,&quot; said Captain Almbach, &quot;and at all events it
+will be better for you only to introduce your <i>protegée</i> after I have
+had a decided answer; I will also look at her then. But one thing more,
+Jonas&quot;--he put on a grave expression--&quot;I presume that nothing
+influences you in the whole matter, excepting pity for the poor
+persecuted child?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Only pure pity, Herr Captain,&quot; assured the sailor, with such honest
+frankness that Hugo was obliged to bite his lips, so as not to give way
+to renewed laughter.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I really believe he is capable of imagining that,&quot; murmured he, and
+then added aloud, &quot;I am glad to hear it. I was convinced of it from the
+first; as you know, Jonas, <i>we</i> shall never marry!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No, Herr Captain,&quot; answered the sailor; but the answer sounded
+somewhat wanting in heartiness.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Because we think nothing of women,&quot; said Hugo, with immovable
+seriousness. &quot;Beyond pity and gratitude, the story never goes; then we
+sail away, and regret remains with them.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">This time the sailor made no reply, but he looked at his master as if
+much taken aback.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And it is indeed most fortunate that it is so,&quot; ended Captain Almbach,
+with great emphasis. &quot;Women on our 'Ellida!' Heaven preserve us from
+them!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">With which he left Jonas and went out of the room. The latter looked
+after him with an expression in which it was difficult to decide
+whether it consisted more of annoyance or sadness; finally, however,
+the latter sentiment seemed to prevail, as he let his head droop, and
+uttered a sigh, saying, in an undertone--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes, certainly, she is a woman also--more's the pity!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Hugo had gone across into his brother's study, where he found him
+alone. The piano stood open, but Reinhold himself lay extended on
+the couch, his head thrown back on the cushions. The face, with its
+half-closed eyes and high forehead, with its dark hair falling over it,
+looked alarmingly pale. It was an attitude, not of repose, but of the
+most supreme fatigue and exhaustion, and he barely changed it at his
+brother's entrance.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Reinhold, really this is too bad of you,&quot; said the latter, coming up
+to him. &quot;Half the town is in commotion with your opera; in the theatre
+everything is in a whirl; people openly fight for tickets. His
+Excellency the Director does not know where his head is, and Donna
+Beatrice is in a regular state of nervous excitement. And you, the real
+promoter of all this disturbance, dream away here in <i>dolce far
+niente</i>. as if there were no public nor operas in the world.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Reinhold turned his head towards the new comer with a feeble,
+indifferent movement; his face showed that his dreams had been anything
+but sweet.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You were at the rehearsal?&quot; asked he. &quot;Did you see Cesario?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The Marchese? Certainly, although he was no more at the rehearsal than
+I was. This time he preferred to give a performance himself in the
+higher equestrian art; I have just paid a high tribute of admiration to
+his bravery.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Cesario? How so?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, he rode no less than three times up and down the same street,
+and regularly under a certain balcony; let his horse curvet so
+senselessly that one dreaded an accident every moment. He will break
+his own and his beautiful animal's neck too, if he should try that
+often. Unfortunately this time mine was the only, probably not much
+wished for, physiognomy which he saw at the window.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The evidently irritable tone of these words caught Reinhold's
+attention--he half raised himself up.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;At which window?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Hugo bit his lips; in his anger he had quite forgotten to whom he
+spoke. His brother remarked his hesitation.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Do you mean the Erlau's house?&quot; asked he, quickly. &quot;It seems to me you
+often visit it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Sometimes, at least,&quot; was Captain Almbach's quick response. &quot;You know
+I have always enjoyed the privilege of neutrality there; even when the
+battle was raging most fiercely in my uncle's house, I have asserted
+this old privilege there, and it is tacitly recognised by both
+parties.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Reinhold had raised himself entirely, but the eagerness had quite
+disappeared from his features; in its place was a dark expression of
+enquiry, as he said--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then Cesario has also the <i>entrée</i> of the Erlau's house? Of course you
+introduced him there.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes, I was so--stupid,&quot; said Captain Almbach, speaking angrily,
+&quot;and I seem to have caused something very charming by it. We had hardly
+left Mirando when Don Cesario--who cannot resolve to sacrifice his
+freedom---who rides past the only lady in the neighbourhood without
+looking at her even--loses no time on the strength of that introduction
+in making himself agreeable at the Villa Fiorina; and this was done,
+the Herr Consul tells me, in so pleasant and modest a manner that it
+was impossible to repulse him; the more so, as our departure from
+Mirando removed the only cause of their seclusion. Then he was
+fortunate enough to discover Herr Doctor Conti, who was making his
+<i>villegiatura</i> somewhere in the vicinity, and bring him to the Herr
+Consul. The doctor's treatment produced results beyond all expectation,
+and Don Cesario is almost looked upon in the family as the saviour
+of life, which he knows how to make use of. Trust one of those
+women-haters! They are the worst of all; Jonas has just given me a
+speaking example of it. He has started a wonderful theory of pity, in
+which he believes firmly as in the Gospel; but all the same, it has
+caught him hopelessly, and the aristocratic Marchese Tortoni is on the
+same path.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It could not have escaped any calm observer, that under the Captain's
+mocking speech, which was usually only dictated by mischief, a
+bitterness lay concealed which, with all his scoffing, he could not
+quite control; but Reinhold was far from calm. He had listened as if he
+would read every word from off his brother's lips, and at the last
+remark he started up wildly.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;On what path? What do you mean by it?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Hugo stepped back as if struck, &quot;My God, Reinhold, how can you fly out
+like that? I only meant--&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It concerns Ella, does it not?&quot; interrupted Reinhold, with the same
+violence. &quot;To whom else can these attentions be paid?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Certainly, to Ella,&quot; said Captain Almbach. It was the first time for
+months that this name had been mentioned between them. &quot;And just for
+this reason, it can and must be indifferent to you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Simple as the remark was, it seemed to hit Reinhold unexpectedly hard.
+He strode up and down the room once or twice, and at last stopped
+before his brother.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Cesario has no idea of the truth,&quot; said he, in a suppressed voice;
+&quot;he made some enthusiastic remarks to me at the beginning. I may have
+betrayed to him, involuntarily, how much they pained me, as since then
+he has not touched the topic again.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Erlau appears to have given him a similar hint,&quot; added Hugo. &quot;He tried
+to find out something about it from me--if any and what connection
+existed between you and that family. I naturally avoided it, but he
+seems to suspect some former enmity between you and Erlau.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Reinhold looked down gloomily. &quot;This connection will indeed not long
+remain a secret. Beatrice knows it already, and, as I fear, from a very
+unsafe source, whence no silence can be expected. Cesario must learn it
+sooner or later, after what you have just disclosed to me. He is
+romantic enough to take anything of the sort seriously, and give
+himself up, with his whole soul, to a hopeless passion.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Captain Almbach leaned with folded arms against the piano, a slight
+pallor lay upon his face, and his voice trembled faintly, as he
+answered--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Who tells you that it is hopeless?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Hugo, that is an insult,&quot; stormed Reinhold. &quot;Do you forget that
+Eleonore is my wife?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;She was,&quot; said Captain Almbach, emphasising the word strongly. &quot;You
+surely think now as little of asserting such rights as she would be
+inclined to admit them.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Reinhold was silent. He knew best with what determination even the
+slightest appearance of any right was denied him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You have both been satisfied with mere separation,&quot; continued Hugo,
+&quot;without requiring judicial divorce. You did not need it, and what
+restrains Ella from it I understand only too well. In such a case final
+decisions as to the possession of the boy must be made. She knew that
+you would never quite sacrifice your paternal rights, and trembled at
+the thought of giving you the boy even for a time. Your tacit
+resignation of him was sufficient for her; she preferred to give up all
+satisfaction, in order to remain in undisturbed possession of her
+child.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Reinhold stood there as if struck by lightning. The glow of agitation
+which had so lately coloured his brow disappeared; he had become deadly
+pale again, as he asked, in a suppressed voice--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And this--this you think was the sole reason?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;So far as I know Ella, the sole one which could prevent her completing
+the step which you had commenced.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And you think that Cesario has hopes?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I do not know it,&quot; said Hugo, seriously, &quot;but we both know that
+nothing stands in the way of Ella's freedom, if she were really
+disposed to assert it still. You forsook her, gave her up entirely for
+years, and all the world knows why it was done, and what kept you
+continuously away from her. She has not only law, but also public
+opinion on her side, and I fear the latter would compel you to leave
+the boy with her. Beatrice stands terribly in the way of your paternal
+rights.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You think that Cesario has hopes?&quot; repeated Reinhold, but this time
+the words sounded moody and full of menace.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I believe that he loves her, loves her passionately, and that sooner
+or later he will try to woo her. He will then certainly learn that the
+imaginary widow was the wife of his friend, and still bears that
+friend's name, but I doubt if this will exercise any influence upon
+him, as not the slightest shadow falls upon Ella. Only your friendship
+may receive an irrecoverable blow; but even without this, it would be
+at an end, so soon as passion speaks; consider this, Reinhold, and do
+not let yourself be carried away to any rash act. You broke your
+bonds in order to set yourself free. Thereby you also made Eleonore
+free--perhaps for another.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Captain Almbach's voice fell at the last words, and, as if to suppress
+or conceal some violent emotion, he turned quickly to depart. Although
+his brother's agitation, whom he left alone, did not escape him, he had
+not the remotest suspicion of the firebrand which his words threw into
+the other's breast.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">If Reinhold had shown almost nothing but fatigue and indifference
+lately to those around him, if a sensation often overcame him that for
+him there was an end of life and love, this moment proved that the same
+wild passion could still rage in his heart which had once drawn the
+young artist away from his bonds at home; and the manner in which the
+storm had been loosed, betrayed, if not to others yet to himself, that
+which hitherto he <i>would</i> not know, and which now disclosed itself to
+him with merciless distinctness. The defiance and bitterness with which
+he had armed himself against the wife who dared to let him feel that he
+had once deeply offended her, and that she would now and never more
+pardon this offence, succumbed before the burning pain which suddenly
+blazed forth in his breast. But although his pride taught him to meet
+the coldness, indifference and irreconciliation with harshness, he
+still could not prevent it that so soon as the picture of his child
+rose before him its mother's form also stood by its side. Certainly it
+was no longer the same Ella, who a few months previously barely held a
+place in his recollection, but the woman, who on that evening, when for
+the first time he recognised what he had so frivolously given up, and
+what he had irretrievably lost, had shown him such an energetic will,
+and such a never dreamed of depth of feeling. Near the child's fair
+curly head there hovered, ever and ever, the face with those large,
+deep blue eyes, whose glance had struck him so annihilatingly. He did
+not confess to himself with what passion he clung to this picture, with
+what longing he dreamed away hours in these recollections; he did not
+even confess the thought which lay unexpressed in his soul, that the
+woman who still bore his name, who was the mother of his child,
+notwithstanding all that had happened, still belonged to him, and
+although he had forfeited the right of possession, at any rate no other
+dared approach her.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And now he must hear that another already stretched forth his hand to
+the prize, and offered everything to gain it. His brother's words
+unsparingly disclosed the motive, to which alone he owed it, that Ella
+had not answered his flight with letters of divorce. Only for the
+child's sake was she still called his wife; not because one trace of
+liking for him lingered in her heart. And if she were now to take the
+step once avoided; if on her side she removed the chain, now when a
+Cesario offered her his hand, who could prevent her; who could blame
+the woman, who after the lapse of years sought at last in a purer,
+better love, recompense for the treachery her husband had exercised
+towards her? The danger did not lie in the fact that Marchese Tortoni,
+who was handsome, rich, and who, belonging to one of the noblest
+families, was the aim of so many aspirations, could raise his wife to a
+brilliant position; that could only come under Erlau's consideration;
+but Reinhold knew that Cesario, with his noble and thoroughly pure
+character, with his glowing enthusiasm for everything beautiful and
+ideal, might indeed win the heart of an Eleonore--yes, must win it--if
+this heart were still free; and this conviction robbed him of all
+self-possession. There was once an hour in which the young wife had
+lain full of despair on her knees by her child's cradle, with the
+annihilating consciousness that at that moment her husband was
+forsaking her, his child, and his home for another's sake--that hour
+now revenged itself on him, who was guilty of it, revenged itself in
+the words, which stood as if written in letters of flame before his
+soul--&quot;Therefore you made her free also--perhaps for another.&quot;</p>
+<br>
+
+<br>
+
+<br>
+
+<br>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER V.</h2>
+<br>
+
+
+<p class="normal">A storm of applause rolled through the opera house, and the curtain had
+not even been drawn up as yet. It was for the overture, whose last
+tones had just resounded. The theatre was filled to overflowing in
+every place, with the sole exception of one small proscenium box close
+to the stage; this was occupied by a single elderly gentleman, probably
+some rich eccentric, whom it pleased to procure by lavish expenditure
+of money the entire possession of a box, as on such an evening it would
+otherwise hardly have been obtained. Every where else the dazzlingly
+lighted spaces and tiers of boxes, with their rich parterres of ladies,
+offered a brilliant and variegated picture. The world of artists, as
+well as aristocracy, was fully represented. All which the town
+possessed in the way of beauties, celebrities and persons of
+distinction, had appeared to prepare a new triumph for the much admired
+favourite of society. And was this merely what it was all for? No young
+composer was offering his work timidly to the approbation or
+disapprobation of the public: a recognised and undisputed sovereign in
+the realms of music stepped before the world with a new display of his
+talent, in order to gain a new conquest by it. This certainly lay
+written very plainly, although not as if it were agreeable, upon
+Maestro Gianelli's face, who conducted the orchestra. At the same time
+he did not venture to fail in zeal or attention. He knew only too well
+that if he attempted here, where of course a portion of the success
+depended upon him, to intrigue against the all-powerful Rinaldo, it
+must cost him his post, perhaps his entire future, as in such a case
+the disfavour of the public would be ensured to him. Therefore he did
+his duty to the fullest extent, and the overture was performed with
+perfect execution.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The curtain rustled, and in anticipation the composer received the
+homage of eager silence. Before the first act was half concluded there
+was not one of the audience who had not already forgiven Reinhold the
+tyranny with which he had disposed of all means in his hands, and
+insisted mercilessly on having his views carried out. The
+representation was in every respect perfect, and the scenery a
+masterwork. All felt that it was a different hand to that of the usual
+manager which had ruled here, and raised simple theatrical effects
+everywhere to artistic beauty; but all these external advantages
+disappeared before the all-attracting power of the work.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It was, perhaps, the most perfect which Rinaldo had ever composed in
+his own peculiar line, a line by many so much admired, and by so many
+others deplored. At all events this time he produced the very best in
+that style to which Beatrice's influence had drawn him; was it the
+highest which he could produce? This question was absorbed at present
+in the ringing applause with which the audience greeted this new
+creation of their favourite. Was it not Rinaldo again with all the
+fiery spirit of his genius, of which none could tell positively whether
+it were at home above, in the heights of idealism, or below in the
+depths of passion, and which roused again in men's hearts all feelings
+which lay between these two poles.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The storm raged over the northern heaths, and the billows surged
+against the coast. As mists are driven along the cliffs, so rose and
+fell the tones in chaotic confusion, until at last a dreamlike,
+beautiful melody dawned forth. But it only hovered like a fleeting
+vapoury picture over the whole, never completed, never ringing forth
+clear and full, and soon it was lost amid other sounds, which not so
+pure and sweet as it, yet attracted with a singularly strange charm.
+The mists separated, and out of them appeared the demon-like beautiful
+form, which was the chief performer and central figure of the whole
+opera. Loud acclamation greeted Signora Biancona's appearance on the
+stage. Beatrice showed to-day that she still understood how to be
+beautiful, as at the commencement of her career. What art may have done
+towards it was not now brought into consideration, enough that the
+apparition standing before the public was perfect in every respect. The
+half fantastic, half classic costume displayed her figure in all its
+grace, her dark curls flowed loosely over her shoulders, and her eyes
+gleamed with the old devouring fire. And now that voice was raised,
+which had been the admiration of almost all Europe, full and powerful,
+filling the extensive space--the singer still stood at the zenith of
+her beauty and artistic strength.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The melodies flowed forth, still more glowing, more fiery, and before
+the audience a picture of sounds was unfolded which seemed to borrow
+its colours, now from the brightest sunlight, now from the scorching
+heat of a crater. It pourtrayed the lost wild life of one whose cup was
+filled to the brim, and who drained it to the very dregs. This rushing
+forth beyond all bounds and limits, the volcanic glow of feelings, the
+goblinlike play with tones carried the hearers irresistibly away on the
+sea of passion, there to cast them adrift between shuddering and
+enchantment, between heaven and hell. At times, indeed, notes rang out
+like pæans of joy and triumph, but between were startling, harsh
+discords, and then again sounds of that first lost melody were wafted
+back, which ran through the entire opera like a soft, intensely painful
+yearning plaint. As a dream of love and happiness passes through the
+soul of man without ever descending to reality, so breathed and died
+these tones in the distance, while in the foreground stood ever and
+ever again the one figure, which Rinaldo had endowed with the highest
+dramatic power, of which he was a master like none other, which he had
+surrounded with all the magic of his melodies, whose sensual,
+entrancing charms were laid like a ban upon the listeners' souls.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Beatrice was, if any one, adapted to understand this music exactly in
+its innermost being and nature and to do it justice; she, whose
+peculiar element was passion, who, as an actress, had sought and found
+her triumph in it only. It rang out of every note of her singing,
+quivered out of every motion in her acting, which raised itself to a
+greater dramatic height than ever before, while she represented hate
+and love, devotion and despair, rage and revenge with life-like truth.
+It was as though this woman poured forth a stream of fire, which
+imparted itself to the audience, who, half charmed, half alarmed,
+followed her performance. Never yet had the singer been so entirely
+part of her task, never yet had she delivered it so perfectly as this
+time. No one guessed, indeed, for what prize she struggled, what urged
+her to employ her best powers. Was it not to win back <i>him</i>. whom
+already she had more than half lost! He had admired the actress before
+he had learned to love the woman, and the actress now called all the
+power of her talent to her aid, in order to maintain that of the woman.
+For the first time the storm of applause was indifferent to her, as it
+succeeded every scene; for the first time she did not care for the
+worship of the crowd; she only waited for the one glance of passionate
+rapture which had so often thanked her on such evenings--but to-day she
+waited in vain.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Signora Biancona surpasses herself tonight,&quot; said Marchese Tortoni,
+enthusiastically, to Captain Almbach, who was in his box. &quot;Often as I
+have admired her, I never saw her like this before.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Nor I,&quot; replied Hugo, monosyllabically.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Cesario looked at him in undisguised astonishment. &quot;That sounds very
+cool, Signor Capitano. Have you no other expression of admiration for
+this woman, who stands so close to your brother?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Hugo's countenance was indeed as cool as his tone, while he replied
+quietly, &quot;That is just Reinhold's taste. Sometimes our views lie very
+far apart. However, it would be unjust not to admire Signora Biancona
+to-night without reserve, and I do it, too--that is to say, from a
+spectator's point of view. Close to her, such a passion, beyond all
+reason, which seems to know no limits, would be rather unnatural. I can
+never quite dismiss the thought that one day Donna Beatrice will carry
+this truly masterful acting into reality, and could be a sort of Medea
+there also, who only breathes forth death and ruin. That she <i>can</i> do
+it, one sees by her eyes and--although I do not otherwise exactly
+belong to the timid class, I could not love such a woman.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And yet Reinhold's works require exactly this fiery representation,&quot;
+said the Marchese, reproachfully, &quot;and of that only a Biancona is
+capable.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes, to be sure, she has always been his doom,&quot; murmured Hugo, &quot;and he
+will never be free so long as this doom reigns over him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The two gentlemen had long since remarked Consul Erlau in the opposite
+stage box, and exchanged greetings with him. They never suspected that
+he was not alone any more than did others of the audience, as the lady
+who accompanied him sat far behind in the background of the box,
+entirely concealed by the folds of the half lowered curtain, but yet so
+that she could quite overlook the stage, and her companion, when he
+spoke to her, took the precaution of rising and stepping back also. She
+wished, evidently, to avoid being seen, and also to avoid a visit from
+the two gentlemen.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Ella had actually obtained the fulfilment of her wish by her indulgent
+adopted father. So far she knew but few, and only the unimportant
+compositions of her husband, several songs and fantasias, nothing else.
+The peculiar field of his labours and its results--the opera--was
+unknown to her. In consequence of the deadly wound inflicted upon her,
+she had never been able to conquer herself sufficiently to witness the
+triumphs which his operas obtained in her native town, those triumphs
+which were founded on the ruins of her life's happiness; and what she
+learned from the newspapers, or through strangers to whom her near
+connection with the admired composer was not known, only plunged the
+dagger deeper into her soul. Now, for the first time, the tone poet,
+Rinaldo, appeared before her in the most genial of his works, now she
+learned to know the power of those notes which so often had conquered
+friends and foes, and even carried away opponents to admiration, and
+the effect was overpowering. Half bent forward, listening breathlessly,
+the young wife followed every note of the music; she was now still
+capable, amid all the beauties which developed themselves before her,
+of gazing into the dark depths which were disclosed therein. For the
+first time she understood her husband's character entirely and wholly,
+this glowing artist's nature with all its contradictions, with its
+storms, tempests and struggles; for the first time she comprehended
+what the deeply injured wife <i>would</i> not comprehend until now, the
+inner need of nature which compelled Reinhold to tear himself loose
+from the confined fetters of provincial every-day life and to follow
+the call of his genius, which made this catastrophe for him a struggle
+between life and death.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">That he also broke those bonds, which under every circumstance ought
+to have been held sacred by him, that he sacrificed the duties of a
+father and a husband, who forsook his own for what would have been
+justifiable independence of a free man, could not be exonerated even by
+his genius; but in Ella's heart there now dawned, softly suggested, the
+question--what had she herself been in those days to her husband, that
+she should have required him to resist temptation, which came before
+him in the guise of a Beatrice Biancona, and what could she offer
+against a passion, whose glowing romance had, from the first, ruled the
+artist more than the man. The wife entrusted to him was then far too
+much oppressed with the burden of her education and surroundings, to be
+able to raise herself in any degree to his height; in her place there
+stood another in all the glory of her beauty and talent, and this other
+showed the young composer the path of liberty and fame. He had
+succumbed! Ella felt from the depths of her inmost heart that he would
+not have done so, could she have been to him then what she was to-day.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">For the last time the curtain was drawn up, and until the last note
+Reinhold showed that he had been true to himself. The finale was as
+grand as the entire opera, and created a thrilling effect. Yet the work
+was wanting in one thing, the highest, for which not all the brilliant
+flashes of genius could atone, namely, harmony with itself. It had no
+peace, and awoke none in the minds of the audience. The composer
+appeared to have infected his work with the conflict which lay
+unappeased in his own breast; it was after all but the despair of life,
+of happiness, of himself. When the nightlong tempest had raged until
+exhausted, no fluttering morning's red peeped forth, promising a new
+and better day; on the wide, dreary waste of waters only the wreck was
+driven about, and clinging to it the shipwrecked traveller reached his
+native coast at last--too late to be saved. When wearied and wounded to
+death he sinks down there; once more is heard completed, as if 'twere
+ghostly tones from the far off unapproachable distance, that dream-like
+melody for the first time ringing out full and perfect in death, and
+the notes fade and die softly, as the life-blood ebbs away.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The reception of this opera by the audience far surpassed any success
+which Rinaldo had ever gained. Surely this music and performance were
+certain of approbation from a southern public. There every spark took
+fire, there each flame ignited and spread from one to another. One
+would have imagined the applause must have exhausted itself at last,
+the acclamations must have moderated themselves, but to-day even the
+most exalted enthusiasm appeared capable of rising still higher. After
+the close of each act, after every scene, it broke forth anew, and
+ended at last in a regular uproar with which the whole house demanded
+the composer's appearance most tumultuously.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Signor Rinaldo let them wait long before he acceded to this demand, he
+allowed Signora Biancona to come forward alone, again and again, in
+despite of all the stormy cries which were for him. Only at the end of
+the opera, when the calls resembled a riot and the enthusiasm could no
+longer be controlled, only then did he show himself and was greeted in
+such a manner by the audience as must have satisfied the most
+immeasurable ambition.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Proudly and calmly Reinhold stepped on to the stage; he stood almost
+immovable amid the enthusiastic acclamations. He had long since
+learned to accept all triumphs as something due to him, and great
+as were to-day's, not for one moment did they deprive him of his
+self-possession. His dark eyes swept slowly along the rows of boxes,
+but suddenly remained fascinated at a certain point. It was as though
+an electric shock had at once passed through his whole being, he
+started so violently, and his glance flashed--that glance of passionate
+delight for which Beatrice tonight had in vain laid out all the power
+of her talent; and if the fair head which had only become visible for
+one moment did disappear again at the next, yet he knew who was
+concealed behind the curtains of the box, who was witness of his
+triumph.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Eleonore, that was imprudent!&quot; said Erlau, also retreating from the
+balustrade. &quot;You leaned too far forward. You were seen.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The young wife made no reply; she stood erect, both hands grasping
+the back of the seat from which she had risen in perfect
+self-forgetfulness. The large eyes, full of tears, were still directed
+unabashed to the stage where Reinhold just then came forward again to
+thank the audience, that cheering excited crowd, for whom he was the
+sole centre of attraction. All the thousand eyes were fixed upon him
+alone; all these lips and hands announced his victory, and while
+wreaths and branches of laurel fell at his feet, his name, as if
+carried aloft by one surging wave, resounded back in a thousand echoes.</p>
+
+<hr class="W20">
+
+<p class="normal">At the ---- Embassy a large <i>soirée</i> took place, the first
+entertainment of its kind for the season. A numerous assembly of guests
+moved through the magnificent apartments of the ambassadorial hotel.
+Trains swept and uniforms flashed in the rooms beaming with light and
+scented with the perfume of flowers; near charming ladies' faces and
+distinguished wearers of orders might be seen many grave, noteworthy
+figures in simple civilian's dress, and amongst all these well-known
+forms and names, many foreign ones were mixed, who, according to their
+appearance and title, claimed more or less attention, to lose
+themselves again in the throng of guests.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Reinhold and Captain Almbach were also amongst those invited; the
+former was, as usual, the object of flattery and compliments from all
+sides, although demonstrated rather less noisily than so lately in the
+theatre. Reinhold had for long been considered one of the greatest
+celebrities in society. His new opera made him quite the lion of the
+season, and nowhere could he show himself without being surrounded and
+congratulated by every one present.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The charming representative of his work, Signora Biancona, shared this
+universal attention with him. Unfortunately, this time it was
+impossible to express the admiration of both at the same time, as they
+seemed rather to avoid than seek each other. Observant lookers-on
+declared that some slight rupture must have occurred between them, as
+they had arrived separately and never once drew together. Nevertheless
+the actress was continually surrounded with admiration, due, probably,
+in no small degree to her beauty. Beatrice understood perfectly how to
+&quot;drape&quot; herself for the drawing-room as well as for the stage, and if
+her toilette generally displayed something fantastic, it harmonised so
+peculiarly with her style of appearance that she only appeared the more
+fascinating. The singer preferred black, like many of her country
+women, and had selected it again to-day, but the dress composed of
+velvet, satin and lace was still most extravagantly magnificent, and
+rich jewels glistened on the dark ground. Single crimson flowers,
+apparently scattered carelessly here and there in her hair, seemed to
+fasten the black lace veil, and with these the Italian's dark
+complexion and burning flash of her eyes, formed a whole, which if
+intended to create an effect, certainly attained this result in the
+highest degree.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ah, Herr Almbach, so I find you here?&quot; asked Lord Elton, who, glad to
+find any one with whom he could speak English, came up to Captain
+Almbach. &quot;I wanted to see you for several days. Your brother's new
+opera----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;For mercy's sake, my Lord, do not talk about that!&quot; interrupted Hugo,
+with a gesture of horror, &quot;since the day of its performance I have been
+nearly plagued to death with my brother's opera; everybody feels in
+duty bound to congratulate me too. How often have I wished for a
+revolution, an earthquake, or at least a slight outbreak of Vesuvius,
+so that at least something else may be talked of in society.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Lord Elton shook his head half-laughingly, half-disapprovingly. &quot;Herr
+Almbach, you should not speak so recklessly, if a stranger heard you he
+might misunderstand you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh, I have amused myself several times by getting rid of some of his
+worst admirers by such expressions of my sentiments,&quot; said Hugo, quite
+unconcerned. &quot;I do not feel obliged to offer myself upon the altar of
+my brother's popularity by listening to their speeches. How Reinhold
+can endure this triumph so long, I cannot conceive. Artist natures must
+be very peculiarly organised in this respect; my sailor's nerves would
+have given way long since.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Lord Elton seemed to enjoy the Captain's humour again to-day; he
+remained steadily at his side, and was a silent, but yet very attentive
+listener to all the remarks which Hugo as usual poured forth
+mercilessly upon every known and unknown person.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;If I only knew why Marchese Tortoni suddenly makes such a comet-like
+course through the room,&quot; mocked he; &quot;that door seems to be the magnet
+which attracts him irresistibly--ah! yes, now indeed I can understand
+this move.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The last words sounded so unmistakably angry, that Lord Elton also
+looked attentively at the entrance. There appeared Consul Erlau with
+Ella on his arm. Marchese Tortoni was immediately at her side, and all
+three passed through the doorway. The lady wore an apparently simple
+white costume, but one could see that Erlau liked to display himself as
+a millionaire, even so far as his adopted daughter was concerned. The
+white lace dress, which floated so lightly around Ella's delicate
+figure, far surpassed in costliness most of those heavy velvet and
+satin robes which rustled through the room, and the row of pearls which
+adorned her neck was of such enormous value, that many of the sparkling
+jewels were as nothing beside it. Her fair head merely wore its natural
+ornament; no diamond, not even a flower, decorated the rich blonde
+plaits, whose faint golden glimmer harmonised so wondrously well with
+the delicate pink colour of her complexion. That figure required no
+studied artifice of the toilet to prove itself beautiful, it was so
+without any such aid, and if the ladies' glances soon discovered what
+cost was concealed under this seemingly simple costume, the gentlemen
+had no less keen eyes for the poetry of the apparition which sailed
+past them.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The three had arrived in the middle of the room, when, by chance, one
+of the groups in whose midst Reinhold had been, suddenly broke up, and
+he himself appeared standing almost immediately opposite to his wife.
+It was not the first encounter of this kind between the husband and
+wife, and they must always be prepared for the possibility of meeting
+on such occasions. And so Ella seemed to be; only for a moment did her
+arm tremble on that of her companion, and a fleeting colour came and
+went in her cheeks; then, however, the large eyes swept calmly on, and
+she turned to the Marchese, who was telling her the names of some of
+the persons present. Reinhold, on the contrary, stood as powerless as
+if he had forgotten everything around him. Although his wife's present,
+appearance was no longer strange to him, yet she looked quite different
+by the dim lamp-light of the garden room at Villa Fiorina, in the
+gloomy, rainy light of the verandah on that stormy day, and in the
+half-dark background of the opera box. He had never seen her as
+to-night, in the dazzling flood of light in the saloon, in the airy
+pale dress; and, despite the place and surroundings, it came wafted to
+him, as a recollection of that dream-like morning hour at Mirando, when
+the sea broke so deeply blue beneath the castle terrace, and the scent
+of flowers arose from the gardens, while the white figure leaned
+against the marble parapet--certainly her face was turned from him
+then, but now it was turned to another. At the sight of Cesario, who
+still maintained his place by her side, dream and recollection
+vanished; before Reinhold rose his brother's words which had robbed him
+of all peace almost ever since that conversation. &quot;Perhaps for
+another,&quot; resounded in his heart. An ardent, threatening glance fell
+upon Cesario; returning to the circle he had barely left, he withdrew
+with a violent movement from the Marchese's greeting and address.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The latter looked at him astounded. He had not the remotest idea of the
+cause of this sudden avoidance, but he suspected for long already, that
+more than enmity only, as he had imagined, lay between Reinhold and
+Erlau. It had not escaped him that some secret connection had taken
+place between Ella and his friend, and to-day's encounter confirmed
+this notion only too strongly. Cesario was too proud to take refuge in
+espionage like Beatrice, and so he endured an uncertainty, whose
+explanation he had as yet no right to require of Ella or the Consul,
+and which Reinhold would not explain to him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The German merchant was almost a stranger in the gathering, yet his
+companion's appearance soon began to create a sensation. Erlau had, to
+be sure, knitted his brows at the unexpected sight of Reinhold, but
+when he perceived that Ella remained apparently quite calm, the meeting
+rather gave him satisfaction. The Consul was evidently very proud of
+his adopted daughter, and noted the admiring glances and whispered
+remarks which followed her everywhere. He told himself that her former
+husband must see these glances, must hear these remarks, and with a
+scarcely concealed triumphant expression he walked on past the groups.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The throng of guests moving up and down, and the numerous reception
+rooms, made it easy for those to avoid each other who did not wish to
+meet.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">About a quarter of an hour after Erlau's arrival, Captain Almbach drew
+near to greet him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Are you here, Herr Captain Almbach?&quot; asked the Consul, astonished.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Hugo made a slightly ironical bow. &quot;I have the honour. Does it
+displease you so much?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Certainly not! You know I am always pleased to see you; but out of our
+own house one only meets you in your brother's company. It appears
+impossible to go anywhere in society without running up against Signor
+Rinaldo.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He is intimate with the master of the house,&quot; explained Hugo.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Naturally,&quot; growled the Consul. &quot;I should like to find one circle that
+does not adore him, and in which he does not reign. I could not refuse
+our Ambassador's invitation, and wished, too, to show my poor Eleonore
+something more than merely a sick-room. Have you spoken to her?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Of course,&quot; said Captain Almbach, looking across the room where Ella
+was standing engaged in conversation with the Marchese, Lord Elton, and
+some ladies; &quot;that is to say as much as Marchese Tortoni made it
+possible for me to do so. He claims the lion's share of the
+conversation. I retire modestly.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes, my dear Herr Captain, you must accustom yourself to that,&quot;
+laughed Erlau. &quot;In society Ella is seldom at liberty to converse with
+one alone. I wish you could see her do the honours of my drawing-room.
+Here, we are almost entire strangers, otherwise I assure you Marchese
+Tortoni and Lord Elton would not be the only ones who would annoy you
+in this way.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Ella in the meanwhile had finished her conversation, and left the group
+with a slight bow, in order to return to her adopted father. As the
+Marchese, much to his displeasure, was detained by one of the ladies,
+Ella was crossing the room quite alone, when suddenly, in the middle of
+it, a dark velvet dress pushed past her so closely and rudely that it
+seemed as if done on purpose. Looking up, she perceived close to her
+the beautiful but, at this moment, alarming countenance of Signora
+Biancona.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Ella betrayed neither fear nor confusion, she took her lace dress up
+slowly, and moved slightly aside. There lay on her part a quiet, but
+very determined protest against any contact in this movement, and
+Beatrice seemed to understand it only too well, still she came even
+nearer. Ella felt a hot breath close to her cheek, and heard the
+whispered words--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Signora, I beg for a moment's audience!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Ella answered with a look of astonishment and indignation. &quot;You--of
+me?&quot; asked she, equally low, but with an unmistakable intonation.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I beg for a few moments,&quot; repeated Beatrice, &quot;you will grant me them,
+Signora?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No?&quot; said the Italian's voice, in hardly concealed scorn. &quot;Then you
+fear me so much that you dare not be alone with me even for a short
+time?&quot;</p>
+<br>
+
+<br>
+
+<br>
+
+<br>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER VI.</h2>
+
+
+<p class="normal">Signora Biancona appeared to have touched the right chord. The bare
+possibility of such an idea broke down Ella's opposition. &quot;I will hear
+you,&quot; replied she, quickly, &quot;but where?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;In the little verandah at the right of the gallery. We shall be alone
+there; I will go first, you need only follow me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">With an almost imperceptible motion, Ella bowed her head. The few words
+had been exchanged so rapidly and softly, that no one had overheard a
+syllable, no one even noticed the close vicinity of the two ladies,
+who, at that moment, were only surrounded by strangers; therefore, none
+remarked it when Signora Biancona immediately afterwards disappeared
+from the room, and Ella a few minutes later followed her example.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The gallery, adorned with statues and paintings, next to the
+reception-room was almost empty. Only few guests had sought the cooler
+apartment, at the end of which a glass door led into a half-open
+verandah, which by day probably offered an extensive view over the
+surrounding gardens, but tonight had been included in the entertaining
+rooms, as it also had been decorated with flowering and foliage plants,
+and if not so brilliantly lighted as the saloons, yet was sufficiently
+so; at any rate it was quite empty, and the half-hidden room, lying
+somewhat apart, which was unknown to most of the guests, offered the
+possibility of an undisturbed conversation.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Beatrice was already there when Ella's lace dress rustled through the
+doorway, but the young wife remained very close to it, without
+advancing even a single step beyond. With just the same unbending,
+proud bearing which she had shown at the first meeting in the
+<i>locanda</i>. did she now await the commencement of this half-compulsory
+interview. The Italian's eyes hung with a truly devouring expression on
+the white figure which stood opposite to her, flooded with the light of
+the lamps, and whose beauty moved her to the bitterest hatred.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Signora Eleonore Almbach!&quot; began she at last, &quot;I regret having to
+explain to you that your <i>incognito</i> is already betrayed. For the
+present only to me, but I do not believe that it can be long
+maintained.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And upon whom would it fall?&quot; asked Ella quietly. &quot;I did not spare
+myself when I assumed this <i>incognito</i>.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Whom then? Perhaps Rinaldo?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I do not know Signor Rinaldo.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The words sounded so icily positive, that it was impossible to
+entertain any doubt as to what she meant to express, and Beatrice was
+silenced for a moment by them. It was quite beyond her to understand
+the pride which could not even forgive a Rinaldo for a breach of faith
+once made.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Indeed, I was not prepared for this denial,&quot; replied she. &quot;If
+Rinaldo--&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You wished to speak to me,&quot; interrupted Ella, &quot;and I promised to
+listen to you. That the decision has cost me something, I need hardly
+explain to you; at least I did not expect to hear this name from you,
+nor do I wish it. Let our conversation be as short as possible. What
+have you to say to me?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Above all, I have to beg you to employ a different tone in our
+interview,&quot; said Beatrice, with irritation. &quot;You are speaking to
+Beatrice Biancona, whose name is surely known to you in other ways than
+merely through our personal connection with one another, and who may
+indeed endure hatred and enmity on the part of an opponent, but not the
+contempt you are pleased to express.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Ella remained perfectly unmoved at this demand. She stepped a little
+aside, under cover of the tall foliage plants, so that she might not be
+seen from the gallery, and then turned again to the speaker.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I did not seek this interview. It was you, Signora, who to some extent
+forced me to it, therefore you must allow me to preserve the tone which
+I deem to be suitable towards you; none other is at my disposal.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A glance of wild, deadly hatred shot out of Beatrice's eyes, but she
+felt that if she now gave way to her passion, it would rob her of all
+power, and prepare her antagonist a new triumph. She therefore crossed
+her arms, and replied with annihilating scorn--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You make me do severe penance, Signora Almbach, for having been the
+conqueror in a struggle whose prize was your husband's love.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You are mistaken,&quot; responded Ella, coldly. &quot;I <i>never</i> struggle for any
+man's love. I leave that to women who first gain such a prize with
+difficulty, and then must ever tremble lest they lose it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The last words seemed to have touched a sore spot. Beatrice paled.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Certainly you had a right to claim him on the strength of the bridal
+altar,&quot; said she, still retaining the former contemptuous tone. &quot;Only,
+alas, even this talisman does not protect one from the misfortune of
+being forsaken.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Now it was she who aimed mercilessly for a wound which she herself had
+made, but the arrow glanced harmlessly back. Ella drew herself up erect
+and proud--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Certainly not from the pain of such a fate, but at any rate from its
+shame. For the forsaken wife there remain the interest, the sympathy of
+the whole world; for the forsaken lover--only contempt.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Only that?&quot; said Beatrice grimly. &quot;You mistake, Signora; one other
+thing remains for her--revenge!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Is that intended for a threat to me?&quot; asked Ella. &quot;Whoever challenges
+your revenge, may seek to protect herself against it; I am free from
+it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Of course, you came from the north where passion is not known, as we
+understand the word,&quot; cried the Italian. &quot;With you prejudices, duties,
+the world's opinion, stand for ever and ever in the front--a woman's
+<i>love</i> only comes in the second rank.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Certainly in the second rank.&quot; Ella's tone was now one of unconcealed
+scorn. &quot;In the first stands woman's honour; we are accustomed to place
+it unconditionally and everywhere in front--a prejudice certainly from
+which Signora Biancona has long since emancipated herself.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Ella did not know the rival whom she irritated, otherwise she would not
+perhaps have ventured to let the pride of the deeply injured wife speak
+in so crushing a manner; the effect was an appalling one.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It was as if all at once a demon sprang up in the Italian, as if her
+whole being really shot forth &quot;death and destruction,&quot; so flashed her
+dark eyes; a half smothered cry of fury broke from her lips, and
+forgetting everything around her, she took one or two steps forward.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Ella shrank back at this more than threatening movement--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What does that mean, Signora?&quot; said she firmly. &quot;Violence perhaps? You
+forget where we are. I see that I was wrong to accede to this
+interview, it is high time to end it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Beatrice appeared to recover her senses to some extent; at least she
+stood still, although the unnatural expression of her eyes had not
+faded; convulsively her hand crushed the black lace veil which fell
+over her shoulders; she did not notice that in doing so one of the red
+flowers detached itself from her hair, and fell to the ground.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You shall learn to repent these words--this hour, Signora,&quot; hissed she
+through her clenched teeth. &quot;You do not know revenge? Very well, I know
+it, and shall know how to show it to you and him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She swept away and left the young wife alone behind, who could not
+bring herself to re-enter the drawing-room immediately after this
+scene, and encounter Erlau's anxious enquiries. Drawing a long breath,
+she sat down on one of the seats, and rested her head on her hand. This
+wild hatred and threat of vengeance did shake her, but it showed her
+the truth also, through all veils. Only the successful rival is
+hated, only what is lost is avenged, or at least what is given up for
+lost--the infatuation was at an end.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But whom did these threatening words concern? Reinhold? The wife paled;
+she herself had offered a firm bold front to the menace; but at this
+thought a breath as of trembling fear passed through her soul, and as
+if in half unconscious pain she pressed her hand to her bosom and
+whispered--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh, my God, that cannot be. She loves him surely.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Eleonore!&quot; said a voice quite close to her.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Ella started up. She recognised the voice at the first sound, even
+before she saw the figure, which stood on the other side of the
+doorway, as though it did not dare to pass. Reinhold seemed to gain
+courage when he saw no repelling movement, and entered completely.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What is it?&quot; asked he uneasily, &quot;I find you alone here in this distant
+room, and just now I saw another come from it and hurry through the
+gallery. You spoke--&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;To Signora Biancona,&quot; added Ella, as he stopped.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Did she insult you?&quot; cried Reinhold irately. &quot;I know her look, which
+betokened no good. I almost suspected it when I saw her disappear so
+suddenly from the drawing-room, and you were to be seen no more. I came
+too late, as it appears. Did she insult you, Ella?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">His young wife rose, and made a movement as if to leave--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;If she had done so, you understand surely that your protection would
+be the last which I should claim.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She tried to pass him, and reach the door. Reinhold made no attempt to
+detain her, but his glance rested upon her with such sad reproach, that
+she stopped involuntarily.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Eleonore,&quot; said he softly, &quot;one more question before you go--only one.
+You were at my opera--why deny it? I saw you, as you saw me. What urged
+you to go?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Ella lowered her eyes, as if it were a fault of which she was accused,
+and a treacherous warmth flowed over her brow and cheeks, as she
+hesitatingly replied--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I wanted to become acquainted with the composer, Rinaldo, in his
+works.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And now that you have become acquainted with him?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Do you wish for my judgment upon your new creation? The world says it
+is a masterwork.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It was a confession,&quot; said he with strong emphasis. &quot;I did not,
+indeed, imagine that you would hear it, but as it was so--did you
+understand it?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">His wife was silent.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I only saw your eyes for one moment,&quot; continued he passionately, &quot;but
+I saw that tears stood in them. Did you understand me, Ella?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I comprehended that the author of such tones could not endure the
+narrow circle of my parent's house,&quot; replied Ella firmly, &quot;and that
+perhaps he chose the best for himself when he broke through it and
+plunged into a life full of warmth and passion, such as his music
+paints. You have sacrificed everything to your genius--I bear you
+testimony that this genius was worthy of the sacrifice.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The last words sounded intensely bitter; they seemed to have touched
+the same chord in Reinhold.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You do not know how cruel you are,&quot; said he in a like tone, &quot;or rather
+you know it only too well, and make me suffer tenfold for every pang I
+once caused you. What indeed is it to you, if I rise or succumb in a
+life which the world deems unequalled happiness, which I often, so
+often already, would have given away for a single hour of rest and
+peace! What is it to you, if your husband, the father of your child, be
+devoured with wild longing for reconciliation with a past which he
+could never quite tear out of his heart, if at last he despairs of
+everything and of himself! He has merited his fate; therefore the rod
+was broken over him, and the elevated, virtuous pride of his wife
+denies him every word of reconciliation, denies him even the sight of
+his child--&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;For Heaven's sake, Reinhold, control yourself,&quot; interrupted Ella
+anxiously. &quot;We are not alone here--if a stranger heard us!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He laughed bitterly--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, then he would hear the great crime, that the husband has for
+once dared to speak to his wife. And if all the world learn it, I care
+no longer upon whom the discovery, whom the condemnation falls. Ella
+you must remain,&quot; interrupted he beside himself, as he saw she wished
+to depart. &quot;For once I must ease my breast of what I have carried about
+with me for months, and as you are at other times so inaccessible to
+me, you must listen to me now and here. You must I say.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He seized her arm, so as to detain her by force; but at the same moment
+Marchese Tortoni appeared at the door, and stepped almost furiously
+between them.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Reinhold let his wife's arm go, and drew back. Cesario's appearance
+showed him that the latter must have been present at least during the
+last scene; with dark brow and a grave look the Marchese placed himself
+at once by Ella's side.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;May I offer you my arm, Signora?&quot; said he, very positively. &quot;Your
+uncle is uneasy at your absence. You will allow me to accompany you to
+him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Reinhold had already mastered his astonishment, but not his excitement.
+The interruption at such a moment irritated him to excess, and the
+sight of Cesario at his wife's side robbed him completely of his
+self-control.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I request that you will withdraw, Cesario,&quot; said he violently and
+dictatorially, with that superiority which he had always employed
+towards his young friend and admirer, but he forgot that he no longer
+held the foremost place with the latter. The Marchese's eyes flashed
+with indignation, as he replied--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The tone of your request is as singular, Rinaldo, as the request
+itself; you will therefore understand if I do not accede to it. I
+certainly did not understand the German words which you exchanged with
+Signora Erlau, but yet I saw that she was to be compelled to stay when
+she wished to go. I fear she requires protection--pray command me,
+Signora!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You will protect her from <i>me</i>?&quot; cried Reinhold, becoming excited. &quot;I
+forbid <i>you</i> to approach this lady!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You appear to forget that it is not Signora Biancona in this case,&quot;
+said the Marchese, cuttingly. &quot;You may have a right there to forbid or
+allow, but here--&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have it here more than any other.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You lie.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Cesario! You will answer for this to me,&quot; cried Reinhold angrily.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;As you please,&quot; replied the Marchese, equally violently.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Ella had up to this time tried in vain to interrupt the sentences which
+were exchanged rapidly between the wildly excited men; they did not
+listen to her, but the last words, whose meaning she understood only
+too well, showed her the whole extent of the danger of this unhappy
+meeting. With quick decision she stepped between them, and said with a
+determination which commanded attention even at this moment--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Marchese Tortoni, do not proceed any farther! It is a
+misunderstanding.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Cesario turned at once to her. &quot;Pardon, Signora! We forgot your
+presence;&quot; said he more calmly. &quot;But you overlook the fact that in
+Signor Rinaldo's words there lies an insult to you, which I am not
+inclined to tolerate. I cannot and shall not retract my words, unless
+you were to convince me that he is right.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Ella struggled with herself in agonising indecision. Reinhold stood
+silent and gloomy; she saw that he would not speak now, that with this
+silence he wished to compel her, either to deny or acknowledge him as
+her husband; but to deny him, meant in this case to call forth the
+worst consequences. The insult had taken place, and with the two men's
+characters, a fatal meeting was inevitable. If it were not withdrawn,
+no choice remained to the wife.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Signor Rinaldo goes too far when he still claims rights which he once
+possessed,&quot; replied she at last. &quot;But no insult lay in his words, he
+spoke--of his wife!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Reinhold breathed more freely--at last she confessed it before Cesario.
+The latter stood as if struck by lightning. Often as he had sought for
+a solution of the enigma, he had never expected one such as this.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Of his wife!&quot; repeated he almost stupified.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We have been separated for years,&quot; said Ella voicelessly.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">This explanation restored the Marchese's steadiness. He immediately
+guessed the cause of the separation; did he not know Beatrice Biancona?
+The one name made all clear to him, and left no doubt as to whose side
+the fault lay on now. The Captain was right in his conjecture; the
+discovery, instead of frightening Cesario away, rather made him break
+forth in passionate partizanship for the beloved and injured wife.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well then, Signora,&quot; said he quickly, &quot;it only rests with you, whether
+you will recognise a claim, which Rinaldo founds upon a past, which
+exists no longer, and which he himself surely destroyed. You alone have
+to decide whether I may still approach you, if in future I may dedicate
+a feeling to you, which I confess openly is now more than the cold
+admiration of a stranger, and which one day you must accept or refuse.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He spoke with all the ardour of a long suppressed emotion, but also
+with the noble, immovable confidence of a man, to whom the beloved one
+is elevated above all doubt, and the language was sufficiently plain;
+it pressed urgently for a decision, from which the wife shrank back
+tremblingly.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes, indeed Eleonore, you must decide,&quot; said Reinhold, now taking up
+the word. His voice all at once sounded unnaturally calm, but the
+glance which hung openly on his wife with an expression as if in the
+next moment the fiat of life or death should fall from her lips, showed
+better how it was with him. For one second's duration both their eyes
+met, and Ella could have been no woman had she not now seen that the
+most perfect, annihilating revenge lay in her hand. One single &quot;Yes&quot;
+from her lips would avenge all that she had suffered. Slowly she turned
+to Cesario.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Marchese Tortoni--I beg you to desist--I still consider myself bound.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A short portentous pause followed the words. Ella saw what a struggle
+between pain and pride of the man, who would not show how deeply he had
+been struck, went forward in the young Italian's beautiful features;
+she saw him bow to her, without speaking a word, and turn to go; but
+courage failed her to cast a glance to the other side.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Cesario!&quot; cried Reinhold, going a step towards him as if in rising
+repentance. &quot;We are friends.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We <i>were</i> so,&quot; replied the Marchese, coldly. &quot;You surely comprehend,
+Rinaldo, that this hour separates us. My accusation against you I
+must certainly retract! your wife's explanation exonerates you from
+it--farewell, Signora.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He left the husband and wife alone. Neither spoke during the next few
+minutes. Ella bent low over one of the perfumed flowers, and a few
+tears fell upon the broad shining leaves. Then her name was borne to
+her ear by a trembling breath--she seemed not to hear it.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Eleonore!&quot; repeated Reinhold.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She raised her eyes to him. Intense pain still rested on her face, but
+her voice sounded under perfect control again.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What have I said then? That I shall never make use of the freedom
+which your step gave me? That was certain from the first; without this
+the experience of my marriage protects me from any second one. I have
+my child, and in it the object and happiness of my life. I require no
+other love.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You, certainly not,&quot; said Reinhold, with quivering lip, &quot;and my doom
+is indifferent to you--you have always loved your child only, and never
+me. For his sake you could break through all the prejudices of your
+bringing up and become another woman; you could not do it for your
+husband.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Did he then ever give me such love as I found in my child?&quot; asked
+Ella, in a very low voice. &quot;Let it be, Reinhold! You know who stands
+between us, and will ever stand.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Beatrice? I will not accuse her, although she was more to blame for my
+departure then than you perhaps believe. Yet, I was always master of my
+will--why did I yield to the fascination? But if I have now recognised
+its deception, and tear myself away--&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Will you forsake her, as you forsook me?&quot; interrupted his wife, in
+reproachful condemnation. &quot;Do you think that <i>that</i> could reconcile us?
+I have lost all belief in you, Reinhold, and it will not be restored to
+me, even if you sacrifice a second person now. I have no cause for
+sparing or considering this Biancona, but she loves you; she offered up
+all for you, and you yourself gave her an undisputed right of
+possession for years. If even you would now destroy the fetters you
+forged for yourself she would still part us for ever. It is too late; I
+<i>cannot</i> trust you any more.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Immeasurable sadness rang in the last words, but at the same time
+unbending firmness. In the next moment Ella had left the room. Reinhold
+was alone.</p>
+
+<hr class="W20">
+
+<p class="normal">It was on the day following this entertainment, already towards
+evening, when Captain Almbach entered Reinhold's drawing-room.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Is my brother still not visible?&quot; asked he of the servant who met him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The latter shrugged his shoulders, and pointed across to the locked
+door of the study.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You know, Signor, that we dare not disturb him. Signor Rinaldo has
+locked himself in.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Since this morning!&quot; murmured Captain Almbach; &quot;that begins, indeed,
+to be alarming. I must absolutely find out what has happened.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He went to the study door, and knocked in such a manner that it could
+not be unheard.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Reinhold, open the door! It is I.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">No answer came from within.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Reinhold, twice to-day have I demanded admittance to you in vain. If
+you do not open the door now, I shall think some misfortune has
+happened, and burst it open in a minute.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The threat seemed to have some effect. Steps were heard inside the
+room; the bolt was pushed back, and Reinhold, standing before his
+brother who entered quickly, said impatiently--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why this disturbance? Can I never be alone?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Never!&quot; said Hugo, reproachfully. &quot;Since this morning you have been
+inaccessible to everybody--even to me; and your face shows that you are
+more fitted to bear anything than being alone. That unfortunate
+<i>soirée</i> last night; Heaven knows what befel you all! Ella suddenly
+disappeared from the room, and I am convinced you spoke together.
+Marchese Tortoni, who also became invisible, returned with a
+countenance as if he had received his verdict of death, and left the
+party the next moment. I find you in the gallery in a state of
+excitement beyond description, and Donna Beatrice looked like the last
+judgment day, as she entered her carriage. I bet that she alone has
+caused all the mischief. What is the matter between you?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Reinhold folded his arms, and looked gloomily at the ground. &quot;Nothing
+more now--we are separated from henceforward.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Captain Almbach stepped back in intense surprise. &quot;What does it mean?
+You accompanied her.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes, she knew how to manage that, and so at last it came to a decision
+between us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You have broken with her?&quot; asked Hugo.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I--no,&quot; replied Reinhold, with a bitter expression; &quot;it was told me
+plainly enough that I might sacrifice no 'second.' It was Beatrice who
+brought the rupture violently about. Why must she force me to an
+interview so immediately after it had become clear to me what I had
+lost for her sake? She called me to account for my thoughts and
+feelings, and I told her the truth which she demanded--mercilessly
+perhaps, but if I was cruel, she challenged me to it ten times over.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I can imagine it, from what I know of Biancona,&quot; said Hugo, in an
+under tone.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;From what you know of her?&quot; repeated his brother. &quot;Do not believe it!
+Did I not only really learn to know her last evening? It was a scene; I
+tell you, Hugo, even you, with all your energy, would not have been
+equal to her. One must have something of a fiend in one's nature to
+resist such a woman. That hour put its seal upon our separation.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The words were full of gloomy moodiness, but betrayed no relief, no
+removal of any weight. Captain Almbach shook his head.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I fear the story will certainly not end there. This Beatrice is not a
+woman to waste away in helpless tears. Be upon your guard, Reinhold!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;She threatened me with all her vengeance,&quot; said Reinhold darkly, &quot;and
+so far as I know her, she will keep to it. Let her then! I do not
+tremble before what I called up myself--with happiness I had parted
+already.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And if this separation continued irretrievable, do you not believe in
+the possibility of a reconciliation with Ella?&quot; asked Hugo, gravely.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No, Hugo, that is over. I know that she cannot forget. Not one voice
+in her heart speaks for me now, if it even ever spoke. The cleft
+between us is too wide, too deep; no bridge leads across it now. I have
+given up the last hope.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The brothers' conversation was interrupted at this moment by Jonas, who
+entered hastily.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Reinhold looked up, annoyed that his brother's servant should venture
+to enter his study so unceremoniously, and Hugo had a rebuke ready on
+his lips, when a glance at the sailor's face arrested it.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What is it, Jonas?&quot; asked he uneasily. &quot;Is it anything important?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Herr Captain!&quot;--the sailor's voice had quite lost its usual quiet
+tone, it trembled audibly----&quot;I have just come from Herr Erlau's
+house--you know that I often go there now--the old gentleman is beside
+himself; all the servants are running about--Annunziata cries her eyes
+out, although she really is not to blame for it, and young Frau Erlau
+just now----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What has happened?&quot; cried Reinhold, with the dread of presentiment.
+&quot;Some misfortune?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The child is gone,&quot; said Jonas, desperately; &quot;since this forenoon. If
+they do not find it again, I believe the mother will lose her life.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Who? Little Reinhold?&quot; enquired Hugo, while his brother stared at the
+messenger of evil, without power over a single word. &quot;How could it
+happen? Was no one there to look after him?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He was playing in the garden as usual,&quot; related Jonas, &quot;and Annunziata
+with him; she went into the house for a quarter of an hour, as she
+often does. When she returned, the garden door was open, the child
+gone, and not a trace of him to be found. They have roused all the
+neighbourhood, searched all the environs, but no ponds nor pits, where
+the little one could come to grief, are anywhere near, and if he had
+run away, he is big enough, after all, to find his way back again. No
+one can understand the mystery.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The brothers' looks met. In both their eyes stood the same terrible
+thought. The next moment, Reinhold, pale as a corpse, and trembling
+with excitement in all his limbs, seized his hat from the table.</p>
+<br>
+
+<br>
+
+<br>
+
+<br>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER VII.</h2>
+
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will soon procure the solution,&quot; cried Reinhold. &quot;I know where to
+seek it. You go first to Ella, Hugo! I will follow--perhaps with the
+child.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The more thoughtful Hugo caught him quickly by the arm.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Reinhold, I implore you, do not be too hasty! We do not know the
+particulars so far. The child may have strayed away, and, as it does
+not speak Italian, not have found its way back yet. Perhaps it has
+already been brought home to its mother. What are you going to do?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Demand the restoration of my son,&quot; cried Reinhold, with fearful
+wildness. &quot;That, then, was the vengeance which this fury had thought
+of. Ella and me--she would strike us both with one single deadly blow!
+but I will succeed in reaching her. Let me alone, Hugo! I must go to
+Beatrice.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That would be of no use,&quot; cried Captain Almbach, whom the expression
+on his brother's face alarmed, and who endeavoured in vain to restrain
+him. &quot;If your suspicion be well founded, she will know, too, how to
+play her part. You will only irritate her more. We must adopt other
+means.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Reinhold broke away by main force. &quot;Leave me alone; if any one can, I
+shall compel her to deliver up my child! If I do not compel her--well,
+a catastrophe must ensue.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He rushed away. Beatrice's house lay rather far from his; yet he
+traversed the distance in less than a quarter of an hour. Usually, he
+required no announcement there; all the doors flew open before him; he
+was wont to be considered as master here. To-day the servant who opened
+the door assured him positively the Signora could not be spoken to by
+any one, not even Signor Rinaldo; she was very ill, and had strictly
+forbidden--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Reinhold did not let the man complete his sentence. He thrust him
+aside, hurried through the ante-room, and tore open the drawing-room
+door. The room was empty, equally so the adjoining boudoir; the doors
+of the remaining rooms stood wide open, nowhere was she whom he sought,
+not a sign of her; she had evidently left the house.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Reinhold saw that he came too late, and in the overwhelming
+consciousness of this discovery, he felt vaguely that Beatrice's flight
+had saved him from a crime. In his present state of mind he would have
+been capable of anything towards the abductor of his child. By calling
+all his strength together, he forced himself to be calm, and returned
+to the servant, who had not dared to follow him, but stood frightened
+and uncertain in the anteroom.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Signora has gone then--since when?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The servant hesitated in his reply. The questioner's face appeared to
+betoken no good.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Marco, you must answer me! You see that I shall not be deterred by any
+excuse; you seek to deceive me, according to the Signora's commands.
+Once more, when did she go, and where?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Marco was evidently not initiated into the secret, as he was not at all
+prepared for this question. However, he may have listened to part of
+the scene which took place the preceding evening between his mistress
+and Signor Rinaldo, and explained to-day's affair in his own way. It
+was quite in keeping with Beatrice's violent character, that she should
+now have left the town for a few days, if only to render it impossible
+to continue the performance of Rinaldo's opera, and that the latter
+should be beside himself with anger was easily comprehended. It was
+not, indeed, the first disagreement between the two, and all quarrels
+so far had always ended in a reconciliation. With the prospect of such
+a readjustment of affairs, the servant was clever enough not to injure
+himself with the ruling side, and therefore intimated that Signora had
+left the house early this morning, with the distinct order that all
+enquiries were to be replied to &quot;that she was ill.&quot; She had driven away
+in her own carriage; where, he did not know.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And where did she drive to?&quot; asked Reinhold, breathlessly. &quot;Have you
+not heard what address she gave the coachman?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I believe--to Maestro Gianelli's house.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Gianelli! then he, too, is in the plot. Perhaps he may still be
+reached. Marco, so soon as Signora arrives, or any news of her, let me
+know at once! At once! I will pay you with gold for every word. Do not
+forget this!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">With these words, almost thrown at the servant in his flight, Reinhold
+hastened away. Marco looked astounded after him. To-day's scene was
+enacted much more tempestuously than any former ones under similar
+circumstances, and Signor Rinaldo's excitement surpassed anything he
+had seen before. What then had happened? The maestro could not possibly
+have eloped with Biancona? It really almost looked like it.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In Consul Erlau's house naturally intense confusion and excitement
+reigned. Captain Almbach, who had hurried there without delay,
+undertook at once the management of the enquiries which had been
+already set on foot with the greatest energy and caution, but even he
+could not discover anything. In the meanwhile, the one fact was
+clear--that the child had disappeared tracelessly, and so remained. As
+to whether it had left the garden voluntarily, whether it had been
+tempted out, all supposition was at a loss. No one had noticed anything
+unusual, no one had missed the little one until the moment when
+Annunziata returned to fetch him. The poor little Italian was dissolved
+in tears, and yet she was quite blameless in the occurrence, as her
+young mistress herself had called her into the house. The boy was old
+enough not to require constant supervision, and he often played alone
+in the perfectly enclosed place. Hugo had not yet dared to give words
+to the suspicion which he shared with his brother, and which every
+moment became more lively. He had only hinted slightly at an abduction,
+and was at once met with utter incredulity. Robbers in the middle of
+the street, in the most aristocratic quarter--impossible! A misfortune
+was more likely. Once more they began a search, notwithstanding the
+approaching darkness, in the neighbouring gardens and the rest of the
+vicinity.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In the meanwhile, Erlau essayed in vain to pacify his adopted daughter,
+and to point out to her the possibilities and probabilities which still
+might let her hope for a happy termination; Ella did not hear him.
+Silent and deadly pale, without shedding a single tear, she sat by his
+side now, after having taken part for hours in the vain researches,
+which she even to some extent had conducted herself. Although Hugo had
+not alluded to that possibility by a syllable, the mother's thoughts
+took the same direction, and the more inexplicable the child's
+disappearance remained, the more irrepressibly did the recollection of
+her yesterday's encounter force itself upon her, the recollection of
+Beatrice's wild hatred, and burning threats of vengeance; and clear,
+and ever clearer arose the presentiment that this was no case of
+accident or misfortune, but that it was one of crime.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A carriage dashed madly up the street, and stopped before the house.
+Ella, who started at every noise, imagined in every arrival a messenger
+bringing news, flew to the window; she saw her husband descend and
+enter the house. A few minutes later he stood before her.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Reinhold, where is our child?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It was a cry of deadly fear and despair, but also a reproach more
+wounding than could be conceived. She demanded her child of him! Was he
+alone to blame that it had been torn from the mother?</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Where is our child?&quot; repeated she, with a vain attempt to read the
+answer in his face.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;In Beatrice's hands,&quot; replied Reinhold, firmly. &quot;I came too late to
+rescue it from her; she has fled already with her prey, but at least I
+know her track, Gianelli betrayed it to me; the rogue was cognizant, if
+he were not literally an assistant, but he saw plainly that I was in
+earnest with my threat to shoot him down if he did not tell me the road
+she had taken with the child. They have fled to the mountains in the
+direction towards A----. I shall follow them at once. There is not a
+moment to be lost, only I wished to bring you the information, Ella.
+Farewell!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Erlau, who had listened to all much shocked, wished now to interpose
+with questions and advice, but Ella gave him no time for it. The
+certainty, fearful as it was, restored her courage; she stood already
+at her husband's side.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Reinhold, take me with you!&quot; implored she, determinedly.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He made a gesture of refusal. &quot;Impossible Eleonore! It will be a
+journey as for very life, and when I reach the goal, perhaps even a
+struggle between it and death. That were no place for you; I must fight
+it out alone. Either I shall bring you your son back, or you see me now
+for the last time. Be calm! The possibility of his rescue is now in his
+father's hands.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And the mother shall, in the meanwhile, despair here?&quot; asked his wife,
+passionately. &quot;Take me with you! I am not weak--you know it. You need
+fear no tears or fainting from me when action is required, and I can
+bear all, only not the fearful uncertainty and inactivity, only not the
+anxious waiting for news, which may not arrive for days. I shall
+accompany you!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Eleonore, for God's sake!&quot; interposed Erlau, horrified. &quot;What an idea!
+It would be your death.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Reinhold looked at his wife silently for a few seconds, as if he would
+examine how far her strength went.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Can you be ready in ten minutes?&quot; asked he, quietly. &quot;The carriage
+waits below.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;In half the time.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She hurried into the adjoining room. The Consul wanted to forbid, beg,
+entreat once more, but Reinhold cut him short.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Leave her alone, as I do,&quot; said he, energetically. &quot;We <i>cannot</i> give
+way now to cold consideration. I do not see my brother here, and I have
+not time to seek him. Tell him what has happened, what I have
+discovered. He must take the necessary steps here at once to ensure us
+help, which we may perhaps require, and then follow us. We shall first
+take the direct route to A----. There Hugo will find farther
+information about us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He turned, without waiting for a reply, to the door, where Ella already
+appeared in hat and cloak. The young wife threw herself, with a short
+tempestuous farewell greeting, on to her adopted father's breast, to
+whose protest she would not listen; then she followed her husband.
+Erlau looked out of the window as Reinhold lifted her into the
+carriage, entered it himself, shut the door, and the horses started off
+in full gallop. This was too much for the shaken nerves of the old
+gentleman, especially after the alarm and excitement of the last few
+hours; almost unconscious, he sank into an arm-chair.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Hardly ten minutes later Hugo entered; he had already heard from one of
+the servants of his brother's sudden arrival and equally sudden
+departure with Ella. At his first hasty questions, Erlau recovered a
+little. He was beside himself at his daughter's decision, still more at
+the independence of her husband, who had borne her away without any
+more ado. Arrival, explanation and departure, all had taken place as in
+a hurricane; this mode of action resembled a regular elopement, and
+what could the poor wife do on such a journey? What might not occur,
+what happen, if they really overtook this dreadful Italian? The Consul
+was nearly in despair at the thought of all the possibilities to which
+his favourite was exposed.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Hugo listened silently to the report, without betraying especial
+surprise or horror. He appeared to have expected something of the sort,
+and when Erlau had ended, laid his hand soothingly on the latter's arm,
+and said quietly, but yet with a slight tremor in his voice--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Let it be, Herr Consul! The parents are now on their child's track;
+they will, it is to be hoped, find the little one and--each other
+also.&quot;</p>
+
+<hr class="W20">
+
+<p class="normal">A carriage moved up the steep twisting road of the pass, which led
+through the mountains to A----. Notwithstanding the four powerful
+horses and cheering cries of the driver, it proceeded but slowly. This
+was one of the worst spots in the whole chain of hills. The occupants
+of the carriage, a lady and gentleman, had descended from it, and
+struck into a foot path, which shortened the road almost by half; they
+stood already on the summit, while the conveyance was still some
+considerable distance behind them.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Rest yourself, Ella!&quot; said the gentleman, as he led the lady into the
+shade of the rocky wall. &quot;The exertion was too much for you; why did
+you insist on leaving the carriage?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">His wife still kept her fixed, comfortless gaze turned to the pass,
+which on the other side descended into the valley, and whose windings
+could be partly overlooked.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We are a quarter of an hour sooner at the top, at any rate,&quot; said she,
+feebly. &quot;I wanted to look out over the road, perhaps even discover the
+carriage.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Reinhold's glance followed the same direction, in which nothing,
+however, could be discerned but the figures of two men, looking like
+peasants, who coming down the hill lustily, sometimes disappeared in
+the turns of the road, soon again to reappear.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We cannot, indeed, be so near them,&quot; said he pacifyingly, &quot;although we
+have flown since last evening. You see, at least, we are on the right
+track. Beatrice has been seen everywhere, and the child beside her. We
+<i>must</i> overtake her.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And when we do--what then?&quot; asked Ella, listlessly. &quot;Our boy is
+unprotected in her hands. God knows what plans she will pursue with
+him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Reinhold shook his head--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Plans? Beatrice never acts upon plans or calculations. The impulse of
+the moment decides everything with her. The thought of revenge has
+suddenly overcome her, and like lightning she has carried it out, like
+lightning fled with her prey. Where? To what end? That is not even
+clear to herself, and for the moment she does not enquire. She wished
+to strike you and me in our most vulnerable point, and she has
+succeeded; more she did not wish.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He spoke with great bitterness, but with most perfect certainty. They
+stood alone at the summit of the pass; the carriage was still far below
+them, and just then disappeared at the last turn of the road. The
+mountains here bore an abrupt, wild character; almost naked the sharp
+rocks rose upwards, now in mighty groups, now wildly split and broken.
+Only aloes could take root in the clefts of the yellow grey stone, and
+here and there a fig tree spread its meagre shade. Yonder, on the other
+side of the valley, a building hung in dizzy height on the mountain's
+wall, a castle or monastery, grey as the rock itself, and barely to be
+distinguished from it at this distance. Lower down at the edge of an
+abyss, a little hill-town had nestled itself, which built in and upon
+the rock seemed almost to form part of it, and its deserted decayed
+appearance harmonised with the loneliness around. Still lower, whirled
+the broad rushing stream, occupying almost the entire width of the
+valley, so that there barely remained space for the road by its side.
+Over the whole scene, however, lay that glowing sunlight of a southern
+autumn day, which is not inferior at all to the power of a northern
+midsummer one; although the sun had long left its noontide height, the
+air was still quivering with heat; sharply and harshly illuminated,
+every single object stood out almost painfully clear to the sight, and
+the heated stones literally burned under the scorching rays to which
+they were incessantly exposed.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It would be folly to precede the carriage, even only by another step,&quot;
+said Reinhold. &quot;It would overtake us in a moment on the downward route.
+Now we have a view over the whole.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Ella did not contradict him; her countenance bore plainly enough an
+expression of the most extreme physical and mental exhaustion. This
+drive of twenty hours without rest, added to the deadly fear at heart,
+the ever renewed agonising excitement when the track sought for now
+appeared and again was lost--this was too much for the mother's heart,
+and the woman's strength. She sat down on a piece of rock, leaned her
+head silently against the mountain's side, and closed her eyes.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Her husband stood by her and looked down silently at the beautiful pale
+countenance, which in its deadly exhaustion appeared almost alarming.
+The sharp points of the rock buried themselves deeply in her white
+forehead and left red marks there. Reinhold slowly pushed his arm
+between the stone and his wife's fair plaits; she did not seem to feel
+it, and encouraged by it he put his arm quite round her, and attempted
+to give her a better support against his shoulder.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Now Ella started slightly and opened her eyes; she made a movement as
+if she would withdraw from him, but his look disarmed her--this look
+which rested upon her with such painful, anxious tenderness; she saw
+that he did not tremble less for her at this moment than he trembled
+for his child. She let her head sink back again, and remained
+motionless in his arms.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He bent low over her--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I fear, Eleonore,&quot; said he, with an effort, &quot;you have had too much
+confidence in your strength. You will break down.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Ella shook her head denyingly--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;When I have got my boy again--perhaps then. Not before.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You will recover him,&quot; said Reinhold energetically. &quot;How? At what
+cost? I do not certainly yet know; but I know how to master Beatrice
+when the demon is roused in her. Have I not often stood opposed to her
+at times, when perhaps every other person had trembled before her, and
+have known how to enforce my will? Once more, for the last time I shall
+try it, should she and I become the sacrifice.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You believe in danger, also for yourself?&quot; Ella's voice sounded as if
+full of trembling fear.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Not if I meet her alone, only if you approach her; promise me that you
+will stay behind at the last station, will not show yourself when we
+arrive. Remember that in the child she has a shield against every
+attack; every means of force on our side, and everything would be lost
+if she were to see you at my side.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Does she hate me so much?&quot; asked Ella, astonished. &quot;I irritated her,
+it is true, but yet it was you who offended her most deeply.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I?&quot; repeated Reinhold. &quot;You do not know Beatrice. If I came before her
+penitent, wishful to return, there would be an end of her hatred and
+her revenge. One single oath, that I and my wife are separated and
+remain so, that I have given up all idea of a reunion, she would give
+you back your child without a struggle, without resistance. If I
+<i>could</i> do this, the danger would be over.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Ella's eye sought the ground; she did not dare to look up, as she asked
+almost inaudibly--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And can you not do it, then?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">His eyes flashed, he let his arm drop from her shoulders, and stepped
+back--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No, Eleonore, I cannot, and I shall not, as it would be perjury. So
+little as I shall ever return to the bonds which I had felt degraded me
+long before I saw you again, so little shall I give up a hope which is
+more to me than life. Oh, do not draw back so from me! I know I may not
+come near you with sentiments to which I have forfeited the right,
+but you cannot prescribe my feelings to me, and if you did not see
+before--would not see--Beatrice's burning hatred to you, and you alone,
+must show you, how much you are avenged.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Ella made a sudden deprecating motion--&quot;Oh, Reinhold, how can you at
+this moment--&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is perhaps the only one in which you do not reject me,&quot; interrupted
+Reinhold. &quot;May I not, in the hour when we both tremble for our child's
+life, tell the mother what she has become to me? Even then when I first
+trod Italy's shore, there lay upon me something like a suspicion of
+what I had lost. I could not rejoice over the newly-won freedom the
+artist's career gained at last; and the richer and more brilliant my
+life became externally, the deeper grew that longing for a home which
+yet I had never possessed. You, to be sure, do not know the dull pain
+which will not be still even in the midst of the whirl of passion, in
+the noise of triumph, in the proudest success of one's creations, which
+becomes torture in solitude, from which one must fly, even if only by
+means of intoxication, by the wildest excitement. I believed that it
+was only the longing for my child; then I saw the child again--saw
+you--and I knew what this longing craved for; then began the atonement
+for everything of which I had been guilty towards you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He spoke quietly, without reproach or bitterness, and the words seemed
+therefore to act all the more powerfully on Ella; she had risen as if
+she would flee from his tone and gaze, and yet could not.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Spare me, Reinhold!&quot; begged she almost imploringly. &quot;I can feel and
+think of nothing now but my child's danger. When I have the boy safe in
+my arms, then--&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, then?--&quot; asked he in breathless eagerness.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I shall perhaps not have the courage any longer to pain his father,&quot;
+added Ella, while a flood of tears rushed from her eyes.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Reinhold did not say another word; but he held her hand firmly in his
+own as if he would never loosen it again. At the same moment, the
+carriage appeared on the top of the hill, and the driver stopped to
+give himself and the tired animals a little rest.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Almost simultaneously, the two peasants who had been visible before on
+the road, arrived from the other side. They stared curiously at the
+beautiful pale lady and strange, distinguished-looking gentleman who
+stepped towards them and asked where they came from. They named a place
+which lay at the exit of the valley, some miles distant.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Have you seen no carriage?&quot; enquired Reinhold.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Certainly, Signor. A travelling carriage like yours; but they had only
+two horses, you have four.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Did you see the occupants?&quot; interposed Ella, in a trembling voice. &quot;We
+seek a lady with a child.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;With a little boy?--quite right, Signora. She is a good way before
+you; you must drive sharply if you would overtake her,&quot; said the elder
+of the two men while stepping nearer, somewhat alarmed, as the lady
+looked as if about to sink down at the news; but at the same moment her
+companion threw his arm round her, and supported her.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Courage, Eleonore! We are near the crisis; now we must act.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He lifted her into the carriage, and sprang in after her. The few words
+which he addressed to the driver must have contained some unusual
+promise, as the latter swung his whip sharply across the horses, and
+away they went after the object of their pursuit.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The latter had indeed gained a considerable advantage, and their
+carriage was also driven at a rapid pace. Beatrice was alone in it with
+little Reinhold, who, tired with crying and the restless, fatiguing
+journey, had fallen asleep. The fair, curly little head was pressed
+deeply into the cushions; his hands were twined instinctively around
+the side rests, as if they sought a support against the incessant
+jolting and shaking of the uneven road. The child slept soundly and
+deeply, but Beatrice hardly noticed it just now. She was in that state
+of supreme mental irritation which even puts a limit to the wildest
+passion. She was as if in a heavy, stupid trance, from which only one
+object stands out with fearful distinctness--the recollection of that
+hour when Rinaldo cast himself free from her, when he called her the
+curse and misfortune of his life, and acknowledged to her with proud
+defiance that his love belonged to his wife alone. These words pierced
+the Italian's heart ever again as if with a burning thorn. Whatever she
+had done, however she may have sinned, she had loved this one man with
+all the ardour of her soul--to this one she had been unfailingly true;
+she had considered his love as her right, of which no power on earth
+could deprive her, and now she lost it through the woman whom she
+feared the last of all others--through his wife. His wife and his
+child! They had ever been the dark shadow which menaced this happiness,
+and which now, coming forward out of the gloomy past, took form and
+life in order to destroy it.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Beatrice had hated both, even before she knew them. Did she not know
+best what place they still maintained in Reinhold's remembrance? Had
+she not often enough tried in vain to tear him away from it? There
+must surely be something in the once despised power of sacred
+wedlock; it was victorious at last against the beautiful, charming
+Biancona--against the admired actress; and now made her taste the whole
+agony of being forsaken, to which she had once so indifferently
+condemned another, without asking if that other's heart broke under
+this unmerited fate. The fetters, apparently dissolved, had never quite
+loosed the fugitive; now they encircled him again, and Beatrice felt,
+with desperate certainty, that she had never possessed the place in his
+heart which once more his wife occupied.</p>
+<br>
+
+<br>
+
+<br>
+
+<br>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER VIII.</h2>
+
+
+<p class="normal">The passionate woman did indeed not act upon any plan or calculation
+when she seized upon this last extreme means of cooling her revenge.
+Her appearance in the Erlau's garden entirely concerned her hated
+rival. She did not find Ella, but instead found the boy alone, without
+supervision; and the idea, as well as the execution of his abduction,
+were the work of a moment. At first the child willingly followed the
+beautiful stranger, who drew it caressingly towards her, and when he
+commenced to become frightened, and asked to be taken back to his
+mother, it was already too late. Beatrice never thought of the possible
+consequences of her step when she carried her prey away triumphantly;
+she only felt that no stroke from a dagger could hit Ella's heart so
+deeply and certainly as the loss of her child, and that this loss would
+raise an everlasting barrier between the parents. It was this which she
+had wished. But now she must see how to ensure the booty. Gianelli must
+give his hand to aid the flight so hastily undertaken.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Now more than a day's journey lay already between the child and its
+parents; but they must make a halt some time; some time this aimless,
+planless flight must come to an end.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The vengeance had succeeded beyond expectation--what now?</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Little Reinhold still slept. Had he only borne his father's features,
+perhaps that had preserved him from all ill; but this golden fair hair,
+this rosy countenance, and those deep blue eyes--just now closed, to be
+sure--all belonged to the mother--the woman whom Beatrice hated as she
+had never yet hated anything in the world, and this likeness was
+ominous to the sleeping child. The burning eyes of his companion rested
+for some minutes fixedly on his face; then she suddenly started as if
+frightened at her own thoughts, tore her gaze away from the boy, and
+turned aside.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Yonder, up above, she beheld the carriage which was following theirs. A
+travelling carriage was very rare on this road, and it came in the same
+direction--came with the greatest speed. Beatrice guessed at once what
+it meant. So her track was already betrayed, and the pursuers were at
+her heels--let them, indeed! She felt herself to be all-powerful so
+long as she had the child in her hands.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Rising quickly, she ordered the coachman to lash the horses to their
+greatest pace. He obeyed, and now commenced a wild race between the two
+carriages. More than once the powerful animals could hardly keep up,
+more than once the drag threatened to break and overturn the occupants.
+None paid any attention to it, and promises of excessive rewards
+spurred the two drivers on to scorn any danger. It was a furious,
+reckless drive; rocks and ravines seemed to fly past on both sides;
+ever higher rose the mountainous wall, the more the road descended;
+ever nearer rushed the river; yet the four-in-hand had undeniably the
+best of it. Both carriages now rolled down the valley, but the space
+between them was diminished every moment--a few hundred yards, and the
+fugitives would be overtaken.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The first vehicle thundered across the bridge which here united the two
+banks. Beyond, it suddenly stopped. Beatrice herself had given the
+order to do so; she saw that now no evasion, no escape was possible,
+she must be prepared for extremities. The carriage stood close to the
+edge of the river, which shot along with intense rapidity. Slowly
+Beatrice opened the door, while with her left hand she grasped little
+Reinhold, whom the mad gallop had awoke, and who gazed affrighted into
+the foaming, raging waves which rushed past close below him. He did not
+know how near his parents were. Now the second carriage had reached the
+bridge, and the moment Ella beheld her child all consideration and
+recollection were at an end. She forgot Reinhold's warning not to show
+herself, to leave the decisive step alone to him; and bent far out of
+the door.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Reinhold!&quot; resounded across--it was a cry of inexpressible, trembling
+fear. The child cried out as it recognised its mother, and stretched
+both arms to her. Weeping noisily, it tried to go to her: but this
+sight was its ruin. Beatrice had become white as a corpse when she saw
+the husband and wife side by side. Together, then! What should have
+separated had united them, and if in the next moment Reinhold reached
+the fugitive, and tore his son from her, they would be bound together
+for ever, and for the forsaken one there would only remain contempt or
+revenge.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But the choice was already made. A single step, quick as lightning
+towards the stream, decided all. Beatrice had not loosed her hold of
+the child, and with the strength of despair drew it down with her into
+the flood of death.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A scene of indescribable confusion followed this horrible deed. The
+drivers of both carriages had sprung down from their seats and ran
+objectlessly up and down the banks; they did not even attempt to give
+any succour, which was only possible at the sacrifice of their own
+lives. Ella stood on the bridge; she wanted to cast herself in after
+those whom she could not rescue; but better help was at hand. She saw
+the waves splash up high as her dearest disappeared amidst them--saw
+how these waves also closed the next moment over her husband's head.
+Reinhold had thrown himself in immediately after his child, which, in
+the fall, had torn itself away from Beatrice, and now re-appeared at
+some little distance. Moments of agony ensued, in comparison with which
+all previous suffering was but play. For Ella, life and death were
+struggling together in these foaming, hissing waves, with which the two
+bodies fought, the one helpless, almost powerless to resist, the other
+toiling fiercely to the one point which at last he attained. The father
+grasped his child, drew it to himself, and strove to reach the shore
+with him. Now he planted his foot upon the rocky ground, now he seized
+the overhanging rocky points on which to support himself; and now, too,
+the mother regained power and motion. She rushed to both. Slowly
+Reinhold mounted the cliff; his breast heaved with fearful exertion;
+his arms bled, wounded by the sharp stones to which he had held, but
+these arms encircled his boy whom he clasped against his heart for the
+first time for years, and sinking down half-unconsciously, he placed
+the child in its mother's arms.</p>
+
+<hr class="W20">
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then this is really and irrevocably to be a farewell visit?&quot; asked
+Consul Erlau of Captain Almbach, who sat near him. &quot;Your departure
+comes very suddenly and unexpectedly. What will your brother, what will
+Eleonore, say to it? Both calculated quite positively upon keeping you
+here a few weeks longer.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">On Hugo's usually light brow there lay a shadow to-day, and on his
+features a strange, bitter expression, as he replied--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You will soon reconcile yourselves to the parting. Reinhold will
+not feel my absence in the constant society of wife and child; and
+Ella--&quot; he broke off suddenly. &quot;Consider it as being all for the best,
+Herr Consul. They will both be far too much occupied with each other
+and their newly-recovered happiness to ask after <i>me</i>.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes, indeed,&quot; rejoined the Consul, &quot;and the greatest loser in this
+reconciliation am I. For years I have looked upon Eleonore as my child,
+have considered her and the little one as my indisputable property; and
+now, all at once, her husband makes good his so-called rights and takes
+them both from me, without my being able to raise any objection to it.
+I do not understand Eleonore, that she has pardoned him so readily.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, it was not done so very readily,&quot; said Hugo gravely. &quot;He met
+with resistance enough, and I hardly believe ha would ever have
+overcome it without that catastrophe which finally came to their
+assistance. He bought the reconciliation with his child's rescue. Ella
+would have been no wife and mother if she had turned away from him
+then, when he laid her boy, uninjured, in her arms. That moment atoned
+for all, and you know as well as I that saving the child nearly cost
+the father's life.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes, certainly, he could do nothing more sensible than become
+dangerously ill after the affair,&quot; grumbled Erlau, who decidedly seemed
+to be in a very uncharitable mood. &quot;That was enough to call Ella to his
+side at once, from which she was not to be removed again, and he very
+wisely would not let her leave him. One knows all that. Danger and
+fear, care and tenderness without end! You surely do not require me to
+rejoice over this reconciliation? I wish we had left this Italian
+journey alone, then I should have kept my Eleonore, and Herr Reinhold
+could have continued his genial, romantic artist's life here. That
+would have been perfectly right for me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You are unjust,&quot; said Hugo reproachfully.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And you out of sorts,&quot; added Erlau. &quot;I do not understand exactly what
+has happened to you Herr Captain; your brother is out of danger, your
+sister-in-law amiability itself, the little one has attached himself
+most tenderly to you, but your cheerfulness seems quite to have left
+you since everything has been swimming in love and peace around us. You
+play no jokes upon any one, you annoy no one with your teasings and
+nonsense, one hardly ever hears a word of fun from you. I fear
+something has got into your head, or even your heart.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Hugo laughed loudly but somewhat forcedly.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why not, indeed! I can no longer bear to remain such a time on shore,
+and give up the sea. This inactivity of months wearies me. Thank God,
+it is coming to an end at last. Early to-morrow I depart, and in a few
+more days I shall be out on the waves again.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And then we all fly apart quite prettily to every point of the
+compass,&quot; said the Consul, who still could not get the better of his
+irritation. &quot;You sail to the West Indies, your brother and Eleonore
+will also leave; I go back to H----, a most pleasant solitude which
+awaits me there at home! Herr Reinhold certainly was gracious enough to
+promise me that I should see his wife and child from time to time. From
+time to time! As if that could satisfy me, after having had her about
+me every moment for years. Of course, now the husband and father must
+decide about it! I am convinced he will never let her leave him for a
+week; he is just as overwhelming in his tenderness as he once was in
+his carelessness.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It almost seemed as if the subject of the conversation were painful to
+Captain Almbach, as he broke it off quickly by rising and taking leave
+of the Consul heartily, but yet rather curtly and hastily. Erlau
+evidently saw him go with regret, as however great was the prejudice
+which he entertained against Reinhold, he was as decidedly prepossessed
+in Hugo's favour, and if the latter had been the repentant prodigal,
+the Consul would have regarded the reconciliation with a much more
+favourable eye than he did now where every feeling of justice was lost
+in the pain of the impending separation from his favourite. It only
+slightly consoled the old gentleman that he took his restored health
+home with him; his house appeared very desolate to him now, and he
+sighed deeply as the door closed after his guest.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Hugo, in the meantime, returned to his brother's abode which he still
+shared. His room, in consequence of the preparations for his departure,
+was in the greatest disorder already. He had ordered Jonas to pack up,
+and put all ready for the early morning, and the sailor had partly
+obeyed these directions, as the boxes stood open on the floor, and the
+travelling requisites lay about on the table and chairs.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But there seemed to be no talk of packing at present, as Jonas sat
+quite calmly on the lid of the large travelling chest, and near him
+little Annunziata, whom he had probably called to help him in this
+difficult business. The conversation between them, notwithstanding the
+young Italian's very defective knowledge of German, was in full course,
+and Jonas had also placed his arm, unabashed, round her waist, and was
+just in the act of stealing a kiss from her, which did not seem to be
+the first, and most likely would not have been the last, if Hugo's
+appearance had not put an end to any farther confidential arrangements.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The couple started up, alarmed at the unexpected opening of the door.
+Annunziata recovered herself first. She fled with a slight exclamation
+past Captain Almbach into the ante-room, where she disappeared and left
+the explanation of the situation to her companion. Jonas however,
+transfixed from fright, and stiff as a statue, stood without moving,
+looking at his master, who now entered completely and shut the door
+behind him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Do you call that packing the boxes?&quot; asked he. &quot;Then you have gone so
+far happily with your exercise of pity?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Jonas sighed deeply--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes, Herr Captain, I am so far,&quot; replied he, resignedly.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The confession was made with such comical humiliation, that Hugo had
+difficulty to suppress a smile; still he said with a grave face--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Jonas, I never thought to experience such things in you. It is only
+lucky that you are a man of principles, which will not allow you to let
+such follies become serious. Principles before everything! Our
+'Ellida,' lies ready to sail; to-morrow we start for the harbour, and
+when we return from the West Indies, you will have driven this love
+story out of your head, and Annunziata in the meanwhile will have taken
+another--&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;She will leave that alone,&quot; cried Jonas furiously. &quot;I will kill her
+and myself too if she does anything of the kind.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Will you not extend the killing to me also?&quot; asked Hugo coolly. &quot;You
+seem to be quite in the humour for it. You have gone so far as kissing,
+that is certain. I have actually witnessed with my own eyes how seaman
+William Jonas, of the 'Ellida,' has kissed a woman, and I should have
+thought that with this fact, enough to set one's hair on end, all would
+have stopped.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Preserve us,&quot; said Jonas, defiantly. &quot;That is only the beginning--then
+comes the marrying.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Will you marry too?&quot; asked Captain Almbach, in a tone of most intense
+indignation. &quot;You will marry a woman? But consider, Jonas, that women
+are to blame for everything, that all mischief in the world originated
+with them, that a man only has peace and quiet when far from them,
+that--&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Herr Captain,&quot; replied the sailor, who contrary to all respect,
+interrupted his master in the middle of his speech, as he heard his own
+words from the other's lips--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Herr Captain, I was an idiot.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh! your Annunziata seems to have inspired you with much
+self-knowledge already, and that is the more admirable as language in
+your conversation plays a very inferior part. Your chosen one speaks
+German thoroughly badly, and you have not caught much more Italian than
+merely her name. To be sure I saw just now how capitally you managed to
+help yourselves. Your conjugation of '<i>amare</i>.' if not quite
+grammatical, was extremely comprehensible.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes, indeed, we know how to help ourselves,&quot; said Jonas, full of
+self-consciousness. &quot;We understand each other however always, and on
+the main point we understand each other at once. I like her, she will
+have me, and we shall marry each other.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And so it ends!&quot; finished Hugo. &quot;And how about our departure, amid
+these suitable arrangements?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I shall still go to the West Indies, Herr Captain,&quot; answered Jonas
+eagerly. &quot;We cannot marry in quite so head-over-heel a fashion, and my
+bride will meanwhile remain with young Frau Almbach, who has promised
+to take care of her. When I return, however, Annunziata thinks my
+seafaring must end. She thinks when she takes a husband that he must
+stay with her also, and not sail about for years on all kinds of seas.
+We could set up a little public house in some place, where I should not
+be so far from the ocean, and should always meet with my comrades,
+Annunziata thinks.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Your Annunziata seems to think a great deal,&quot; remarked Captain
+Almbach, &quot;and you naturally submit like a converted woman-hater and
+obedient bridegroom to this opinion of your 'future.' Then on this
+voyage, the 'Ellida' is to have the honour of counting you amongst her
+crew? Afterwards she must look out for another sailor and I for another
+servant?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes, afterwards,&quot; said Jonas, somewhat shamefacedly. &quot;If--if you do
+not also--Herr Captain--you had better marry too.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Don't come to me with your proposals!&quot; cried Hugo, jumping up angrily.
+&quot;I should have thought it would be sufficient at present, that you come
+under petticoat-government. Now, pack my boxes and take leave of your
+Annunziata! As we start very early tomorrow, I--have also still to take
+leave.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The last words sounded so peculiarly forced, that Jonas looked up
+astonished. He knew that it was not his master's wont to let farewells
+in any place be hard for him, and yet he fancied that this one made
+Hugo's heart right heavy. Fortunately the sailor was in similar plight;
+therefore he did not trouble much about it, but set to work to pack,
+while Hugo went across to the rooms which his sister-in-law inhabited
+now. He stood motionless for a few moments before the closed door, as
+if he did not dare to enter; then all at once, as if with sudden
+determination, he put his hand on the latch and opened it.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Ella sat at her writing table. She was alone, and in the act of closing
+a letter she had just concluded, when her brother-in-law entered, and
+came quickly to her.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Have you announced your return to Germany?&quot; asked he, pointing to the
+letter. &quot;Herr Consul Erlau will make all H---- rebellious with his
+despair at being obliged to return without you and the little one.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Ella laid her pen aside and rose. &quot;I am sorry that uncle should feel
+our parting so much,&quot; replied she; &quot;I have already tried my utmost to
+procure a substitute, and by letter begged one of his relations to take
+my place in his house now that other duties call me. His wish for us to
+accompany him to H----, and for us to live with him for a time, I could
+not agree to on Reinhold's account. We have once already given society
+there cause to busy themselves about us; if we return now, there would
+be no end to the painful curiosity and interest, and Reinhold still so
+much needs consideration. He cannot bear the slightest allusion to the
+past as yet, without exciting himself dangerously. We must certainly
+seek another quieter residence.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;At all events, it is fortunate that you have decided him to return to
+Germany at all,&quot; said Hugo; &quot;he has been estranged from home long
+enough, both as regards his life and his musical labours. It is time
+that he should at last take root in his fatherland.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Ella smiled. &quot;You preach that to me and him daily, and yourself long
+restlessly to go far away? Confess it now, Hugo, you can hardly wait
+for the day of your departure, and it is difficult enough for you to
+endure the few weeks you still have with us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The difficulty is removed already,&quot; said Hugo, with feigned unconcern,
+&quot;I leave tomorrow.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;To-morrow?&quot; cried Ella, half-astonished, half-alarmed. &quot;But you
+promised, though, to remain until our departure.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Captain Almbach bent low over the papers and writing materials on the
+table, as if searching for something amongst them.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Things have changed since then, and I have received news from the
+'Ellida' which calls me away at once. You know that with us sailors
+that sort of thing often happens quickly and unexpectedly. I was just
+going to tell you and Reinhold of it, and bid you farewell at the same
+time, as I must start early in the morning.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He had poured it all out hastily, without looking up. Ella's eyes were
+fixed gravely and searchingly upon his face.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Hugo, that is an excuse,&quot; said she, decidedly; &quot;you have received no
+news, at least, none so urgent. What has occurred? Why will you go?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You interrogate me like a criminal judge,&quot; said Hugo, jokingly, with
+an attempt to regain the old cheerful tone. &quot;Be prudent, Ella! you have
+to deal with a confirmed sinner, who will indeed confess nothing.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes; I see that something has happened to drive you away,&quot; said Ella,
+uneasily, &quot;and for long I have known that something has come between us
+which estranges you from Reinhold and me more every day. Be candid,
+Hugo. What have you against us? Why will you forsake us now?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She had gone closer to him, and laid her hand upon his arm
+beseechingly, but perfectly unembarrassed. Captain Almbach's
+countenance was intensely pale, as he looked silently on the ground; at
+last he slowly raised his eyes.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Because I can bear it no longer,&quot; he broke out with sudden violence;
+&quot;I have urged your reconciliation with Reinhold so long, and now that
+it has taken place, and I must look on at it daily, hourly--now only I
+feel how little talent I have for being a saint or for platonic
+friendship. I must go away if I do not wish to be ruined. My God, Ella,
+do not look at me as if an abyss were opened out before you! Have you
+really had no conception, then, of the state of mind I am in, and what
+these last weeks at your side have cost me?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Ella had shrunk back at these last words, her pallor and the expression
+of deadly fear in her face gave an answer, even before she opened her
+lips to reply.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No, Hugo, I had no conception of it,&quot; replied she, in a trembling
+voice. &quot;When we first met, I felt myself obliged to repel a fleeting
+fancy. That it could ever be serious with you, I never deemed
+possible.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Nor I either,&quot; said Hugo, glumly. &quot;At the beginning, I too, believed I
+could laugh and scoff away this feeling--scoff it away like all others;
+and now it has become earnest, such bitter earnest, that I was on the
+high road to learn to hate my brother, to loathe the whole world, until
+the latter part of my time here became a hell--perhaps it will be
+better out on the sea, perhaps not either. But go I must, the sooner
+the better.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Something so wild, so passionate lay in those words, and Hugo's whole
+manner betrayed so plainly the difficulty with which he had suppressed
+his internal agony, that Ella found no courage for a harsh reply. She
+turned silently away. After a few moments Captain Almbach again came to
+her side.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Do not turn from me, Ella, as from a criminal!&quot; said he, with
+returning gentleness. &quot;I am going, perhaps never to return, and the
+hour of my confession is also that of my farewell. I might, indeed,
+have spared you it, should not have made your heart heavy too with what
+oppresses mine. God knows I had the honest intention of being silent,
+and bear it until I had departed; but after all, one is but mortal, and
+when you begged me to remain, and looked so kindly at me, there was an
+end of my self-control. Reinhold himself prophesied that I should some
+day meet those eyes which would put a stop to all scoffing, all
+thoughtlessness. The only misfortune was, that I must find them in his
+wife. If this were not so, I had better have bid adieu to all freedom
+and independence for these eyes' sake, have become a quiet, steady
+married man, and have denied my whole nature; but it would have been a
+pity for old Hugo Almbach after all--therefore, probably Heaven raised
+an obstacle, and said 'No.'&quot;</p>
+<br>
+
+<br>
+
+<br>
+
+<br>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER IX.</h2>
+<br>
+
+
+<p class="normal">Captain Almbach tried in vain to speak in his old scoffing way; to-day
+it would not come to his aid. His lips quivered, and his words sounded
+like the bitterest irony. Ella saw how deeply the wound had eaten into
+the man whom in this respect she had considered invulnerable.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You should have gone long since, Hugo,&quot; said she, in gentle reproach,
+&quot;now it is too late to spare you the pain; but if a sister's love--&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;For God's sake, refrain from that,&quot; interrupted he impetuously. &quot;Only
+none of that respect, friendship, and all the fine things with which
+ideal people console themselves in like cases, and which kill an
+ordinary man, when his throbbing heart is expected to satisfy itself
+with them. I know, indeed, that you have always looked upon me as a
+brother, that your heart has always and ever clung to Reinhold, even
+then, when he betrayed and forsook you; but I cannot bear to hear it
+now from your lips. Of course it serves me right. Why did I become
+untrue to her, my beautiful blue bride of the ocean, to whom now only I
+belong? She makes me atone for ever having thought of forsaking her for
+another, and yet it always seemed to me as if I gazed into her blue
+depths when I looked into Ella's eyes.&quot; He threw his head back with a
+half-defiant motion. &quot;And to me those, eyes unveiled themselves first,
+then, when my brother never suspected what riches he called his own. I
+knew better than he what the woman was whom he gave up for a Biancona's
+sake, and in despite of that he bears away the prize for which I could
+have given everything. Such demon-like, artistic natures always conquer
+one of us who have nothing to oppose excepting a warm heart and ardent,
+bounteous love. Reinhold takes back what never, even for a moment,
+ceased to be his own property, and I--go; so we are all provided for.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">An immeasurable bitterness lay in these words, which betrayed only too
+well that his love for his brother could no longer resist a passion
+which appeared to have changed Hugo's entire nature. He made a movement
+as if to leave the room. Ella held him back.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No, Hugo, you shall not go thus,&quot; said she, firmly. &quot;Not with this
+bitterness against Reinhold and me in your heart. Our happiness has
+already had to be rebuilt on the ruins of a stranger's life; it would
+be too dearly paid for if it were to cost us our brother also. We
+should never, never get over it if we knew you were unhappy far
+away--unhappy through us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She had raised her eyes to him beseechingly and sadly. Captain Almbach
+looked down upon the young wife with a singular mixture of anger and
+tenderness.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Do not trouble about me,&quot; replied he, with emotion, &quot;I do not belong
+to those men who at once yield themselves up to despair because they
+must tear themselves away from that on which their whole heart now
+hangs, and if in the wrench, a piece of the heart goes too, well, he
+can bear it still as it is. I shall bear it; whether I shall overcome
+it is a different question. When Reinhold is quite recovered again,
+tell him what has driven me away from being near him and you. I do not
+wish to stand before my brother as a hypocrite, and I should have
+confessed it to him myself long since, only that I still dreaded the
+excitement for him of such an acknowledgment; he has become only much
+too irritable on every point which concerns you. Tell him that Hugo
+<i>could</i> not stay--not one hour longer--and that he had given you his
+word not to return again until he could appear before his brother's
+wife as he ought.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The hand, which was extended to her in farewell, grasped hers with a
+convulsive pressure, when the door opened, and little Reinhold rushed
+in, flying to his uncle with childish eagerness--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Uncle Hugo, you are going away?&quot; cried he breathlessly. &quot;Jonas has
+packed his boxes, and says you will leave to-morrow morning. Uncle
+Hugo, you shall not; you must stay with us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Captain Almbach lifted up the boy, and pressed his lips with passionate
+violence upon the child's--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Take that kiss to your mother,&quot; whispered he in a half-smothered
+voice. &quot;She will surely dare to take it from your lips. Farewell my
+child. Farewell, Ella!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Mamma,&quot; said little Reinhold, as he looked astonished after his
+uncle--who had put him down so hastily and then left the room--&quot;Mamma,
+what is the matter with Uncle Hugo? He cried actually, as he kissed
+me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Ella drew the child nearer to her, and now her lips also touched the
+child's forehead, which was still damp, as if from two tears having
+fallen upon it.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It grieves your uncle to leave us,&quot; answered she, softly. &quot;But he must
+go--God grant that he may return to us one day.&quot;</p>
+
+<hr class="W20">
+
+<p class="normal">The course of time had altered but little in the old seaport and
+commercial town of H----. It looked just the same as ten years ago,
+when the Italian Opera Company gave its first performances there. The
+older portion of the town lay just as gloomy and full of corners, the
+newer as aristocratic and quiet as in those days. In the streets and by
+the harbour the old busy life and activity still reigned, and now, on a
+spring evening, the old damp, foggy atmosphere lay again upon the town
+and its environs.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In the Erlau's house, unusual excitement prevailed. The extensive
+establishment usually conducted with such superior quiet and
+punctuality, to-day seemed to be quite out of gear. There was incessant
+running to and fro; the whole suite of rooms was thrown open and
+illuminated; the servants were in gala livery, and were called first to
+one place, and then to another with different orders. The carriage had
+been despatched more than an hour ago to the railway station, and just
+now the relative who superintended the Consul's household, an elderly
+lady, entered the drawing-room, accompanied by Dr. Welding.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I assure you, Herr Doctor, one can do nothing with my cousin,&quot;
+complained she, as she sat down in an arm chair with a countenance
+expressive of exhaustion. &quot;He disturbs the whole house, and drives all
+the servants into confusion with his orders and arrangements. Nothing
+is festive and brilliant enough for him. Of course I rejoice to see my
+dear Eleonore again, and to become personally acquainted with her
+celebrated husband; but the Consul has made me so nervous already with
+his excitement that I only wish the reception ceremonies were over.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But this is the first time he welcomes his adopted daughter to his
+house again,&quot; said Welding. The Doctor was barely altered in the long
+lapse of time, he merely looked a little older. It was still the same
+sharp, intelligently-cut face, the penetrating glance, and tone of
+irony peculiar to him in his voice, with which he now continued: &quot;Herr
+Reinhold Almbach appears most decidedly to maintain the superiority of
+his influence over his wife compared with that of the Consul. You know
+he has actually managed that Erlau should always go to them in the
+'capital,' and we were not allowed, not withstanding all promises, to
+see Frau Eleonore until her husband determined to accompany her here.
+He cannot spare her for a single week it appears!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No, certainly not,&quot; cried the lady excitedly. &quot;You should only hear my
+cousin relate all about it; he who was at first so prejudiced against
+Reinhold, is now quite reconciled to him and Eleonore's happiness.
+Between them reigns a love so pure and clear, so firm and strong, and
+yet surrounded by such a fairy-like, poetic halo, that it almost sounds
+like a legend in our time, so wanting in happiness and love!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Doctor inclined himself ironically. &quot;Perfectly right, dear Madam. I
+see with pleasure what appreciative attention you bestow on my
+articles. Exactly the same sentiment appeared in No. 12 of the morning
+paper, in a review of the <i>libretto</i> of Reinhold's newest opera.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Really? Was it in the morning paper?&quot; asked the lady, somewhat
+confused; she seemed glad that at this moment the Consul entered the
+room, who, without perceiving the Doctor, in his joyous excitement
+hastened towards her at once.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;My dear cousin, I have been seeking for you everywhere. The carriage
+may return from the station any moment, and we had agreed to receive
+the dear guests together. Has the red boudoir been sufficiently
+lighted, as I ordered? Is Henry downstairs in the vestibule with the
+other servants? Have you--&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Cousin, you make me nervous with your incessant inquiries,&quot; cried the
+lady, in a rather irritated tone. &quot;Is it then, the first time you have
+confided the arrangements of an entertainment to me? I have twice
+already assured you that everything is ordered according to your
+wishes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That is not enough for to-day,&quot; said Welding, joining in the
+conversation. &quot;This time the Consul himself undertakes the part of
+master of the ceremonies, and inspects the whole house, from garret to
+cellar. Woe to him who does not appear before him in gala dress!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Scoff away!&quot; laughed the Consul, &quot;I shall not let it spoil the
+pleasure of the meeting, and indeed, I am quite reconciled to you, Herr
+Doctor, since you introduced such a hymn of praise about Reinhold's
+last work in your morning paper.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Excuse me, I write no hymns of praise,&quot; said the Doctor, somewhat
+piqued. &quot;On the contrary, I often experience that my criticisms are
+favoured with much less flattering names by the artists. Lately,
+our great dramatic and heroic tenor, who, as you know, retains his
+high-tragic, stage pathos even in real life, called my verdict on one
+of his principal parts 'the outflow of the blackest malice, which the
+black soul of man had ever produced!' What do you say to that?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, Reinhold, too, had to endure plenty from your pen,&quot; suggested
+Erlau. &quot;Fortunately, he did not see our morning paper in Italy in those
+days, otherwise he would have had to read very unpleasant things about
+the lamentable direction of an undeniably great talent; of unpardonable
+wastefulness of the most precious gifts; of the mistakes of a genius,
+which, capable of the highest, yet was on the road to ruin himself and
+art; and many more such civilities.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;With which you were quite unanimous at the time,&quot; added Welding.
+&quot;Certainly, I was an open opponent of Reinhold's. Unconditionally, as I
+ever recognised his great talents, much as I encouraged him in his
+first artistic attempts, I decidedly objected to the line he struck out
+later in Italy. Now it has become quite different. His latest work
+shows an alteration for which one can only wish him and art success. He
+has forced himself through wild fermentation to perfect freedom and
+clearness of artistic composition. His genius seems to have found the
+right course at last; this work stands thoroughly at the height of his
+talent.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Naturally--and that is alone Eleonore's merit,&quot; said Erlau, with
+unshaken confidence, while his cousin listened very devoutly to the
+Doctor's words.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Does Frau Almbach help her husband to compose?&quot; asked Welding,
+maliciously.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Leave your malice alone, Herr Doctor! You know quite well what I
+mean,&quot; cried the Consul, annoyed. &quot;Now Henry, what is it?&quot; asked he,
+turning to the servant who entered quickly, and announced that the
+carriage was arriving.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Cousin! for mercy's sake go slower! All the servants are in the hall,&quot;
+cried the old lady, who had prepared to receive the arrivals solemnly
+and with dignity, and was now dragged forward so hastily by the Consul,
+who seized her arm, that the magnificence of her train could not be
+displayed to advantage. Erlau did not listen to her protestations, she
+was obliged to rush to the stairs with him. Dr. Welding, who had come
+by chance, without knowing the hour of the arrival, considered himself
+entitled, as friend of the house, to witness the family scene. He
+therefore remained in the drawing-room while the first speeches of
+reception and welcome were made outside. With great tenderness the
+Consul greeted his adopted daughter and little Reinhold, who, in
+fullest joy, hung on his neck. His cousin, on the contrary, seemed to
+have taken forcible possession of the bigger Reinhold, whom she
+conducted into the drawing-room amid a stream of compliments, while the
+others lingered in the first rooms.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I rejoice exceedingly to make the acquaintance of my dear Eleonore's
+husband, whom I may surely greet as a relation as well as the renowned
+Rinaldo,&quot; assured she, while still in the doorway. &quot;And all H---- will
+be proud once again to see its distinguished townsman within its walls.
+Herr Almbach, we can only wish you and art success in your newest work;
+it stands thoroughly at the height of your talent. Your genius has at
+last--yes, at last--&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Discovered the right course,&quot; suggested Dr. Welding, most amicably, as
+he stood near.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Discovered the right course,&quot; continued the lady, freshly inspired.
+&quot;You have forced your way through wild fermentation to most perfect
+freedom, and to higher spheres.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Not quite true to the words, but it will do,&quot; murmured Welding to
+himself, while Reinhold, somewhat taken aback at this shower-bath of
+æsthetic form of speech, bowed to the lady. Fortunately, the latter now
+saw Ella enter on the Consul's arm, and hastened to embrace her and her
+boy, while the Doctor went towards Reinhold.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;May an old acquaintance recall himself to your recollection, Herr
+Almbach? I am not quite so bold as to receive you at once with
+criticising praise such as you have just experienced, but I do not
+welcome you the less warmly in your home.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Aunt means it kindly,&quot; said Reinhold, half making an excuse for her.
+&quot;It was rather astounding for me at first----&quot; he stopped.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;To be received with one of my reviews,&quot; added the Doctor. &quot;Oh, your
+aunt often does me the honour of reproducing my articles, although
+certainly sometimes on rather unsuitable occasions and with her own
+variations, for which I do not undertake the responsibility; for
+instance, with the 'higher spheres' I have usually nothing to do.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Reinhold smiled. &quot;Time has left no marks upon you, Doctor; you still
+preserve your old <i>role</i>. Every third word you utter, is one of
+sarcasm.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Pretty well,&quot; said &quot;Welding, shrugging his shoulders, and turning to
+Ella, who greeted the old friend heartily as she stretched out her hand
+to him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, how do you find our Eleonore?&quot; cried the Consul, triumphantly.
+&quot;Does she not bloom like a rose? And the 'little one' has become so big
+that we must soon seek another designation for him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Dr. Welding smiled, and this time, as an exception, without any
+maliciousness, while he replied, &quot;Frau Eleonore has remained just like
+herself. That is the best compliment which one can pay her. Certainly,
+dear madam, I am not the last who will rejoice at this meeting, and
+also that the Erlau drawing-rooms, at any rate for the next few weeks,
+will stand again under your sceptre. Between ourselves,&quot; he lowered his
+voice, &quot;it becomes sometimes rather serious when your aunt takes the
+lead in conversations on art.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The excitement and pleasure of meeting had made the arrivals only
+retire to rest very late. The morning sun was shining clearly and
+brightly in at the windows, when Ella entered the apartment which had
+been her sitting and work-room during her residence in the Erlau's
+house. It still displayed all the former costly furniture with which
+Erlau had surrounded his favourite. Reinhold was there already; he
+stood at the window, and looked down upon the streets of his native
+town, which he now visited for the first time after nearly ten years'
+absence. It was no longer the young composer who, in obstinate struggle
+with his surroundings and family, destroyed his fetters as well as his
+duties, so as to throw himself into a course which promised him fame
+and love, and which attained both by force; but neither was it the
+Rinaldo, whose wild, social life in Italy, had so often challenged the
+world's condemnation, which appeared to know no other bridle, no other
+law than his own personal will, and to whom the admiration on the part
+of the public and all around him, threatened to become so ruinous.
+There lay nothing more in his manner of haughty overbearing or wounding
+brusqueness, only that quiet self-consciousness was displayed, which
+showed to the advantage of the man as well as of the composer. In his
+eye still flashed some of the old passion, which had formed Rinaldo's
+peculiar element in life as in his works; but the wild, unsteady flame
+which once burned in this glance was extinguished, and what now beamed
+there was better suited to the quiet, rather sombre expression of his
+features. Whatever a wild, surging life might have buried in this
+countenance, it spoke now only of what it had conquered; and the
+dreamy, thoughtful gaze which at this moment was seeking the gable of
+the old house in Canal Street, where it arose plainly from amidst the
+confusion of houses, was quite that of the former Reinhold--of that
+Reinhold who, in the small, narrow garden-house, had sat so often
+before his piano, and called forth those tones which then might only be
+raised in the night if he did not wish to be upbraided for the &quot;useless
+phantasies&quot; which the world now called the outpourings of his genius.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Ella drew near her husband. Her appearance, indeed, justified the
+Consul's declaration, she bloomed like a rose. The last three years had
+robbed this charming figure of none of its grace, but instead had given
+her an expression of happiness in which she had once been wanting.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Have you received letters so early?&quot; asked she, pointing to two open
+writings which lay on the table.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Reinhold smiled--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Of course! They were sent after us from the residence, and the sender
+of this letter,&quot; he lifted up the one, &quot;you will not guess, I am sure.
+My newest work has brought in one thing at any rate, which is more
+precious to me than all the ovations with which we have been
+overwhelmed--a letter from Cesario. You know how deeply hurt he
+withdrew from us and rendered impossible every attempt on my part at
+approaching him or being reconciled. He could not forgive you for
+having so long been silent towards him, nor me, that I stood in the way
+of his happiness; I have had no sign of his being alive for three
+years, as you know. The first performance of my opera in Italy has
+broken the ice at last; he writes again with the old cordiality and
+enthusiasm, congratulates me upon my new work, which he exalts far
+above its deserts, and announces at the same time his intended marriage
+with the daughter of Princess Orvieto. She will be his wife in a few
+weeks.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Ella had stepped to her husband's side, and over his shoulder read the
+letter which he held in his hand, and in which there was not a single
+word of allusion to her.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Do you know the bride?&quot; asked she at last.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Only a little! I saw her once only in her father's house, and merely
+remember her as a pretty lively child. She was educated in a convent,
+and then was paying a short visit in her parents' house. But I know
+that this union, even in those days, was a favourite wish of the
+families on both sides, to which Cesario's dislike to every bond which
+could fetter his future, as to any marriage in fact, was the only
+obstacle. Now, when years have passed, and the young Princess is grown
+up, they appear to have resumed the plan again, and Cesario has given
+way to his relations' pressure. Whether this <i>marriage de convenance</i>
+can give what such an ardent romantic nature as his is requires, is
+certainly another question.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Ella looked thoughtfully on the ground--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You said though, that the bride is young and pretty, and Cesario is
+surely the man to inspire love in such a youthful creature, who is just
+entering life from a convent's education.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We will hope so,&quot; said Reinhold gravely. &quot;The second letter is from
+Hugo, and dated from----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A slight blush passed over the young wife's countenance, as she asked
+with lively eagerness--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, is he coming at last? May we expect him?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Reinhold shook his head gently--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No Ella, our Hugo will not come this time either; we must resign
+ourselves not to see him. Here, read it yourself!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He handed her the somewhat bulky letter. The first page contained mere
+descriptions of voyages, which were sketched quite in the Captain's
+lively manner, sparkling with fun and humour; only just at the end were
+personal affairs touched upon.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have employed my stay in S----&quot; wrote Hugo, &quot;to pay a visit to
+Jonas, who has been settled here over a year with his Annunziata. You
+have fitted out the little one so richly, that they have made quite a
+pretty hotel out of the modest inn they intended to set up, and are
+going on very well indeed. The young woman has learned German at last,
+and is altogether a very charming hostess, but Jonas I have had to take
+regularly to task; it really is appalling how that tiny creature,
+Annunziata, governs this bear of a sailor, according to all the rules
+of art. I have spoken seriously to him; reminded him of his manly
+dignity, prophesied that he will come hopelessly under petticoat
+government, if it continue thus--what did the wretch answer me? 'Yes,
+Herr Captain, but one is so inhumanly happy with it!' So of course
+nothing remained but to leave him to his inhuman happiness and
+petticoat <i>régime</i>.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;One more piece of news I have for you, Ella. Yesterday, by chance, I
+took up an Italian newspaper in which I met with the announcement that
+a union between the houses of Tortoni and Orvieto was impending.
+Marchese Cesario will shortly be married to the only daughter of the
+Princess. You see that even an idealist does not die of an unhappy love
+now-a-days; instead, he consoles himself after a year or more with a
+young and probably beautiful woman of princely blood. Only the
+thoughtless one, the adventurer, cannot recover from having looked too
+deeply into a pair of blue eyes. I cannot come, Reinhold, not yet! You
+know the word which I passed to your wife; it still banishes me from
+your threshold. Heaven knows how long I must wander about on the sea
+without seeing you again; but if the recollections do not still weigh
+my heart down as at the beginning, yet they will not leave me. My
+'Ellida,' lies in the harbour ready to sail once more, and to-morrow
+she will fly out afar again with her captain. So farewell, Reinhold!
+Kiss your boy in my name! To Ella I shall surely dare send a greeting,
+as you will give it to her? Perhaps we shall see each other again.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Ella folded the letter up and put it down silently--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I hoped still that he would return to us this time, at least,&quot; said
+she at last--her voice sounded sad.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I did not expect it,&quot; replied Reinhold gravely, &quot;as I know Hugo. Much
+in his character seems to glide off lightly and without traces, and
+perhaps really glides off, but once he has grasped anything with his
+whole soul, then he will not let it go for all his life. He preserves
+his love more truly and better than--I did.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Did you love me then, when I was entrusted to you?&quot; asked Ella, with
+gentle reproach. &quot;Could you love the woman who did not understand you
+nor herself in those days? We had to be separated first in order to
+recover one another entirely and completely, and nothing would remind
+me of our separation if I did not see that shadow on your brow, ever
+and again, which reawakens the one recollection.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Reinhold passed his hand over his forehead--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You mean Beatrice's death? I know, indeed, that she prepared her fate
+with her own hand, and yet I cannot always silence the voice which
+accuses me of complicity in the sin of forsaking her, of driving her to
+despair, to madness; she wished to strike us a crushing blow, and
+struck herself.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And from the waves, which gave her her death, you rescued for me and
+yourself the highest, our child and our love,&quot; said his wife softly.
+&quot;See, there comes our Reinhold. Will you show the child this heavily
+clouded brow?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Little Reinhold put his head in at the door, and when he saw his
+parents in the room sprang completely inside, so rosy and fresh, so
+full of life and fun, that the father's gloom and the mother's
+seriousness could not resist his coaxing and romping. Ella kissed her
+boy's forehead tenderly, while Reinhold drew her and the child to
+himself. They had held him very indissolubly, these fetters, which
+once, in youthful infatuation, he had burst and broken, until he learnt
+to feel yonder in the life so ardently longed for, amidst all the
+dreamed-of treasures, that he had left the best at home; until the
+longing for the past awoke, and forced its way powerfully and
+irresistibly; until he could obtain once more, fighting through sin and
+the horrors of death, that which he himself had thrust from him--his
+wife and child; and in the gaze with which he now looked down upon both
+there stood written plainly and clearly the confession which his lips
+did not speak--that the happiness, so long and restlessly sought for,
+and ever denied him, was found again here at last.</p>
+<br>
+
+<br>
+
+<br>
+
+<h3>THE END.</h3>
+<br>
+
+<br>
+
+<br>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Riven Bonds.  Vol. II., by E. Werner
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RIVEN BONDS.  VOL. II. ***
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diff --git a/35284.txt b/35284.txt
new file mode 100644
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+++ b/35284.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,5394 @@
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Riven Bonds.  Vol. II., by E. 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: Riven Bonds.  Vol. II.
+       A Novel, in Two Volumes
+
+Author: E. Werner
+
+Translator: Bertha Ness
+
+Release Date: February 14, 2011 [EBook #35284]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RIVEN BONDS.  VOL. II. ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Charles Bowen, from page scans provided by Google Books.
+
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's Note:
+
+   1. Page scan source:
+      http://books.google.com/books?id=jd4BAAAAQAAJ&dq
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                              RIVEN BONDS.
+
+                                A Novel,
+
+
+                            IN TWO VOLUMES.
+
+
+                             TRANSLATED BY
+                              BERTHA NESS,
+
+
+                   _FROM THE ORIGINAL OF E. WERNER_,
+
+                 Author of "SUCCESS AND HOW HE WON IT,"
+                          "UNDER A CHARM," &c.
+
+
+
+                           *   *   *   *   *
+                                VOL. II.
+                           *   *   *   *   *
+
+
+
+                                London:
+                           REMINGTON AND CO.,
+                    5, Arundel Street, Strand, W.C.
+
+                                 1877.
+
+                        [_All Rights Reserved_.]
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                              RIVEN BONDS.
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER I.
+
+
+"No!" said Captain Almbach. "That cannot be! I have to make a
+confession to you, Ella, at the risk of your showing me to the door."
+
+"What have you to confess to me?" asked the astonished Ella.
+
+Hugo looked down.
+
+"That I am still the 'adventurer,' whom you once took so sternly to
+task. It did not improve him certainly, but he never attempted since to
+approach you with his follies, and cannot to-day either. To make my
+tale short, I had no idea you were the inhabitant of this villa, when I
+directed my steps here. I had myself announced to a perfectly strange
+gentleman, because Marchese Tortoni had spoken of a young lady, who
+lived here in complete seclusion, and yes--I knew before hand, that you
+would look at me in this way--"
+
+Her glance had indeed met him sadly and reproachfully; then she turned
+silently away and looked out of the window. A pause ensued--Hugo went
+to her side.
+
+"It was chance which brought me here now, Ella. I am waiting for my
+lecture."
+
+"You are free, and have no duty to injure," said the young wife,
+coldly. "Besides, my opinion in such matters can hardly have any
+influence upon you, Herr Captain Almbach."
+
+"And so Herr Captain Almbach must retire, to find the doors closed
+against him next time, is it not so?" Unmistakable agitation was heard
+in his voice. "You are very unjust towards me. That I, thinking to find
+perfect strangers here, did undertake an adventure--well, that is
+nothing new to me; but that I was guilty of the boundless folly of
+confessing it to you, although I had the best excuse for deception,
+that is very new, and I was only forced to it by your eyes, which
+looked at me so big and enquiringly, that I became red as a schoolboy,
+and could not go away with a lie. Therefore I hear Herr Captain Almbach
+again, who, thank God, had disappeared from our conversation for the
+last quarter of an hour."
+
+Ella shook her head slightly.
+
+"You have spoiled all my pleasure in our meeting now, certainly----"
+
+"Did it please you? Did it really?" cried Hugo, interrupting her
+eagerly, with sparkling eyes.
+
+"Of course," said she, quietly. "One is always pleased, when far away,
+to find greetings and remembrances from home."
+
+"Yes," said Hugo, slowly. "I had quite forgotten that we are country
+people also. Then you only recognised the German in me? I must confess
+honestly that my feelings were not so purely patriotic when I saw you
+again."
+
+"Notwithstanding the unavoidable disillusion which your discovery
+prepared for you?" asked Ella, somewhat sharply.
+
+Captain Almbach looked at her unabashed for a few seconds.
+
+"You make me suffer greatly for the imprudent confession, Ella. Be it
+so! I must bear it. Only one question before I go, or one petition
+rather. May I come again?"
+
+She hesitated with her reply; he came a step nearer.
+
+"May I come again? Ella, what have I done to you that you would banish
+me also from your threshold?"
+
+There lay a reproach in the words, which did not fail to make an
+impression upon her.
+
+"I do not do so either," replied she, gently. "If you would seek me
+again, our door shall not be closed to _you_."
+
+With quick movement, Hugo caught her hand, and carried it to his lips,
+but those lips rested on it unusually long, much longer than is
+customary in kissing a hand, and Ella appeared to think so, as she drew
+it somewhat hastily away. Equally hastily Captain Almbach drew himself
+up; the slight red tint which had before lain on his forehead was there
+again, and he, who was at other times never at a loss for a civility or
+suitable reply, said now merely monosyllabically--
+
+"Thank you. Until we meet again, then!"
+
+"Until we meet again!" replied Ella, with a confusion that contrasted
+strangely with the calm and decision which she had shown throughout the
+whole interview. It almost seemed as if she repented the permission
+just given, and which still she could not withdraw.
+
+A few minutes later, Captain Almbach found himself in the open air, and
+slowly he began his return to Mirando. He had again carried out his
+will, and fulfilled the promise made so confidently that morning. But
+he seemed little inclined to make much of his triumph. Looking back to
+the villa, he passed his hand across his forehead, like some one
+awaking from a dream.
+
+"I believe that the elegiac atmosphere of Mirando has infected me," he
+muttered, angrily. "I begin to look upon the simplest things from the
+most fantastically, romantic point of view. What is there, then, in
+this meeting that I cannot get over it? The Erlau drawing-rooms have
+been a good school to be sure, and the pupil has learned unexpectedly,
+quickly, and easily. I suspected something of that for long, and
+yet--folly! What is it to me if Reinhold learn at last to repent his
+blindness! And she does not even know how near he is, so near that a
+meeting cannot be avoided much longer. I fear any attempt at
+approaching her would cost Reinhold much dearer than that first one.
+What a singularly icy expression there was in her face when I hinted at
+the possibility of a reconciliation! That;" here Hugo breathed more
+freely, perhaps, in unacknowledged but great satisfaction--"that said,
+No! to all eternity. And if chance or fate lead them together, now, it
+is too late--now _he_ has lost her."
+
+On the mirror-like blue sea a boat glided, which, coming from S----,
+bore in the direction of Mirando. The bark's elegant exterior showed
+that it was the property of some rich family, and the two rowers wore
+the livery of the Tortonis. Nevertheless, for the gentleman, who
+besides these two was the sole occupant of the boat, neither the rapid
+motion nor the magnificent panorama all around appeared to possess the
+slightest interest. He leant back in his seat, with closed eyes, as if
+asleep, and only looked up at last when the boat lay to at the marble
+steps, which led directly down from the villa's terrace to the sea. He
+stepped out. A sign dismissed the two men, who, like all the Marchese's
+servants, were accustomed to pay to their master's celebrated guest,
+the same respect as to himself. A few strokes of the oars carried the
+boat to one side, and immediately after it was anchored in the little
+harbour away by the park.
+
+Reinhold stepped on to the steps, and ascended them slowly. He came
+from S----, where Beatrice had, in the meantime, arrived. As usual, the
+actress here, also, where all foreigners and inhabitants of position
+assembled for their _villegiatura_, was surrounded by acquaintances and
+admirers, and Reinhold no sooner found himself at her side than the
+same fate, and, indeed, to a greater extent, became his. In Beatrice's
+vicinity there was no rest and no relaxation for him; she dragged him
+at once into the vortex with her. The hours, which he intended to spend
+with her, had become days, which in excitement and distraction did not
+yield the palm to the last weeks in town, and after having accompanied
+her yester evening to a large fete, which had continued the whole night
+until morning's dawn, he had torn himself away at day-break, and thrown
+himself into the boat in order to return to Mirando.
+
+He drew a deep breath at the quiet and loneliness around him,
+undisturbed even by a word of greeting or welcome. Cesario, as he knew,
+had early this morning undertaken an expedition to the neighbouring
+island, in Hugo's company, from which both were only expected back
+towards evening, and for strangers the villa was not yet accessible.
+The young Marchese did not like to be disturbed in the seclusion of his
+_villegiatura_, and his steward had received orders not to allow any
+strange visitors to enter during his residence, an order which was
+carried out most strictly, to the great dissatisfaction of travellers,
+by whom Mirando was considered a favourite goal for excursions. The
+estate, with its extensive gardens, and magnificent buildings, which in
+the north would certainly have been called a castle, and here merely
+bore the modest name of a villa, was celebrated far and near, not only
+on account of its paradise-like situation and the boundless view over
+the sea, but also because of the rich art-treasures which it concealed
+inside, and which now merely charmed the eyes of the few who had the
+good fortune of being permitted to call themselves the Marchese's
+guests.
+
+Short of rest, tired, and yet unable to seek repose and sleep, Reinhold
+threw himself on to one of the marble benches in the shade of the
+colonnade; he felt strained to the utmost exhaustion. Yes, these sultry
+Italian nights, with their intoxicating perfume of flowers, and their
+moonlight quiet, or the noisy clamour of a feast, these sunshiny days,
+with the ever-blue sky, and the glowing splendour of the earth's
+colours, they had given him everything of which he had ever dreamed in
+the cold, dreary north; but they had also cost him the best part of his
+life's strength. The time was long since passed when all existence
+appeared to be only one course of glowing intoxication and of inspiring
+dreams to the young composer. This had lasted for months, for years;
+then gradually weariness came on, and at last the awaking, when this
+beautiful world, sparkling with colour, lay so empty and cold before
+him, where the ideals collapsed, and freedom, once so fiercely longed
+for, became an endless desert, to which no duty, but also no desire set
+a limit. With the fetters which he had broken so eagerly and ruthlessly
+he had also lost the reins; he wandered out into the boundless, and the
+boundlessness had become a curse to him.
+
+Certainly, the internal Prometheus-like spark preserved the artist from
+the fate which overtook so many others, from that helpless sinking into
+a sensation of being surfeited and indifferent to everything; but the
+same power which ever and ever again forced him out of it, drove him
+helpless hither and thither, seeking the only thing which was wanting,
+and ever would be wanting. Italy in all its beauty was not able to give
+it to him, not Beatrice's glowing love, not art, which had offered him
+the fullest wealth of fame--the phantom melted so soon as he stretched
+out his arms towards it. And even if the wondrous flora of the south
+had displayed itself to him in all its exhilarating glory, still he
+would not have found the blue flower of the fairy legends.
+
+Reinhold started up suddenly from his dreams, something had disturbed
+him in them. Was it a step, a rustle?--he raised himself, and, with
+extreme surprise, saw a lady standing only a few paces distant on the
+terrace, gazing out over the sea. What could it mean? How did this
+stranger come here, now when Mirando was not accessible to visitors;
+she could only a few minutes since have passed through the open door
+leading into the saloon, which contained the celebrated collection of
+pictures, belonging to the villa, and appeared to have remarked the
+solitary dreamer in the colonnade as little as he had remarked her.
+
+Reinhold had long since become indifferent to woman's beauty, but
+involuntarily this apparition enchained him. She stood under the shadow
+of one of the gigantic vases which ornamented the terrace; only the
+bowed head was caught by the full sunlight, and the heavy blonde plaits
+gleamed in the rays like spun gold. Her face was half averted. Her
+delicate, clear and nobly chiselled profile could hardly be seen. Her
+slight figure in its airy white robes leaned lightly in an undeniably
+graceful attitude against the marble balustrade; her left hand rested
+on it, while the drooping right one held her straw hat decorated with
+flowers. She stood immovable, quite lost in contemplation of the sea,
+and had evidently no idea that she was observed.
+
+It was still early in the day. The morning had risen bright and clear
+out of the sea, and now lay smiling sunnily in dewy freshness over the
+whole country. A blue mist still encircled the mountains and the
+distant coasts, whose lines seemed to tremble as if blown with a breath
+on the horizon, and the still moist air was quivering as if with a
+silvery light. There was something fairy-like in this morning hour and
+this surrounding, above all in yonder white figure with the golden
+glimmering hair, and Mirando itself, with its white marble pillars and
+terraces, appeared like a fairy castle, which had risen out of the
+liquid depths. Deep blue was the arching sky above, and deep blue the
+sea laving its feet. The scent of flowers was wafted hither from the
+gardens, but ghostly silence reigned everywhere, as if all life were
+banished or sunk in sleep. No sound anywhere, nothing but the gentle
+splashing of the sea, ever the same dream-like murmur of the waves,
+which kissed the marble steps, and before one nothing to be seen save
+the blue, heaving expanse, which extended far away into boundless
+distance.
+
+Reinhold remained motionless in his position, he would not disturb the
+charm of this moment by any movement. It was as if a breath of the old
+legendary poems of his home were wafted to him, long forgotten but
+rising now suddenly before him with all their melancholy charms.
+Suddenly this deep calm was interrupted by the clear joyfulness of a
+child's voice. A boy of about seven or eight rushed up the steps of the
+terrace, a large shining mussel shell in his hand, which he had picked
+up somewhere on the shore. The child was evidently most delighted with
+his discovery, his whole little face beamed, as, with glowing cheeks
+and streaming locks, he hastened towards the lady, who turned her head
+round at his cry.
+
+With a half suppressed exclamation, Reinhold sprang up and remained as
+if rooted to the ground. The moment she had turned her face completely
+towards him, he recognised the stranger, who bore Ella's features and
+yet could not be Ella. Bewildered, deadly pale, he stared at the lady,
+whose poetical appearance he had just been admiring, and who yet, in
+every feature, resembled his so despised, and at last forsaken wife.
+She, too, had recognised him; the intense pallor which also overspread
+her face, betrayed it, as did her sudden start backwards. She grasped
+the marble balustrade as if seeking for support, but now the boy had
+reached her and, holding the mussel aloft with both hands, cried
+triumphantly--
+
+"Mamma! dear mamma, see what I have found!"
+
+This roused Reinhold from his stupor. Bewilderment, fright,
+astonishment, all disappeared as he heard his child's voice. Following
+the impulse of the moment, he rushed forward, and stretched out his
+arms, to draw the boy eagerly to his breast.
+
+"Reinhold!"
+
+Almbach stopped as if struck; but the name was not for him, only for
+the boy, who, immediately obeying her call, hastened to his mother.
+With a rapid movement she placed both arms around him, as if to protect
+and conceal her child, and then drew herself up. The pallor had not
+left her face yet, her lips still trembled, but her voice sounded firm
+and energetic.
+
+"You must not trouble strangers, Reinhold. Come, my child! We will
+go."
+
+Almbach started, and stepped back a pace; the tone was as new to him as
+the whole person of her, whom he once called his wife. Had he not
+recognised her voice, he would have believed more than ever in a
+delusion. The little one, on the contrary, looked up in surprise at the
+rebuke. He had not even gone near to the strange gentleman, and
+certainly had not troubled him, but he saw in his mother's
+colourlessness and excitement that something unusual had occurred, and
+the child's large blue eyes fixed themselves defiantly, almost
+antagonistically upon the stranger, who, he guessed instinctively, was
+the cause of his mother's alarm.
+
+Ella bad already recovered herself. She turned to go, her arm still
+held firmly round her boy's shoulder, but Reinhold now stepped hastily
+in her way--she was obliged to stop.
+
+"Will you be so good as to allow us to pass?" said she, coldly and
+distantly. "I beg you to do so."
+
+"What does this mean, Ella?" exclaimed Reinhold, now in passionate
+excitement. "You have recognised me, as well as I have you. Why this
+tone between us?"
+
+She looked at him; in that glance lay the whole reply; icy-cold,
+annihilating scorn; he had indeed never deemed it possible that Ella's
+eyes could look thus, but he turned his to the ground beneath them.
+
+"Will you be so good as to leave us the road free, Signor?" she
+repeated in perfectly pure Italian, as if she imagined that he did not
+understand German. There lay a positive tone of command in the words,
+and Reinhold--obeyed. His self-possession quite lost, he moved aside
+and let her pass. He saw how she descended the steps with the child,
+how a servant below, in strange livery, who seemed to have waited,
+joined them, and how all three hurried through the gardens; but he
+himself still stood above on the terrace and tried to remember whether
+he had been dreaming and the whole had not been merely a picture of his
+imagination.
+
+The noisy locking of the door which led to the picture gallery, brought
+him back to his senses. A few steps took him there, and throwing the
+door open roughly he entered the saloon, where the steward of Mirando
+was just engaged in letting the blinds down again, which he had drawn
+up to give a better light.
+
+"Who was the lady with the child, who was just now on the terrace?"
+With this hasty question, Reinhold rushed in upon the man, who seemed
+shocked when he saw his master's guest before him, having believed him
+still to be in S----; he hesitated with his reply in evident confusion.
+
+"Pardon me, Signor, I had no idea that you had returned already, and as
+Eccellenza and the Signor Capitano are only expected this evening, I
+ventured----"
+
+"Who was the lady?" persisted Reinhold, in feverish impatience, without
+paying attention to the answer. "Where did she come from?--quick, I
+must know it!"
+
+"From the villa Fiorina," said the steward half-wonderingly,
+half-frightened at the questioner's eagerness. "The strange lady wished
+to see Mirando, and let her servant apply for her. Eccellenza has
+certainly ordered that no visitors are to be admitted during his
+residence here, but this morning no one was at home, so I thought I
+might make an exception;" he paused, and then added, in a tone of
+entreaty, "It would be sure to cause me great trouble with Eccellenza,
+if Signor Rinaldo were to tell him."
+
+"I? no," said Reinhold, absently, "what was the lady's name?"
+
+"Erlau, if I understood rightly."
+
+"Erlau?--oh!" Almbach passed his hand over his forehead; "That is all,
+Mariano, thank you," said he, and left the saloon.
+
+                           *   *   *   *   *
+
+The day had become burningly hot, nor did the evening bring coolness or
+refreshment. Air and sea did not appear to be stirred by any breath,
+and the sun went down in hot clouds of mist. In the villa Fiorina also
+they seemed to suffer from the oppression. The inhabitants confined
+themselves probably to the cooler rooms, as the jalousies had not been
+opened the whole day, and the glass doors which led to the terrace
+remained closed. The German family hardly occupied half of the
+capacious dwelling which it had engaged entirely for itself. A
+few rooms to the right of the garden saloon were arranged for the
+Consul--those on the opposite side were inhabited by his adopted
+daughter, with her child; the servants were located in the back
+apartments, and the rest remained empty.
+
+The evening was already far advanced when Ella entered the garden
+saloon, which was illuminated by a lamp. The Consul had retired to
+rest, and she came from her boy, whom, after he had fallen asleep, she
+had left to his attendant's care. Perhaps it was the dim light which
+made her face still appear pale; the colour had not returned to it
+since the morning, even although her features seemed perfectly calm.
+
+She opened the glass door and stepped out on to the terrace. Outside,
+perfect darkness reigned already; no moon's rays pierced the clouds
+which still enveloped the sky, no breath of wind from the sea moved the
+blooming shrubs; sultry and heavy, the air seemed regularly to weigh
+upon the earth, and the sea lay in idle repose, almost motionless. It
+was alarming in this dense stillness and darkness, yet Ella appeared to
+prefer this to remaining in the lighted garden saloon. She stood
+leaning against the stone balustrade, as in the morning, partially
+still in the pale circle of light which fell through the open door on
+to the terrace, and, although indistinctly, displayed the slight form.
+
+A few moments may have passed thus, when she was startled by a noise
+near her. With a low cry, she tried to take refuge in the house, as
+close by her there stood a tall, dark man's figure; at the same moment,
+however, a hand was laid upon her arm, and a suppressed voice said--
+
+"Be composed, Ella, it is neither a robber nor a thief who stands
+before you, although you have forced me to choose the path of such an
+one."
+
+The young wife had recognised Reinhold's voice at the first word, but
+she only drew back nearer to the threshold of the glass door.
+
+"What do you desire, Signor?" said she coldly, in Italian. "And what
+does this intrusion at such an hour mean?"
+
+Reinhold had followed her, but he did not again attempt to touch her
+arm, or even go near her.
+
+"Above all, I wish you to have the goodness to speak German to me,"
+retorted he, with difficulty restraining his excitement. "I have not
+quite forgotten our own language, as you seem to suppose. Whence do I
+come? From yonder boat! The terrace, at least is not so inaccessible as
+the doors of your house, which remained closed to me."
+
+He pointed towards the sea. It was a risk to ascend the high stone
+terrace from a tossing boat, but Reinhold did not seem to be in a mood
+to think of the possibility of danger. He had apparently been there
+already when she came out, and now continued more excitedly--
+
+"It is probably not unknown to you that I have been here once already
+this morning. But you refused me, or rather Erlau did, because as a
+matter of course I was not so wanting in tact as to enquire for you. He
+neither received me nor the note, which contained my petition, yet you
+must both have known what brought me here, so nothing but self-help
+remained. You see I have gained admittance after all."
+
+He spoke with keenest bitterness. The proud composer felt the double
+rejection which he had experienced to-day to be a deadly insult. One
+could hear how he struggled with his pride, even now, for every word,
+and it must have been a powerful motive which brought him here,
+notwithstanding all, and by such a path! His wife had clearly no share
+in it, as he stood opposite her in gloomy, unbending defiance. As a
+boy, Reinhold Almbach could never bear to humble himself, not even when
+he knew himself to be wrong, and during the latter years he had too
+often gained the dangerous experience that any error he committed was
+covered by the right of genius, which may permit itself to do almost
+anything.
+
+While these last words were being spoken, they had entered the garden
+below. In the middle of it Ella stopped.
+
+"Signor Rinaldo appears to have mistaken his way, this time," said she,
+certainly in German, but in the same tone as before. "Yonder in S----,
+lies the villa where Signora Biancona resides, and it can only be a
+mistake which landed his boat at our terrace."
+
+The reproach hit him; Almbach's defiant look sank, and for a few
+moments he was at a loss for a reply.
+
+"I do not seek Signora Biancona this time," replied he at last, "and
+that I am not permitted to seek Eleonore Almbach, she showed me
+sufficiently this morning. It was not my intention to offend you again
+by sight of me; it would have been spared you, had you acceded to my
+written request. I came to see my child alone."
+
+With a rapid step the young wife reached the bedroom door, and placed
+herself before it. She did not speak a word, but in the evident
+internal emotion there lay such an energetic protest, that Reinhold
+immediately understood her intention.
+
+"Will you not allow me to embrace my son?" asked he, angrily.
+
+"No," was the firm reply, given with the most positive determination.
+
+Reinhold was about to fly into a passion; she saw how he clenched his
+fist, but he forced himself to be calm.
+
+"I see that I did your late father injustice," said he, bitterly; "I
+took it to be his work that all news of my boy was withheld from me.
+Did you read my first letter yourself, and leave it unanswered?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"And returned the second unopened?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+Reinhold's face changed from red to white; mutely he gazed at his wife,
+from whose lips he had never heard an expression of her own will, much
+less any opposition--whom he only knew as humbly and silently obedient,
+and who now dared to refuse with such decision to grant him what he
+considered his own right.
+
+"Take care, Ella," said he, firmly, "whatever may have taken place
+between us, whatever you may have to reproach me with, this tone of
+scorn I will not endure; and above all, I will not tolerate being
+refused the sight of my boy. I will see my child."
+
+The demand sounded almost threatening. The young wife's pale cheeks
+began to colour slightly, but she did not move from her place.
+
+"Your child?" asked she, slowly; "the boy belongs to me, me only; you
+lost every right to him when you left him with me."
+
+"That may still be questioned," cried Almbach, beginning to wax
+furious. "Are we judicially separated? Has the law given Reinhold to
+you? He remains my son, whatever there may be between you and me; and
+if you refuse me my rights as a father any longer, I shall know how to
+enforce them."
+
+The threat was not without effect, but it quite failed in its purpose.
+Ella drew herself up, and exclaimed with quivering lips, but with great
+energy--
+
+"You will not do that; you have not the conscience to do it, and if you
+had, there is, thank God, another power to which I can appeal, and
+which is, perhaps, not quite so indifferent to you as the family bonds
+and duties which you broke so lightly. The world would learn that
+Signor Rinaldo, after he had forsaken his wife and child for years, and
+had not enquired after them, now dares to threaten his wife with the
+same laws which he scorned and spurned with his feet, because she does
+not choose that her boy should call him father; and all your fame, and
+all the adoration yonder, would not protect you from the merited
+contempt."
+
+"Eleonore!"
+
+It was a cry of rage which escaped his lips as she uttered the last
+word, and his eyes flashed in terrific wildness down upon the delicate
+form standing before him. Once Reinhold's passion was excited to its
+utmost, it knew no limits, and all around him were wont to tremble.
+Even Beatrice, although so little his inferior in violence, dared not
+at such moments irritate him farther; she knew where the line was
+drawn, and once this was reached she always yielded. Here it was
+different; the first time for years he was stranded by another's will;
+before the eyes which met his own, so clear and large, his defiance
+succumbed altogether--he was silent.
+
+"You see yourself that it would be worse than mockery were you to
+resort to law," said his wife, more calmly.
+
+Reinhold leaned heavily against the seat near which he stood. Was it
+shame or anger made the hand tremble which buried itself in the
+cushion?
+
+"I see that I laboured under a serious mistake when I believed I knew
+the woman who was called my wife for two years," replied he, in a
+singularly compressed tone. "Had you only once shown yourself to be the
+same Eleonore whom I meet now, much would have remained undone. Who
+taught you this language?"
+
+"The hour in which you forsook me," replied she, with annihilating
+coldness, as she turned away.
+
+"That hour seems to have given you much more that was once foreign to
+you--the pleasure of revenge, for example."
+
+"And the pride, which I never knew, towards you," completed Ella. "I
+had first to be crushed to the ground, but it awoke and showed me what
+I owed to myself and my child, the only thing you had left to me, the
+only thing that kept me up; for his sake I began again to learn, to
+work, when the time for learning lay far behind me; for his sake I
+roused myself above the prejudices and trammels of my education, and
+gave my life a new direction when my parents' death made me free. I
+must be everything now to the child, as it was everything to me, and I
+had sworn that my child should never be ashamed of its mother, as his
+father was ashamed of her, because externally she was inferior to other
+women."
+
+Almbach's brow was dyed a deeper red at the last words--
+
+"It was not my intention to dispute Reinhold with you," said he
+hastily. "I only wished to see him in your presence if it must be. You
+know only too well what a weapon the child is in your hands, and you
+use it mercilessly against me, Ella." He came nearer to her and for the
+first time there was something like a tone of entreaty in his voice.
+"Ella, it is our child. This link at least extends out of the past into
+the present, the only one between us which is not broken. Will you
+break it now? Shall the chance which brought us together really remain
+merely chance? It lies in your hands to make it a turning point of fate
+which may perhaps be for the good of us both."
+
+The hint was plain enough, but the young wife drew back, and on her
+countenance again that expression, full of meaning--that "No!" spoke to
+all eternity.
+
+"For us both?" repeated she. "Then you really believe I could find
+happiness by your side, after all you have done to me? Truly Reinhold,
+you must be much impressed with your own value, or my worthlessness,
+that you venture to offer it to me. Certainly, when could you have
+learned respect for me? It was not possible in my parents' house. I was
+brought up in obedience and submission, and I brought both to my
+husband. What was my reward for it? I was the last in his house, and
+the last in his heart. He never thought it worth while to ask if the
+woman, to whom he had bound himself, was really so contracted in mind,
+so incapable of appreciating anything higher, or if she were only
+rendered timid by the oppression of her mode of bringing up, from which
+we both suffered. He rejected my shy attempt to approach him,
+scornfully, woundingly, and let me feel hourly and daily that only the
+merit of being his child's mother gave me any claim upon his endurance.
+And when art and life were opened to him, he cast me aside as a burden,
+which he had borne long enough with dislike; he gave me up to be the
+talk of the world, to scorn, to dishonouring pity; he left me for the
+sake of another, and at this other's side never asked if his wife's
+heart were broken at the death-stroke he had dealt her--and now, you
+think that only one word is needed to undo all this! You think you only
+require to stretch out your hand to draw to yourself again that which
+once you rejected! Do you think it? No; one cannot play so with what is
+holiest upon earth; and if you thought the despised, repulsed Ella
+would obey the first sign by which you signify that you would take her
+back into favour, I tell you now she would rather die with her child,
+than follow you once more. You have set yourself free from your duties
+as husband and father, and we have learnt to do without the husband and
+father. You have shown it, plainly enough, that we are the 'bonds'
+which fettered the wings of your genius--well, now they are broken,
+broken by you, and I give you my word for it, they shall never oppress
+you again. You have your laurels and your--muse; what do you want with
+wife and child also?"
+
+She ceased, overcome with excitement, and pressed both hands against
+her stormily heaving bosom. Reinhold had become deadly pale, and yet
+his eyes hung on her as if enchained. The lamp-light fell full upon her
+face and the fair plaits as on that evening when he announced the
+separation so mercilessly. But what had become of that Ella who then
+hung timidly and shyly on his looks, and obediently followed every
+sign, every mood? No one trait of her was to be discovered in the being
+who stood drawn up opposite him, so haughty and proud, and who hurled
+back so energetically upon him the humiliations she had once received.
+They could burn, these blue fairy-tale eyes, burn in glowing
+indignation; he saw this now, but he saw also, for the first time, how
+wondrously beautiful they were, how ravishing the whole appearance of
+the young wife--in the excitement, and amid the anger and rage of the
+highly irritated husband, something flashed out which almost resembled
+admiration.
+
+"Is that your final word?" asked he at last, after a pause of some
+seconds.
+
+"My final one!"
+
+With a rapid movement, Reinhold drew himself up. All his antagonism and
+pride broke forth again at this mode of refusal. He went towards the
+door, while Ella remained immovable at her post, but at the threshold
+he stopped once more and turned back.
+
+"I did not ask if my wife's heart were broken by the death-stroke which
+I dealt her," repeated he in a smothered voice; "Did you feel it at all,
+Ella?"
+
+She was silent.
+
+"I certainly did not believe it then," continued Reinhold bitterly,
+"and to-day's meeting makes me doubt more than ever that your heart
+suffered from a separation which certainly wounded your pride more
+deeply than I had ever deemed possible. You need not guard the door so
+anxiously; I see, indeed, that I must first dash you aside in order to
+reach the child, and that courage I possess not. You have conquered
+this time; I renounce my purpose of seeing him again. Farewell!"
+
+He went. She heard his steps outside on the terrace, then the rustle of
+the shrubs as he pushed his way through them, and at last the stroke of
+the oars, which bore the boat away from the shore. The wife breathed
+more freely, and left the place she had defended so energetically. She
+went to the glass door; perhaps a slight anxiety arose in her as to
+whether the venturesome leap from the terrace would be as successful as
+the ascent to it had been, but in the darkness nothing could be
+distinguished. As before, the sea lay in idle calm. Far above, the
+still, sultry night spread its wings, and flowers bloomed all around,
+but every trace of Reinhold had disappeared.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER II.
+
+
+The clear balmy spring days were followed by summer's burning glow. The
+gulf and its environs lay day after day illuminated by the sun in all
+their beauty, but also in the almost tropical heat of the south; only
+the sea breeze brought any coolness, so that the sea was the object of
+most excursions which were now undertaken.
+
+This repose of nature, which had continued for some weeks, was followed
+at last by an outbreak; a thunderstorm raged in the air, and stirred up
+the ocean to its innermost depths. The storm had come up so quickly,
+broken loose so suddenly, that no one had been prepared for it, and it
+had lasted for more than an hour already, with undiminished fury.
+
+A boat shot through the foaming waves, and, apparently overtaken by the
+storm, found itself struggling with the billows. For some time it had
+been in danger of being seized without hope of rescue, and dashed out
+into the open sea, but now with full sails set it flew towards the
+coast, and after a few futile attempts succeeded at last in being
+landed.
+
+"That is really racing with the storm for a wager," cried Hugo Almbach,
+as he, wet through with rain and spray, was the first to spring on
+shore. "For this once we have fortunately escaped the wet embrace of
+the goddess of the sea. We were near enough to her."
+
+"It was lucky having such a true sailor with us," said Marchese
+Tortoni, following him in a not less wet condition. "It was a
+master-work, Signor Capitano, bringing us safely on shore in such a
+storm. We should have been lost without you." Reinhold lifted the half
+unconscious Signora Biancona, who clung to him, trembling and deadly
+pale, out of the boat. "For heaven's sake, calm yourself, Beatrice! The
+danger is over," said he impatiently, as the last occupant of the boat,
+the English gentleman, who had been present at Hugo's former
+_incognito_ discussion with Maestro Gianelli, also gained _terra
+firma_.
+
+In the meanwhile, Jonas poured forth all his contempt upon the two
+sailors to whom the guidance had originally been entrusted, and who
+fortunately did not understand the terms of praise addressed to them in
+German.
+
+"They call themselves sailors, they want to manage a ship, and when a
+paltry storm comes on, they lose their heads and cry to their saints.
+If my Herr Captain had not seized the rudder out of your hands, and I
+taken the sails upon myself, we should now be lying below with the
+sharks. I should like you to experience such a storm as our 'Ellida'
+underwent before we ran in here, then you would know what a little
+blowing on your gulf means."
+
+The little blowing would have been looked upon by any one else than the
+sailor as a regular stiff storm. At all events it had endangered the
+lives of the party, and they owed their safety only to the energetic
+guidance of Captain Almbach, who now turned aside from the Marchese's
+and the Englishman's expression of thanks.
+
+"Do not mention it, Signor! Such a trip is nothing new or unusual to
+me. I only pitied you, on account of the disagreeable circumstances in
+which you had been placed by the temper of a pretty woman."
+
+"Yes, women are to blame for everything," muttered Jonas furiously,
+while Hugo continued in an undertone--
+
+"I knew two hours ago what the sky and sea prophesied to us,
+notwithstanding their bright appearance. You know how earnestly I
+opposed the trip; however, Signora Biancona insisted positively upon
+it, and condescended to scoff at the 'timid sailor,' who could not even
+'venture upon his own element.' I think surely my courage will be
+rather less doubtful in her eyes; hers on the contrary"--he broke off
+suddenly, and made a few steps to the other side. "May I enquire how
+you feel, Signora?"
+
+Beatrice still trembled; but the sight of her opponent, who stood
+before her like the perfection of politeness, and perfection of malice,
+restored her consciousness to some extent. That he opposed the
+expedition had been sufficient to make her insist upon it with intense
+obstinacy, and render the other gentlemen deaf to all warning by her
+mocking remarks. The deadly fear of the last hour had given her a
+bitter lesson, certainly, and it was still more bitter to be obliged to
+owe her life to Captain Almbach, who had become the hero of the day,
+while she during the danger had shown herself anything but heroic.
+
+"Thank you--I am better," answered she, still struggling between anger
+and confusion.
+
+"I am delighted to hear that," assured Hugo, as in the midst of the
+rain he made her an unexceptionable drawing-room bow, "and now I shall
+put myself at the head of an expedition of discovery into the interior.
+Go on Jonas, reconnoitre the territory! Reinhold, you are no stranger
+here in the neighbourhood; do you not know where we are?"
+
+"No," replied Reinhold, after a short and rapid glance around.
+
+"And you, Marchese Tortoni?"
+
+Cesario shrugged his shoulders--
+
+"I regret that I also am unable to give you any information. I seldom
+leave the immediate environs of Mirando; besides, in such weather it is
+almost impossible to know one's bearings."
+
+This certainly was true; earth, sky and sea seemed to flow into one
+another in rolling mist. He could see barely a hundred yards over the
+raging sea, and not much farther over the land. No hills, no landmarks
+were visible; a dense grey veil of fog imprisoned everything, and yet
+Captain Almbach did not allow that to be any excuse.
+
+"Unpractical, artist natures!" muttered he, annoyed. "They sit there
+for months in their Mirando and go into ecstasies day after day about
+the incomparable beauty of their gulf, but do not know the coast, and
+if once they are a mile away from the great tourist highway, they have
+no idea where they are. Lord Elton, will you be so good as come to my
+side? I think we are both best suited to being pioneers."
+
+Lord Elton, who at the first meeting had been much pleased with Hugo's
+mischievous nature, and who had been highly impressed by him to-day,
+acceded immediately to the request. With the same imperturbable calm
+which he had shown before in danger, he placed himself at the sailor's
+side and went forward, while the other gentlemen followed with
+Beatrice.
+
+"It appears to me that chance has thrown us on a rather benighted
+coast," said Hugo, scoffingly, upon whose temper the weather did not
+exercise the slightest influence. "According to my calculations, we
+must be quite ten or twelve miles distant from S----, and on our left
+some hills are faintly visible through the fog, with very suspicious
+looking ravines. Gennaro's band is said to frequent these mountains.
+What should you say, my Lord, if we were to taste some of the regular
+Italian romance of horror?"
+
+Lord Elton turned with sudden liveliness to the ravines pointed out,
+which certainly looked unpleasant enough in the thick fog, and scanned
+them attentively.
+
+"Indeed, that would be very interesting."
+
+"Provided there were a pretty 'brigandess' amongst them, not
+otherwise," added Hugo.
+
+"Gennaro's band has no woman with it. I have learned all particulars,"
+said the former, seriously.
+
+"What a pity! The band seems to be very uncivilised still, that it has
+so little consideration for the natural wishes of its honoured guests.
+However, that would be something for my Jonas--a life without women! If
+he were to hear us he would desert and take his oath of allegiance to
+Gennaro's flag; I must take care of him."
+
+"Do not joke so thoughtlessly," interposed the Marchese. "Remember,
+Signor, we have a lady with us, and are all unarmed."
+
+"Excepting my Lord, who always carries a six chamber revolver with him
+as a pocket match-box," said Hugo, laughing. "We others did not think
+it necessary to load ourselves with weapons when we undertook this
+harmless expedition. Besides, we have more efficacious protection
+to-day than two dozen carabineers would give us. In this rain no
+brigand would venture forth."
+
+"Do you think so?" asked Lord Elton in unmistakable disappointment.
+
+"Certainly, my Lord! and for my part I think it will be better to
+forego the pleasure party in the mountains this time. Is it not also
+remarkable that we two, the only non-artists in the party, are the only
+two who appear to have any sense of the romance of the situation? My
+brother," here Hugo lowered his voice, "walks by Signora Biancona like
+an irritated lion; besides he is now in his lion's mood, and it is
+wisest to approach him as little as possible. Signora never brought
+tragic despair to such perfection of expression on the stage as at this
+moment, and Marchese Cesario stares illogically into the mist instead
+of admiring our highly effective expedition in the rain. Ah, there
+something peeps out like a building, and Jonas returns from his
+_reconnaissance_. Well, what is it?"
+
+"A _locanda_!" reported Jonas, who had gone on in front and was
+returning hastily. "Now we are sheltered," added he triumphantly.
+
+"Heaven has mercy," cried Hugo, pathetically, as he turned round to
+impart the welcome news to the others. The prospect of shelter being
+near did indeed revive the sinking courage of the party; they redoubled
+their steps, and soon found themselves in the covered entrance of the
+house indicated.
+
+"The rough sailor's cloak has been made enviably happy to-day," said
+Captain Almbach, as he removed his garment from Signora Biancona's
+shoulders in the most polite manner. "I knew we should require it
+to-day, therefore I ventured to bring it with me. The cloak quite
+protected you, Signora."
+
+Beatrice pressed her lips hastily together, as with forced thanks she
+returned the shielding wrap. It had been hard enough to accept it from
+Captain Almbach's hand; however, he was the only person in possession
+of such a thing, and no choice remained to her, if she did not wish to
+be quite wet through. But like all passionate natures, she could not
+endure mockery, and this detested courtesy of her opponent never gave
+her the opportunity of decided antagonism towards him, and kept her
+mercilessly fast within the limits of social requirements.
+
+The _locanda_, which lay rather lonely by the shore away from the great
+tourist highways, was not one of those which are frequented by more
+distinguished guests, and left much to be wished for as regards
+cleanliness and comfort, but the weather and their thoroughly damp
+state did not allow the guests to be particular. At any rate there were
+some apartments which were called guest chambers, and really at times
+served young painters and wandering tourists as a night's quarters.
+Beatrice was horrified on entering, and the Marchese looked with mute
+resignation at these rooms, which were certainly very unlike those of
+his Mirando; Lord Elton on the contrary reconciled himself better to
+the inevitable, and so far as the two brothers were concerned, Reinhold
+appeared quite indifferent to the style of the reception, and Hugo much
+amused by it. They now learned also that they were quite twelve miles
+distant from S----, and that another travelling party had already
+sought refuge here from the storm. But fortunately it had arrived at
+the beginning of the same, and in a carriage, therefore had not
+suffered from the rain like the lady and gentlemen just reaching it, at
+whose disposal all which the place contained was readily placed.
+
+A quarter of an hour later, Hugo entered the general public and
+reception-room, and with his foot softly pushed aside a black, bristly
+object, which had laid itself just before the door with admirable
+coolness, and now left its place grunting crossly.
+
+"These dear little animals appear to be considered quite fit for a
+drawing-room here; with us they are merely so in a roasted state," said
+he, quietly. "I wanted to see where you were, Reinhold. My God, you are
+still in your wet clothes. Why have you not changed?"
+
+Reinhold, who stood at the window and gazed out at the sea, turned and
+cast an abstracted look at his brother, who already, like the other
+gentlemen, had made use of the padrone's and his son's Sunday clothes
+brought hastily to them.
+
+"Changed my clothes? Oh to be sure, I had forgotten."
+
+"Then do it now!" urged Hugo. "Do you wish to ruin your health
+entirely?"
+
+Reinhold made an impatient deprecating gesture. "Leave me alone! What a
+fuss about a storm of rain."
+
+"Well, the rain storm was within a hair's breadth of being fatal to
+us," said Captain Almbach, "and I can bear testimony, as pilot, that my
+ship's crew behaved bravely, with the single exception of Donna
+Beatrice. She made rather extensive use of her rights as a lady, first
+by bringing us into danger, and then increasing its difficulties
+tenfold."
+
+"For which you have the triumph that she owes her life to you, as do we
+all," suggested Reinhold, indifferently.
+
+Hugo looked sharply at his brother. "Which in your case you seem to
+value very slightly."
+
+"I, why?"
+
+He did not wait for the reply, and turned again to the window; but Hugo
+was already at his side and put an arm round his shoulder.
+
+"What is the matter, Reinhold?" asked he again in the tone of former
+tenderness with which he once surrounded the younger brother--whom he
+knew to be oppressed and miserable in their relations' house--and which
+had now become so rare between them. Reinhold was silent.
+
+"I hoped you would at last find the rest here which you sought for so
+passionately," continued Captain Almbach, more seriously, "instead of
+which you rush about worse than ever during the last week. We are
+barely, even nominally, the Marchese's guests any more. You drag him
+and us all into this constant change of distractions and excursions.
+From ship to carriage, from carriage to mules, as if every moment of
+repose or solitude were a torture to you, and once we are in the midst
+of the excitement you are often enough like a marble guest amongst us.
+What has happened?"
+
+Reinhold turned, not violently but decidedly, away from Hugo's arms.
+
+"That, I cannot tell you."
+
+"Reinhold--"
+
+"Leave me--I beg you."
+
+Captain Almbach stepped back; he saw the repulse did not proceed from
+temper; the faint, constrained tone, betrayed suppressed pain only too
+well, but he knew of old that nothing could be gained from his brother
+in such a state of mind.
+
+"The storm seems to be at an end," said he, after a short pause, "but
+at present it will be useless thinking of our return. We cannot under
+any circumstances venture on the boisterous sea again to-day, and the
+road will be in a bad enough state, too. I have promised the gentlemen
+to obtain some information respecting it for them, as to whether our
+return would be possible to-day, and if we may not expect a second
+outbreak from the clouds. The verandah up there seems to offer a
+tolerably free view; I will try it."
+
+He left the room, and ascended the stairs. The verandah lay on the
+other side of the house; it was a large stone adjunct, which probably
+dated from a former more brilliant period of the building, now, like
+the latter, neglected, half decayed, but extremely picturesque in its
+ruins and with its creeping vines, which climbed around the pillars and
+balustrade. A long open gallery led into it, and Hugo was just going to
+pass along it, when he was arrested. A pigeon fluttered immediately
+before him, chased by a boy in distinguished, fashionable-looking
+dress. The tame bird, accustomed to mankind, did not think seriously of
+flight; it flitted, as if playfully, along the floor, and only when the
+little arms were stretched out to catch it, did it soar easily up to
+the roof of the house, while the eager little follower rushed forward
+in wild career, and so ran up against Captain Almbach.
+
+"See there, Signorino, that was nearly becoming a collision," said
+Hugo, as he caught the little one; but the latter, still full of
+eagerness for the chase, stretched both hands up above, and cried
+vivaciously in German--
+
+"I do so want the bird. Can you not catch him for me?"
+
+"No, my little sportsman, I cannot, unless I could put on wings," said
+Hugo, playfully, as he examined the boy closer, astonished to hear his
+own language. He started, looked intently into his eyes a few seconds,
+and then lifted him up suddenly, to fold him with increasing tenderness
+in his arms.
+
+The little one permitted the caress to take place calmly, but somewhat
+astonished. "You speak just like mamma and uncle Erlau," said he
+confidingly. "I do not understand any one else, and at home I
+understood all."
+
+"Is your mamma here also?" enquired Hugo, hastily.
+
+The child nodded, and pointed to the other side. Captain Almbach put
+him down quickly, and stepped on to the verandah with him, where Ella
+was coming towards them, and stood still in speechless surprise when
+she saw her boy holding his uncle's hand.
+
+"Must we meet here?" cried the latter, greeting her eagerly. "I thought
+you never left Villa Fiorina, especially in such weather."
+
+"It is the first excursion, too, that we have attempted," replied Ella.
+"My uncle's continued improved health led us to undertake a visit to
+the temple ruins in the mountains, but on our return journey the storm
+overtook us, and as the horses threatened to become unmanageable, we
+were glad to find shelter and refuge here."
+
+"We are in the same plight," reported Hugo, "only it was worse for us,
+as we came by water."
+
+A momentary pallor spread over Ella's countenance.
+
+"How? You are accompanied by your brother? I imagined it when I saw
+you."
+
+Hugo made a gesture of assent. "You told me you wished to avoid a
+meeting at any price," began he again.
+
+"I. wished it; yes!" interrupted she, firmly, "but it was impossible.
+We have seen each other already."
+
+"I thought so!" muttered Captain Almbach. "Thence his incomprehensible
+reserve."
+
+"Why did you not tell me you were guests of the owner of Mirando?"
+asked Ella, reproachfully. "I believed you to be in S----, and went
+unsuspectingly to see the villa. Only when too late did I learn who was
+staying in our immediate neighbourhood."
+
+Hugo scanned her face with a rapid glance, as if he wished to assure
+himself of her self-possession.
+
+"You spoke to Reinhold?" said he, in extreme anxiety, without noticing
+her reproach. "Well, then?"
+
+"Well, then?" replied she, with an almost harsh expression, "Do not be
+afraid! Signor Rinaldo knows now that he must remain at a distance from
+me and my son. He will acknowledge us at any possible meeting as little
+as I shall acknowledge him."
+
+"To-day it would certainly be impossible," replied Hugo seriously, "as
+he is not alone. I fear, Ella, even that will not be spared you."
+
+"You mean a meeting with Signora Biancona?" Ella could not preserve her
+lips from trembling as she uttered the name, however much she forced
+herself to appear calm, "Well, if it cannot be avoided, I shall know
+how to endure it."
+
+During this conversation they had drawn near the balustrade. The storm
+was really over, and the sluices of heaven seemed to have exhausted
+themselves at last, but the air still hung damp and laden with rain.
+The wet vines, torn and disordered by the storm, still fluttered about,
+and drops of rain ran down from the saint's picture in the badly
+sheltered niche in the wall. Below rolled the sea, still wildly
+disturbed; the usually so quiet sapphire blue mirror was only a wild
+chaos of iron-grey currents and white foaming crests of waves, which
+broke hissing and surging on the shore. But the mist, which until now
+had enveloped the whole country in an impenetrable veil, commenced to
+melt at last, and land-marks came out distinctly already; only around
+the higher points did it still cling and hang, while in the west a
+clearer gleam of light began to struggle with the disappearing clouds.
+
+"How did you recognise my little Reinhold?" asked Ella suddenly, in
+quite an altered tone. "You did not see him at your last visit, and
+when you left H---- he had barely passed his first year of life."
+
+Hugo leant down to the child, and lifted up its little head.
+
+"How I recognised him?" replied he smiling; "by his eyes. He has yours,
+Ella, and they are not so easily mistaken, even if they look out of
+another's face. I should know them amongst hundreds."
+
+His tone had almost a passionate warmth. The young wife drew slightly
+aside.
+
+"Since when have you begun to pay me compliments, Hugo?"
+
+"Are compliments so unusual to you, Ella?"
+
+"From your lips, certainly."
+
+"Yes, certainly. I dare not venture upon what you allow to every one
+else," said Captain Almbach, with a slight accent of bitterness. "The
+attempt has once already obtained me the name of 'adventurer.'"
+
+"It seems as if you could never forget that word," said Ella, half
+smiling.
+
+He threw his head back defiantly. "No, I cannot, as it pained me, and
+therefore I cannot get over it, even until this moment."
+
+"Pained you?" repeated Ella. "Can, indeed, anything pain you, Hugo?"
+
+"That is to say, in other words--'have you then indeed a heart, Hugo?'
+Oh, no, I do _not_ possess such an article at all; I came off badly at
+the distribution of the same; you must surely have discovered that."
+
+"I do not mean that," interposed Ella, "I give you all credit for the
+warmest feelings."
+
+"But no earnestness, no depth?"
+
+"No."
+
+Captain Almbach looked at her silently for a few seconds; at last he
+said softly--
+
+"Was it necessary, Ella, to give me such a harsh lesson, because T
+ventured lately to kiss your hand, which perhaps displeased you? I know
+what this 'No' means. You see I understand hints, and shall take note
+of to-day's. You need not be afraid."
+
+A slight blush passed over Ella's features, as she saw that he
+understood her. "I did not wish to wound you, indeed not," she
+answered, and put her hand out heartily, but Hugo stood obstinately
+averted, and appeared not to notice it.
+
+"Are you angry with me?" she asked. It was a touchingly-beseeching
+tone, and it did not fail in its intention. Captain Almbach turned
+round suddenly, and caught her offered hand, but in his answer
+excitement and the old love of teasing struggled again, and were
+suppressed with difficulty, as he replied--
+
+"If my late uncle and aunt could see us now, they would observe with
+intense satisfaction how their daughter holds the incorrigible Hugo by
+the head--he who will usually obey no other reins--how she will not
+permit him to go even one step beyond those limits which she finds it
+good to draw. No, I am not angry with you, Ella--cannot be so--only you
+must not make obedience too hard for me."
+
+Both were still engaged in lively conversation, when Marchese Tortoni
+and Lord Elton also entered the verandah from the gallery.
+
+"Look there," said the former, astonished, to his companion, "that is
+the reason why our Capitano's observations are so endlessly prolonged
+that we are obliged to look him up at last. It is indeed an
+extraordinary nature. An hour ago he forced our boat through storm and
+waves, and now he plays the agreeable to a young signora."
+
+"Yes, an extraordinary man," agreed Lord Elton, who had taken such a
+blind fancy to Hugo, that he thought everything perfect in him.
+
+The unbearable sultry air in the close rooms appeared to have driven
+the whole party out on to the verandah, as immediately after the two
+gentlemen Reinhold and Beatrice appeared also. If his wife were
+prepared for this encounter, he certainly was not, as he became pale as
+death, and made a movement as if to turn back; but at the same moment
+the boy's fair, curly head appeared from behind the young wife, and, as
+if transfixed, the father stood still. His glance directed openly to
+the child, he appeared to have forgotten all else around him.
+
+"What a lovely child!" cried Beatrice, admiringly, as she stretched her
+arms out with perfect assurance; but now Ella started up! with a single
+movement she had withdrawn the boy from the intended caress, and
+pressed him firmly to herself.
+
+"Excuse me, Signora," said she, coldly, "the child is shy with
+strangers, and not accustomed to _such_ caresses."
+
+Beatrice seemed somewhat offended at this repulse; however she saw
+nothing more in it than a mother's over-due anxiety. She shrugged her
+shoulders imperceptibly, and a scoffing side-glance fell upon the
+stranger, but it soon remained enchained by the latter's appearance,
+although recognition only took place on one side.
+
+Before Ella's recollection, that evening stood forth in perfect
+distinctness when she, alone, without knowledge of her people, her veil
+drawn closely over her face, hastened to the theatre, in order to see
+the one who had so completely alienated her husband. She had seen
+Beatrice in all the brilliancy of her beauty and talent, intoxicated by
+the cheers and homage of the public, and she bore the impression
+ineffaceably away with her.
+
+Beatrice, also, had only once seen Reinhold's wife, at the time when
+she first began to be interested in the young composer, and Ella did
+not then suspect anything of her evil influence. A short meeting of a
+few minutes sufficed for the Italian to perceive that this quiet, pale
+being, with downcast eyes, and that ridiculously matronly costume,
+could not possibly bind such a man to her, and this knowledge was
+extensive enough for her not to take any further notice of the young
+wife. At all events it was impossible for her to associate the
+colourless, half ridiculous, and half pitiful picture, which she
+carried in her recollection, in the remotest degree with this
+apparition, which stood so unapproachably proudly there, which held its
+fair head so high and erect, and whose large blue eyes looked at her
+with an expression which Beatrice was unable to explain to herself. She
+only saw that the stranger was very haughty, but also very beautiful.
+
+The two gentlemen seemed to think the latter also, as they came nearer,
+bowing politely; Lord Elton gazed at Ella with open admiration, and the
+Marchese, whom Hugo had often reproached for blamable indifference to
+ladies' acquaintance, said with unusual eagerness to him--
+
+"You appear to know the Signora. May we not also count upon the
+pleasure of being introduced to her?"
+
+Captain Almbach, as if to protect her, had placed himself by the young
+wife's side. Between his eyebrows lay a frown which seldom appeared on
+his cheerful brow, and it became still deeper at this request, which
+could not possibly be refused. He therefore introduced the two
+gentlemen, and named his countrywoman to them as Frau Erlau. He knew
+that Ella, in order to anticipate unpleasant enquiries, to which the
+name of Almbach might easily give rise, bore that of her adopted
+father, so long as she remained in Italy.
+
+Beatrice's eyes flashed with offended pride. She was not accustomed to
+herself and Reinhold being mentioned last in such cases, and here she
+was not even named at all. Captain Almbach ignored her altogether, and
+appeared actually to do so on purpose, as the angry look which she cast
+towards him was received with aggravating coldness; but even Cesario
+was struck by the want of tact that his usually charming friend
+displayed. While he uttered a few civilities to the strange lady, he
+waited in vain for the continuation of the presentation, and as this
+did not ensue, he undertook it, in order to atone for the Captain's
+supposed impoliteness.
+
+"You have forgotten the most important part, Signor," said he, turning
+the affair quickly into a joke. "Signora Erlau would hardly be grateful
+to you were you not to mention the very two names which, doubtless,
+interest her most, and which are certainly not unknown to her. Signora
+Biancona--Signor Rinaldo."
+
+Beatrice, still enraged at the insult offered to her, only vouchsafed a
+slight inclination of her head, which was similarly returned; but
+suddenly she became observant. She felt how Reinhold's arm quivered,
+how he let hers fall, and moved a step away from her as he bowed. She
+knew him too well not to perceive that at this moment, notwithstanding
+his apparent calm, he was terribly agitated. This intense pallor, this
+nervous quivering of his lips, were the sure sign that he was forcibly
+suppressing some passionate emotion. And what meant this glance, which
+certainly only met that of the stranger for a few seconds, but it
+flashed with unmistakable defiance, and melted again into perfect
+tenderness when it fell on the child at her side. She herself, indeed,
+stood quite impassive opposite him; not a feature moved in the
+countenance cold as marble. But this face was also remarkably pale, and
+her arms encircled her boy with convulsive firmness, as if he were to
+be torn away from them. Yet she replied in a perfectly controlled
+voice--
+
+"I am much obliged to you, Signor. I had indeed not yet the pleasure of
+knowing Italy's principal singer and Italy's celebrated composer."
+
+Reinhold's blood surged through his veins, as again, and this time
+before strangers, the endless breach was shown him which separated him
+from his former wife. Now it was she who assigned him the place which
+he had to occupy towards her; and that she could do it with such calm
+and ease roused him to the uttermost.
+
+"Italy's?" replied he, with sharp accentuation. "You forget, Signora,
+that by birth I am a German."
+
+"Really," replied Ella, in the same tone as before. "Indeed I did not
+know that until now."
+
+"One seems to be soon forgotten in one's home," said Reinhold, with
+savage bitterness.
+
+"But surely only when people estrange themselves. In this case it is
+quite comprehensible. You, Signor, have found a second fatherland, and
+he to whom Italy has given so much can easily forego home and its
+recollections."
+
+She turned to the other gentlemen, exchanged a few passing indifferent
+words with them, and then gave her hand quietly and openly to Hugo in
+farewell.
+
+"You will excuse me, I must go to my uncle. Reinhold bid Captain
+Almbach adieu."
+
+It was only too true. Ella possessed a terrible weapon in the child,
+and understood how to use it mercilessly. Reinhold experienced it at
+this moment. To him she relentlessly denied the sight and presence of
+his boy, although she knew with what passion he longed for him; and now
+she let him see how this boy stretched out his little arms to his
+uncle, and offered his mouth for a kiss; let him see it in the presence
+of the woman for whom he had forsaken them both, and whose presence
+forbade him to insist upon any of his rights as a father--the revenge
+penetrated to the innermost depths of his heart.
+
+Beatrice, quite contrary to her usual custom, had not taken part, even
+by a single syllable, in the conversation; but her darkly burning
+glance did not move from either of the two, between whom she suspected
+some secret connection, although her thoughts were immeasurably far
+from the truth itself. For the present, however, Ella now put an end to
+any further conversation. She took little Reinhold by the hand, and
+after a slight, haughty bow, which included the whole party, she left
+the verandah with the child.
+
+"You appear to have introduced some incognita to us, Signor Capitano,"
+said Beatrice, with cutting scorn. "Perhaps you will be so good as to
+explain to us exactly who the princess is who has just now condescended
+to leave us."
+
+"Yes, by heaven, very proud, but also very beautiful!" cried the
+Marchese, his admiration breaking forth, while Hugo replied coolly--
+
+"You are mistaken, Signora. I told you the name of the German lady."
+
+The young Italian went up to his friend and laid his hand on the
+latter's shoulder.
+
+"Signora's mistake is easily understood. Do not you think so also,
+Rinaldo?--Good God, what is the matter--what ails you?"
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER III.
+
+
+"Nothing," said Reinhold, recovering himself with a great effort. "I am
+not well; the stormy voyage has upset me. It is nothing, Cesario."
+
+"I believe the best we can do is to think of our return," interrupted
+Hugo, who deemed it necessary to distract attention from his brother,
+as he saw that the latter could no longer control his agitation. "A
+repetition of the storm need not be feared, and as the padrone has
+promised to procure us a carriage, we can reach S---- this evening if
+we start soon."
+
+It was the first time that Beatrice cordially agreed to any proposition
+made by Captain Almbach. Marchese Tortoni, on the contrary, considered
+any great haste very unnecessary, and raised several objections. All at
+once the lonely _locanda_ seemed to have gained remarkable attractions
+for him. But as he could not succeed in his wishes--for Reinhold also
+insisted upon an immediate return--he joined Captain Almbach, who went
+to see about the carriage.
+
+"I fear you made up some tale for your brother and me, when you
+declared that a certain villa was inaccessible," said he, teasingly.
+"It was suspicious at the time when you confessed your failure so
+openly, and let our jokes fall so quietly upon you. I could swear that
+I had seen this charming figure and those glorious fair plaits once
+before, when I rode past the villa. I understand, of course, that you
+would not make us the confidants of your adventure, still----"
+
+"You are mistaken," interrupted Hugo, with a decision which made it
+impossible to doubt his words. "There is no talk of an adventure here,
+Signor Marchese. I give you my word upon it."
+
+"Ah, then pardon me," said Cesario, seriously; "I believe your
+apparently intimate acquaintance with the lady----"
+
+"Arises from a former acquaintance in Germany," completed Captain
+Almbach. "I certainly had no suspicion of this meeting, when I believed
+I was seeking a perfect stranger in the Villa Fiorina; but I repeat it,
+that the word 'adventure' must not be connected in the remotest degree
+with that lady, and that I claim the most perfect and unqualified
+respect for her from all."
+
+The very positive tone of this explanation might, perhaps, have
+irritated another listener, but the young Marchese, on the contrary,
+seemed to find unmistakable satisfaction in it.
+
+"I do not in the least doubt that you are quite justified in your
+demand," replied he, very warmly. "The whole bearing of the beautiful
+lady answers for it. What imposing dignity, and what a perfectly
+charming appearance! I never saw any woman unite the two so
+thoroughly."
+
+"Really?" Hugo's voice betrayed by no means pleasant surprise, as he
+looked at his companion, whose cheeks were deeply suffused with colour,
+and whose eyes sparkled. Captain Almbach did not utter another word,
+but his countenance told plainly enough what he thought. "I believe
+this ideal-man also begins to care about other things besides airs and
+recitatives--however, it is quite unnecessary."
+
+Beatrice stood alone up in the verandah. She had not followed Reinhold
+and Lord Elton, who also descended. Her hand buried itself
+unconsciously in the wet vine-leaves, while her dark eyes were fixed
+steadily on the sea. Lost in gloomy meditation, she only clung to the
+one thought, which her lips now uttered, as half threateningly, half
+frightened, she whispered----"What was it between them?"
+
+Autumn had come, and brought strangers and inhabitants back from the
+seaside and mountains to the large ever stirring and bustling central
+point of Italy. It was indeed not such an autumn as leads nature to its
+grave in the North, with gloomy, rainy days, raw stormy nights, rolling
+mists, hoar and night frosts. Here it lay mildly in golden clearness
+and indescribable beauty over the wide plains, from which at last the
+summer's heat had subsided; over the mountains, which, at other times
+were day after day enveloped in hot vapour, encircled with white
+clouds, now again showed their blue outlines undisguised; and over the
+town, where the great wave of life which for several moons had rolled
+slowly, now flowed forth with renewed power.
+
+Signora Biancona had also returned. Her stay in S---- had been as
+unexpectedly and quickly terminated as was Reinhold's in Mirando. He
+seemed as if, all at once, he could not endure his usually favourite
+place any longer. Almost immediately after their stormy sea excursion,
+he insisted positively that the original plan should be adhered to, and
+the _villegiatura_ in the mountains, long since decided upon, be
+carried out. The Marchese's objections, even his openly-displayed
+annoyance--having counted upon a lengthy visit from his guests--were in
+vain, as Beatrice also agreed somewhat eagerly to Reinhold's plan, and
+thus Cesario remained alone in Mirando, while the others went to the
+mountains, from which they had now just returned.
+
+It was during the forenoon. Signora Biancona was sitting in her
+boudoir, her head resting on her arm, and her hand buried in her dark
+hair, in an attitude of eager attention. The conductor, Gianelli, had
+taken up his position opposite to her. Whatever his real feelings
+towards the envied Rinaldo might be, he was much too clever not to show
+outwardly all necessary respect and consideration to him, who, in the
+world of art, as in society, was all-powerful; and towards the
+beautiful _prima donna_ he was now all attention and devotion, which he
+showed in voice and manner, as, continuing the conversation already
+begun, he said--
+
+"You had commanded, Signora, and that was sufficient for me at once to
+set all machinery in motion. I am fortunate in being able to fulfil
+your wish, and impart the fullest information upon a certain subject."
+
+Beatrice lifted up her head with liveliest eagerness. "Well?"
+
+"This Signor Erlau is, as you supposed, a merchant from H----. He must,
+indeed, belong to the richest of his class, as everywhere he appears
+like a millionaire. He has rented the entire Villa Fiorina, near S----,
+for himself and his family, and here, also, he inhabits one of the most
+expensive houses. His household is arranged in great style; part of the
+servants brought from Germany. He bears important introductions to his
+embassy, of which, however, he has not made any use as yet, because his
+state of health necessitates retirement. His move here, in fact, was
+only made in order to put himself under the treatment of one of our
+most celebrated doctors----"
+
+"I know all that already," interrupted Beatrice, impatiently. "When I
+heard the name, I did not doubt that it was the same Consul at whose
+house I visited during my stay in H----. But the lady who accompanies
+them--the young Signora?"
+
+"Is his niece," explained Gianelli, who made an intentional pause after
+the first words.
+
+The singer appeared to consider. "She certainly was presented to me as
+Signora Erlau. A relation, therefore. I did not see her in those days.
+I surely should have remarked her; one does not so easily over look
+such a figure."
+
+The maestro smiled with a malicious expression. "She is _said_ to bear
+the same name, certainly, as her adopted father; she is _said_ to be a
+widow--_said_ to have lost her husband many years since. At least, they
+wish such to be believed in Italy, and the servants have strict orders
+to answer all enquiries in this manner."
+
+Beatrice listened attentively to this explanation with its double
+meaning, "'_Said_ to be;' but is it not so? I suspected that some
+secret lay hidden there. You have discovered it?"
+
+"Servants are never silent, if one understands to apply in the right
+manner," remarked Gianelli, scornfully. "I only fear it is an extremely
+delicate point, and as it concerns Signor Rinaldo----"
+
+"Rinaldo!" exclaimed Beatrice, "how so? What has Rinaldo to do with it?
+Did you not say that it concerns Rinaldo?"
+
+The maestro bent his head, and said in his softest tone, "I was then,
+indeed mistaken, Signora, when I premised that the cause of your wish
+to learn more particulars about the Erlau family originated with Signor
+Rinaldo."
+
+The singer bit her lips. She certainly might have foreseen that the
+motive which dictated the commission she had given him could not escape
+the observing eyes of a Gianelli.
+
+"Let us leave Rinaldo out of the question!" said she, with an effort to
+appear calm. "You were about to speak of Signora Erlau."
+
+"It would be somewhat difficult to separate one from the other,"
+suggested Gianelli. "I only fear Signor Rinaldo is unfortunately not
+favourably disposed towards me already, certainly from no fault of
+mine. I fear I might arouse his extreme ill-will if he discovered it
+was I who made such a communication, and especially to you"--he paused,
+and drew figures on the floor with his walking stick, in well-feigned
+confusion.
+
+"To me, especially!" repeated Beatrice, violently, "then this
+communication is not intended for me? You must speak, Signor Gianelli!
+You shall not withhold one word, not one syllable either! I require, I
+demand it of you."
+
+"Well then----" he seemed really about to come to the explanation, but
+the game was too interesting to give it up so soon, and the maestro
+himself had too often suffered from the temper of the beautiful _prima
+donna_ to be able to deny himself the satisfaction of keeping her still
+longer on the rack of eagerness.
+
+"Well then, you surely are aware of Signor Rinaldo's former bonds; but
+in, Italy few or none know that he was already married. I myself was
+only informed of it on this occasion. You, of course, were acquainted
+with the fact."
+
+"I know it," replied Beatrice, suppressedly, "but how does that concern
+this?"
+
+"Indeed it does to some extent. You do not know Rinaldo's wife,
+Signora?"
+
+"No. Though yes; I saw her once momentarily. A very insignificant
+person."
+
+"They do not seem to think so, here," remarked Gianelli, again in the
+same soft tone. "Notwithstanding her seclusion, the beautiful fair
+German begins to create a sensation."
+
+"Who?" Beatrice rose so suddenly and wildly, that the maestro thought
+it wiser to retire a few steps. "Of whom are you speaking?"
+
+"Of Signora Eleonore Almbach, who certainly bears her adopted father's
+name here, probably to avoid inquisitive inquiries."
+
+"That is impossible," exclaimed the singer, now with extreme violence.
+"That cannot be. You deceive me, or have been yourself deceived."
+
+"Excuse me," said Gianelli, defending himself, "my source is the most
+authentic. I will answer for its correctness, and Signor Rinaldo will
+be obliged to confirm it."
+
+"Impossible!" repeated Beatrice, still quite without her
+self-possession. "_This_ apparition his wife! I saw her formerly, of
+course, although only for a few minutes. Was I then blind?"
+
+"Or was he so?" completed Gianelli to himself; but he said aloud, "I am
+inconsolable to have excited you so, Signora; you will give me credit
+for not wishing to speak, but you regularly forced this information
+from me. I regret this exceedingly."
+
+His words restored Beatrice somewhat to consciousness. She felt what
+she had to expect from the pity of the man who had played the spy on
+her behalf.
+
+"Certainly not!" replied she in a hasty but vain attempt to recover her
+self-control. "I--I thank you, Signor. I am merely surprised, nothing
+more."
+
+The maestro saw that he could not do better than retire, but as he
+prepared to leave, he laid his hand assuringly upon his heart--
+
+"You know, Signora, that I am quite at your commands, and if you deem
+it necessary to insist upon my unconditional silence in this affair, no
+assurance is needed that this also is at your service. Quite at your
+commands."
+
+He left the room with a low bow; he was in earnest with the last words.
+Gianelli was too good a reckoner not to consider as a valuable secret,
+something which sooner or later might be employed against the hated
+Rinaldo. If he were to make the piquant story public in society,
+nothing more could be done with it; in his sole possession, on the
+contrary, it might be very useful. At present it ensured him influence
+over Beatrice, and, indirectly, even over Rinaldo, to whom it could, at
+the very least, not be agreeable that his family affairs should become
+generally known.
+
+In the best of humours the maestro passed through the saloon, and
+entered the antechamber, where at that moment the sailor Jonas was
+alone. Captain Almbach had sent him to his brother with some message;
+he supposed the latter to be with Signora Biancona. Reinhold, however,
+was at the manager's, but was expected every moment. Jonas learned this
+from some servant who had gone into Beatrice's service from that of the
+same manager who had taken the Italian Opera Company to Germany, and as
+a trophy of his northern journey was able to maltreat a few words of
+German. As the sailor had received orders to give his master's note to
+the latter's brother himself, nothing else remained for him than to
+wait; he therefore took up his position in the ante-room, through which
+Reinhold was sure to pass. He had certainly remarked that the door of
+one of the back rooms stood open, and that some one was in there,
+apparently one of the Signora's lady's maids, who was occupied with a
+dress of her mistress. However, as this somebody was a woman, she
+naturally did not exist for Jonas, who, dissatisfied and silent as
+usual, withdrew into one of the window recesses, and remained there
+above a quarter of an hour without taking the slightest notice of his
+neighbour.
+
+Signor Gianelli, as regards women, seemed to entertain the most
+opposite views; he had barely discovered the open door and the young
+girl, before he immediately altered his course, and steered in that
+direction. Jonas naturally did not understand any of the conversation,
+conducted in Italian, which now took place between the two, but so much
+was clear to him, that the maestro endeavoured to play the agreeable,
+apparently without particular success, as he only received short, and
+rather defiant-sounding replies, and at the same time the heavy silken
+folds were so adroitly draped that he could not come nearer without
+crumpling the light satin. This lasted a few minutes, then Signor
+Gianelli appeared to try and make some serious attempt, as a cry of
+annoyance was heard, followed by the angry stamping of a little foot.
+The dress flew aside, and the young girl fled into the ante-room, where
+she stood still with arms folded defiantly and eyes sparkling with
+rage. But the maestro had followed her, and without being intimidated
+in the least by the opposition, gave signs of trying to enforce the
+kiss which evidently had been refused him before, when he stumbled upon
+a most unexpected obstacle. A powerful hand caught him suddenly by the
+collar, and a strange voice said impressively--
+
+"That is to be left alone."
+
+At the first moment the Italian appeared staggered at this interruption
+from a stranger whom he had not perceived at all; but on looking more
+closely at the latter, and discovering that he had only a common sailor
+to deal with, he drew himself up with great self-importance and evinced
+great annoyance. He immediately reversed the order of affairs, and
+pretended to be the one insulted. How could any one dare to attack a
+man in his position, especially in Signora Biancona's apartments; he
+should lay a complaint to the Signora; what sort of a person was it who
+took such a liberty? and thereupon a flood of not exactly flattering
+names swept over poor Jonas.
+
+The latter endured the insults heaped upon him with immovable
+placidity, as he did not understand even one word of them; but when the
+Italian, deceived by this quiescence, took it into his head to make a
+threatening gesticulation with his stick, there was an end of the
+sailor's calm, as he understood this pantomime very well. With a sudden
+movement he had caught the stick from the maestro, the next moment had
+seized him and regularly thrust him out of the room, thrown his stick
+after him, and locked the door, all without speaking a single word, and
+returned quietly to his window recess as if nothing had happened. But
+here the young girl came at once towards him, stretching out both hands
+to him, with southern vivacity and overflowing with gratitude.
+
+"It is not necessary! Was done willingly," said Jonas, dryly, but as he
+put out his arm as if to refuse her thanks, a little hand was placed
+upon it, and a clear voice said something in the softest tones, which
+was undoubtedly intended to express her acknowledgments.
+
+Jonas looked most indignantly, first at his arm, then at the hand,
+which still lay upon it, and after having gazed at both for some time,
+he condescended at last to cast a glance also at the person to whom the
+hand belonged.
+
+Before him stood a young girl of at most sixteen years, so lythe, so
+intensely slight and graceful a figure, that she presented the greatest
+contrast imaginable to the broad form of the sailor. A wreath of
+splendid blue-black plaits surrounded the little face, which, with its
+dark brown complexion and burning black eyes, certainly sprang from the
+South of Italy. The little one was pretty, without doubt very pretty,
+that could not be denied, and the liveliness with which she endeavoured
+to show her protector how very grateful she was rendered her still more
+charming.
+
+"Yes, if I only understood the cursed language!" muttered Jonas, in
+whom, for the first time, something like regret arose that he had
+thrown away, with such obstinate determination, the rare opportunity
+offered him during the summer of learning Italian. He shook his head,
+shrugged his shoulders, and in this way made pantomimic signs that he
+did not understand Italian, which the young girl seemed to think quite
+unheard of and also very disagreeable.
+
+"I was to find Mr. Reinhold," growled Jonas, who, strange to say,
+seemed to long to impart some information, which was not usually his
+case with women. He made the discovery, however, that even this name
+was not understood, as now it became his companion's turn to shake her
+head and shrug her shoulders.
+
+"Yes, indeed," said the sailor angrily, "he could not even retain his
+honest German name! Rinaldo he lets himself be called here--God have
+pity on him! Robbers and rogues are called by such names with us at
+home. Signor Rinaldo," exclaimed he, as he drew out his master's note,
+which bore the same name. This address was of course well enough known
+in Signora Biancona's house; any farther understanding was now,
+however, unnecessary, as just at the moment when the two were bending
+their heads eagerly over the letter, the door of the ante-room was
+opened and Reinhold himself entered.
+
+The young girl remarked him first. In one moment she was away from the
+sailor's side and in the middle of the room, where she made a graceful
+curtsy and then disappeared in the direction of the saloon, probably to
+announce the long-expected one to her mistress; while Jonas, who could
+not conceive how any person could fly away thus lightly and rapidly,
+and disappear tracelessly in a few seconds, stared after her so
+steadily that Reinhold was obliged to go up to him and ask what brought
+him there. Ashamed, and somewhat confused, he delivered his errand and
+gave up the note, which Almbach opened and read rapidly. The contents
+seemed to be very indifferent to him--
+
+"Tell my brother I am engaged already for to-day, and therefore beg him
+to accept the Marchese's invitation merely for himself. If possible at
+all, I shall appear towards evening."
+
+He put the note in his pocket, dismissed the messenger by a gesture,
+and passed into the saloon. Jonas now had his orders and ought to have
+returned home; instead, however, he sought the servant who had given
+him the required information before, and the latter made the discovery
+that the inaccessible sailor, so chary of words, had all at once
+become very inquisitive, as he enquired very particularly about
+Signora Biancona's household and its _personnel_, and tolerated the
+Italian's horrible German--who was so proud of his knowledge of the
+language--with exemplary patience.
+
+Reinhold, meanwhile, had entered the boudoir. He no longer required any
+announcement to its mistress, and she came towards him at once; but had
+he not been so entirely absorbed in other thoughts he must have seen at
+the first glance that something had happened to her. The Italian's dark
+warm colouring could appear pale at times; this was evident now, when
+the glowing blood which usually throbbed in her cheeks had disappeared
+to the very last drop; but it was an unnatural pallor, and her eyes
+burned all the more scorchingly. Beatrice was actress enough to be
+able, for a few moments at least, to control her temper when it was
+required to gain some object, and she wished to obtain one to-day. A
+trait of dark determination lay in her face; she wished to see clearly
+at any price.
+
+"I met Gianelli below in the street," began Reinhold, after the first
+greeting. "He appeared to come from your house; was he with you?"
+
+"Certainly! I know you are prejudiced against him, but I cannot
+possibly decline to see the conductor of the opera, when he comes on
+purpose to discuss something as to its performance with me."
+
+Reinhold shrugged his shoulders. "That could be done at the rehearsals.
+Are you a young beginner, who requires protection, and must fear
+offending any one? I should have thought that you, in your position,
+could behave with as little consideration as I do. However, I will give
+you no directions about it. Receive whom you will, even Gianelli! I am
+far from wishing to place any control upon you."
+
+The tone sounded icy, and Beatrice's voice trembled slightly as she
+replied, "That is new to me. You used to watch over my visitors most
+despotically; formerly no one could cross my threshold who was not
+agreeable to you."
+
+Reinhold had thrown himself into a seat. "You see I have become more
+tolerant."
+
+"More tolerant!--more indifferent."
+
+"You have often enough complained of my despotism," remarked he, with a
+slight tinge of sarcasm.
+
+"And yet I bore it because I knew it sprang from love. It is only
+natural that with the one the other should also cease."
+
+Reinhold made an impatient movement. "Beatrice you demand what is
+impossible, when you require that a human heart should ever and for
+ever glow with those volcanic feelings which alone you call love."
+
+She had approached his seat, and placed her hand on its back, while she
+looked down at him with a strange expression.
+
+"I see certainly that it is impossible to require from the cold heart
+of a Northerner such love as I give and demand."
+
+"You should have left him in his north," said Reinhold, gloomily;
+"perhaps the cold there would have been better for him than the
+everlasting glow of the south."
+
+"Is that intended for a reproach? Was it I who tore you from your
+home?"
+
+"No! I went voluntarily, but--be just, Beatrice!--you were the moving
+power. Who urged me constantly to the resolution? Who held my artist's
+course again and again before my eyes? Who dubbed me a coward as I
+started back at the responsibility, and at last placed the fatal choice
+before me of flight or our separation? Excuse me--you knew how the
+decision must fall."
+
+The Italian's dark eyes flashed threateningly, but she forced herself
+to be calm.
+
+"Our love depended on it," declared she, proudly; "our love depended on
+it, and your artist's career. I rescued a genius for the world when I
+rescued you for myself."
+
+He was silent. The defence appeared to find no echo in his heart. She
+bent lower to him, and her voice sounded sweet and fascinating again,
+but the unnatural expression did not leave her features.
+
+"You are dreaming, Rinaldo. This is one of your moods again, which I
+have so often had to fight against. Is it the first time then, that an
+unhappy, unsuitable marriage has been dissolved in order to form a
+happier union?"
+
+Reinhold leaned his head on his hand. "No, certainly not; but that does
+not affect this case; my marriage has not been dissolved, and we--have
+never thought of marriage."
+
+Beatrice started, and her hand slid from the back of the chair.
+
+"You were not free?" she murmured.
+
+"It would only have cost me one word to be so. I knew I should not be
+prevented, and means enough were open to you to obtain dispensation,
+which would have permitted a Catholic to make this marriage. But we
+both dreaded the indissoluble bond; we wished to be free and
+unfettered, without limits in our love as in our life--well, we are so
+still at this moment."
+
+"What do you mean by this?" Beatrice pressed her hand upon her heart as
+if breathless. "Do you still consider your marriage to exist?"
+
+"Oh, no, certainly not; and if I did, the daring of such an idea would
+soon be made plain to me. You do not know what an offended wife and
+mother is in the pride of her virtue. If the sinner were to devote his
+whole remaining life to penance and repentance, he would still not be
+restored to favour."
+
+The words were intended to sound scoffingly; he did not suspect the
+boundless bitterness they betrayed as he hurled them forth; but
+Beatrice understood it only too well, and with this recognition, her
+self-control, so far preserved with such difficulty, broke down
+irretrievably.
+
+"You have, perhaps, tried it already with the offended wife," cried she
+furiously. "She is in your neighbourhood; I myself was witness of your
+meeting. That is why your eyes encountered each other in so mysterious
+a manner; that is why you could not tear your gaze away from the child;
+that is why she drew back from me, as if from something unholy. Have
+you attempted the penitent scene already, Rinaldo?"
+
+Reinhold had sprung up; anger and astonishment struggled in his
+countenance. "So you know already who Signora Erlau is? But why do I
+ask! The spy, this Gianelli, has just left you; he has traced it out
+and communicated it to you."
+
+A dark look passed over the singer's features for a moment, as she
+remembered the distinct commission she had given to the spy, but in her
+inward excitement shame found no place.
+
+"You knew it in Mirando," continued she violently, "and she occupies
+the Villa Fiorina close by. Will you try to make me believe you had not
+seen each other before, not spoken?"
+
+"I do not wish to try and make you believe anything," said Reinhold
+coldly. "How I stand to Eleonore, our utterly estranged meeting must
+have shown you sufficiently. Calm yourself. You have nothing to dread
+from that side. What else has taken place between me and my _wife_ I
+shall not confess to _you_."
+
+A slight, but yet perceptible tone of contempt lay on the two words,
+and it seemed to be understood.
+
+"It appears you place me _below_ your wife," said Beatrice weeping.
+"Below the woman whose only merit was and is that of being the mother
+of your child; who never----"
+
+"Pray, leave that alone!" interrupted he, with decision. "You know I
+never permit you to touch upon that point, and now I shall endure it
+less than ever. If you must get up a scene for me, do it, but leave my
+wife and child out of the drama."
+
+It was as if his words had let a storm loose, so raging, so unmeasured
+did the Italian's passion now break forth, dragging every trace of
+self-control along with it.
+
+"Your wife and your child!" repeated she, beside herself. "Oh, I know
+what these words signify to me; I must experience it often enough. Have
+they not forced themselves between us from the first moment of our
+meeting until to-day? To them I owe every bitter hour, every strange
+emotion in your heart. They have lain upon you like a shadow, amidst
+the growth of your artist's renown, amidst all your conquests and
+triumphs; as if they had cursed you there in the north, with the
+recollection of them, you could not tear your self away from them; and
+yet there was a time when they were the oppressive fetters which
+separated you from life and future--which you must break at last!"
+
+"To exchange them for others," completed Reinhold, whose violence now
+burst forth, "and the question is, are these others lighter? There, it
+was only the outward circumstances which confined me; my thoughts,
+feelings and actions were at all events free. You would fain see these,
+also like myself, without a will, at your feet, and that you could not
+attain this, or at least not always, I have had to atone for by hours
+of endless excitement and bitterness. Your love would have made any
+other man into your slave. Me it forced to stand in constant opposition
+to your love of ruling, which tried to take possession of every
+innermost thought and feeling. But I should have thought, Beatrice,
+that you had hitherto found in me your master, who knew how to preserve
+his own independence, and would not allow his whole being and nature to
+be clasped in chains."
+
+The storm had now been called up. Henceforth there was no restraint, no
+more moderation; at least not for Beatrice, whose passion foamed out
+ever wilder.
+
+"I must hear that, too, from the lips of the man who so often called me
+his muse? Have you forgotten who it was who first awoke you to the
+knowledge of your talents and of yourself; who alone led you up to the
+sun's height of fame? Without me, the admired Rinaldo would have
+succumbed under the fetters which he did not dare to break."
+
+She did not realise how deeply her reproach must wound his pride as a
+man. Reinhold was roused, but not with that haughtiness which, until
+now, too often darkened his character; this time it was a proud,
+energetic self-consciousness with which he drew himself up.
+
+"That he _never_ would. Do you think so little of my talent, that you
+believe it could only force open its path with you, and through you? Do
+you think I should not have found my way alone, not alone have swung
+myself up to the present height? Ask my works about it! They will give
+you the reply. I should have gone sooner or later. That I went with
+you, became my doom, as that broke every bond between me and home, and
+also drew me upon paths which the man as well as the composer had
+better have avoided. For years you kept me in the intoxication of a
+life which never offered me even one hour's real contentment or true
+happiness, because you knew that when once I awoke your power would be
+all at an end. You might postpone it, hinder it never--the awaking came
+late, too late, perhaps; but still it came at last."
+
+Beatrice leaned upon the marble chimney-piece by which she stood; her
+whole body trembled as with fever; this hour showed her indeed what she
+had long felt, without wishing to acknowledge to herself--that her
+power was in truth at an end.
+
+"And who do you think shall be the sacrifice to this 'awaking?'" said
+she in a hollow voice. "Take care, Rinaldo! You forsook your wife, and
+she bore it patiently--_I_ shall not bear it. Beatrice Biancona does
+not allow herself to be sacrificed."
+
+"No, she would rather sacrifice." Reinhold stepped before her and
+looked her firmly in the face. "You would plant the dagger--is it not
+true, Beatrice?--in yourself or me, all alike, if only your revenge
+were cooled? And if I seized the weapon from your hand, and returned
+repentant to you, you would open your arms to me again. You are right,
+Eleonore bore it more patiently; not a word, not a reproach restrained
+me, the cry of anguish was smothered in her heart. I did not hear even
+one sound of it; but at the moment in which I left her, I was the one
+rejected--my return was shut out for ever. And if I came to her now, in
+all the brilliancy of my fame and success--if I laid laurels, gold,
+honour, everything at her feet, and myself also--it would be in vain;
+she would not forgive me."
+
+He broke off, as if he had said too much already. Beatrice did not
+reply one word; not a sound came from her lips; only her eyes spoke a
+gloomy, unnatural language; but Reinhold did not understand it this
+time, or would not understand it.
+
+"You see this separation is irretrievable," said he, more quietly. "I
+repeat it, you have nothing to fear from that side. It was you, not I,
+who provoked this scene. It is not well to awaken the ghosts of the
+past--at least not between us. Let them rest."
+
+He left her and went into the adjoining room, where he busied himself
+with the music lying on the piano, or seemed to busy himself with it,
+to escape further conversation.
+
+"Let them rest!" that was said so gloomily, so quietly, and yet it
+sounded like scorn from his lips. Could he not even banish the ghosts
+of the past? And he demanded it of the woman who saw menaced by them
+what she deemed to be her highest good, her love for him, which,
+notwithstanding all that had passed between Rinaldo and herself in the
+course of years, still clung to him with all the strength of her inward
+being; whose glowing, passionate nature had in love as in hate never
+known any bounds. Whoever saw Beatrice now, as she raised herself
+slowly, and gazed after him, must have known that she would not let
+them rest, nor would she rest herself; and Reinhold should have
+considered, when he opposed her so defiantly, that he did not stand
+alone against her revenge any longer, and that in this hour he had
+betrayed, only too well, by which means she could strike a deadly blow.
+The glances of evil token which flashed there did not menace him, but
+something else which he was unable to protect, because the right to do
+so was denied him--his wife and child!
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER IV.
+
+
+"I wish, Eleonore, we had stayed in the Villa Fiorina, and not
+undertaken our migration here," said Consul Erlau, as he stood still
+before his adopted daughter, whom he had surprised in tears on his
+unlooked-for entrance into her room. "I see I have made you suffer far
+too much by it."
+
+Ella had soon effaced the traces of weeping, and now smiled with a
+calmness which might well have deceived a stranger.
+
+"Pray, uncle, do not be anxious on my account! We are here for your
+sake, and we will thank God if your recovery, which has begun so
+promisingly in the south, is completed here."
+
+"Still I wish that Dr. Conti were at any other place in the world,"
+replied the Consul, annoyed, "only not just in the town which we would
+avoid at all cost, and where I am obliged to put myself under his
+treatment. Poor child, I knew you were making a sacrifice for me in
+this journey; how great it is I only now am learning to see."
+
+"It is no sacrifice, at least no longer now," said Ella, firmly. "I
+only dreaded the possibility of a first meeting. Now this is overcome,
+and all the rest with it."
+
+Erlau examined her features enquiringly, and somewhat suspiciously.
+"Indeed! then why have you wept?"
+
+"Uncle, one cannot always control one's mood. I was cast down just
+now."
+
+"Eleonore!" The Consul seated himself beside her, and took her hand in
+his. "You know I have never been able to overcome the thought that this
+unhappy connection commenced in my house, and my only satisfaction was
+that this house could afford you a home afterwards. I hoped that now,
+when years lie between, when everything in and around you has so
+completely changed, the injury you once received would pain you no
+longer; and instead I must see that it continues to burn undiminished
+and unforgotten--that the old wounds are torn open afresh, that
+you--"
+
+"You are mistaken," interrupted Ella, hastily, "you are quite mistaken,
+I--have long made an end of the past."
+
+Erlau shook his head incredulously. "As if you would ever show that you
+suffered! I know best what reticence and self-control are hidden under
+these fair plaits. You have often displayed more of it than you could
+answer for to your second father, but his sight is keener and goes
+deeper than that of others; and I tell you, Eleonore, you cannot be
+recognised since the day when that Rinaldo, regardless of all refusals,
+at last forced an interview upon you. What exactly passed between you I
+do not know to this day; it was trouble enough even to obtain the
+confession from you that he was with you. You are utterly inaccessible
+in such matters, but deny it as you may, you have become quite another
+person since that hour."
+
+"Nothing took place at all," persisted Ella, "nothing of importance. He
+demanded to see the child, and I refused him."
+
+"And who answers for it that he will not repeat the attempt?"
+
+"Reinhold. You do not know him! I have dismissed him from my door; he
+will never pass it a second time. He understood everything, only not
+how to humble himself."
+
+"At any rate he had tact enough to leave Mirando as soon as possible,"
+said Erlau. "This vicinity would have been unbearable for any length of
+time. But his withdrawal was not of much use, as then Marchese Tortoni
+sprang up, who raved so uninterruptedly to you about his friend that I
+felt obliged at last to give him a hint that this subject did not
+receive the slightest sympathy from us."
+
+"Perhaps you did it too plainly," suggested Ella, softly. "He had no
+conception of the wounds he touched, and your harsh repulse of it must
+have seemed remarkable to him."
+
+"I do not care! Then he can obtain the commentary upon it from his
+much-admired friend. Were I to allow you to endure Signor Rinaldo's
+glorification for hours, certainly we were not much better off here.
+One cannot take up a newspaper, receive a visit, hold a conversation,
+without stumbling upon his name; every third word is Rinaldo. He seems
+to have infected the whole town with his tones and his new opera, which
+seems to be considered here as a sort of event of the world. Poor
+child! and you must be quiet under it all, must witness how this man
+regularly revels in victories and triumphs, how he has attained the
+zenith of success, and maintains it undisputed."
+
+The young wife rested her head on her hand so that the latter shaded
+her face.
+
+"Perhaps you deceive yourself after all. He may be celebrated and
+worshipped like no other--happy he is not."
+
+"I am glad of it," said the Consul, violently, "I am extremely glad of
+it. There would be no more justice or right in the world if he were.
+And that he has seen you, as you allow yourself to be seen now, does
+not conduce much to his happiness, I hope."
+
+He had risen at the last words, and walked up and down the room with
+his old vivacity. A short silence followed, which Ella at last
+interrupted--
+
+"I want to beg something of you, dear uncle. Will you grant it me?"
+
+Erlau stopped. "Gladly, my child. You know I cannot easily refuse you
+anything. What do you wish?"
+
+Ella had fixed her eyes on the ground, and did not look up while she
+spoke.
+
+"It is that Rein--that Reinhold's latest work is to be performed the
+day after to-morrow."
+
+"Yes, to be sure, and then the adoration will become unendurable,"
+growled Erlau. "You wish to escape from the first commotion about it--I
+understand that, perfectly; we will drive into the mountains for a week
+or a fortnight. Dr. Conti must give me leave of absence for so long."
+
+"On the contrary. I wanted to beg you--to go to the opera with me."
+
+The Consul looked at her with a countenance full of the most intense
+astonishment.
+
+"What, Eleonore! I cannot have heard aright? You wish to go on that day
+to the theatre, which hitherto you have so decidedly avoided as soon as
+Rinaldo's name was connected with it?"
+
+Notwithstanding the shielding hand, one could see plainly how the deep
+red which coloured her cheeks rose to her temples, as she replied
+almost inaudibly--
+
+"I never ventured to enter the opera house at home, when _his_ music
+reigned there. I always felt as if every one's eyes would be directed
+to me and seek me, even in the darkest background of our box. In your
+drawing-rooms and in those of our acquaintances I seldom or never heard
+his compositions. People avoided them whenever I was present; people
+knew what had taken place, and tried to spare me in every way. I never
+attempted to break through this fence of shielding consideration which
+you all drew around me. Perhaps I was too great a coward to do so,
+perhaps also, too much embittered. Now," she raised herself suddenly,
+with a violent motion, and her voice gained perfect firmness, "now
+I have seen Reinhold again, now I will learn to know him in his
+works--him and her."
+
+Erlau's astonishment continued; apparently this affair surprised him in
+the highest degree, but it was very evident that he was not accustomed
+to refuse his favourite anything, even if it seemed to him to be a
+point requiring consideration. For the present, however, he was
+relieved from an immediate consent, as the servant entered with the
+announcement that Dr. Conti had just driven up, and that Captain
+Almbach also was in the drawing-room.
+
+"Certainly, Herr Captain Almbach is most enviable in his want of
+diffidence," said the Consul. "Notwithstanding all that has passed
+between you and his brother, he asserts his right as a relation just
+the same as if nothing had occurred. Hugo Almbach is the only person in
+the world who could do this."
+
+"Do you not like his visits?" asked Ella.
+
+"I!" Erlau smiled. "Child, you know that he has won me as completely as
+every one else whom he chooses to win, perhaps only excepting my
+Eleonore, for whom he seems to entertain quite incredible respect."
+
+He then took his adopted daughter's arm, and led her to the
+drawing-room. The medical visit did not last long, and Hugo in about
+half-an-hour also quitted the Erlau's house, which he was wont to visit
+frequently. Whether Reinhold knew of it could not be decided, certainly
+he suspected it; but there appeared to be a tacit agreement between the
+brothers not to touch upon this subject. It was not Captain Almbach's
+way to force himself into a confidence which was determinedly and
+continuedly withheld from him, and therefore he followed Reinhold's
+example, who observed utter silence about the meeting in the _locanda_,
+and never mentioned his wife's or child's names again, since he knew
+they were in his neighbourhood. What might be really hidden beneath the
+impenetrable reticence, Hugo could not discover, but he was convinced
+that it did not arise from indifference.
+
+Captain Almbach had reached his brother's dwelling, and entered his own
+room, where he found Jonas, who seemed to be waiting for him. In the
+sailor's appearance to-day there was decidedly something unusual; his
+wonted phlegm had given way to a certain restlessness, with which he
+waited until his master had taken off hat and gloves and sat down.
+Hardly was this done, than he came forward and planted himself close
+beside the Captain's chair.
+
+"What is it then, Jonas?" asked the latter, becoming attentive. "You
+look as if you meant to make a speech."
+
+"That is what I wish to do," said Jonas, as he placed himself in an
+attitude half solemn, half confused.
+
+"Indeed? That is something new. I was always under the impression
+hitherto that you would prove a most valuable acquisition to a Trappist
+monastery. If, however, by means of all the classical recollections
+here, the spirit of oratory has come to you also, I rejoice at it.
+Begin then, I will listen."
+
+"Herr Captain Almbach"--the sailor's spirit of oratory did not seem to
+be sufficiently developed, as for the present he could not get beyond
+those three words, and instead of continuing, he gazed persistently and
+fixedly on the floor as if he wished to count the Mosaic stones.
+
+"Listen, Jonas, I am suspicious about you," said Hugo, impressively. "I
+have been suspicious about you for more than a week, you do not growl
+any more; you cast no more furious looks at the padrona and her maids;
+you sometimes lay your face in folds, such as any one with power of
+imagination might consider the first feeble attempt at a smile. I
+repeat it, these are highly serious symptoms, and I am prepared for the
+worst."
+
+Jonas seemed to discover that he must express himself somewhat more
+clearly. He made an energetic start, and actually completed half a
+sentence.
+
+"Herr Captain Almbach, there are men--"
+
+"A most indisputable fact, which I do not in the remotest degree intend
+to attack. So there are men--well, go on."
+
+"Who may like women," continued Jonas.
+
+"And others who may not like them," added the Captain, as a second
+pause ensued; "an equally undeniable fact, of which Herr Captain Hugo
+Almbach's seaman, William Jonas, of the 'Ellida,' is offered as an
+example."
+
+"I did not wish to say that exactly," responded the sailor, whom this
+arbitrary continuation of his evidently studied speech quite
+disconcerted. "I only meant to say that there are men who appear to be,
+no one knows how unkind towards women, and yet at heart are not so at
+all, because they think nothing about them."
+
+"I believe that is a very flattering illustration of my character,"
+remarked Hugo. "But now tell me, for Heaven's sake, what do you purpose
+with all these prologues?"
+
+Jonas drew several long breaths; the next words appeared to be too hard
+for him. At last he said, stammeringly--
+
+"Herr Captain Almbach, I know, of course, best what you really
+are--and--and--I know a young woman."
+
+A smile, which he suppressed with difficulty, quivered about Captain
+Almbach's lips, but he compelled himself to remain serious.
+
+"Really!" said he, coolly, "that is, indeed, a remarkable event for
+you."
+
+"And I will bring her to you," continued Jonas.
+
+Now Captain Almbach began to laugh aloud. "Jonas, I believe you are not
+sane. What in the world am I to do with this young woman. Shall I marry
+her?"
+
+"You shall do nothing with her," explained the sailor, with an injured
+countenance. "You are only to look at her."
+
+"A very modest pleasure," scoffed Hugo. "Who then is the lady
+concerned, and what necessity requires me to look at her?"
+
+"It is the little Annunziata, Signora Biancona's lady's maid," replied
+Jonas, who now became more fluent of speech. "A poor, quiet young
+thing, without father or mother. She has only been a couple of months
+with the Signora, and at first all went well with her; but there is a
+man," the sailor clenched his fist with intense rage, "called Gianelli,
+and he is the conductor; he follows the poor thing at every step, and
+never leaves her in peace. She has repulsed him once very roughly, and
+on that account he maligned her to the Signora, and since then the
+Signora is so unkind and violent to her, that she can stand it no
+longer. In _that_ house, indeed, she does not see much good, and
+therefore she shall leave, and must leave, and I shall not allow her to
+remain any longer."
+
+"You appear to be very fully informed about that little Annunziata,"
+remarked Hugo, dryly. "She is an Italian; have you learned all these
+details by pantomimic means?"
+
+"The Signora's servant helped us now and then, when we could not get
+on," confessed Jonas, quite openly. "But he speaks horrible German, and
+I do not like him putting his finger into everything. Without reference
+to this, though, she shall get away from the whole crew; she must
+absolutely go into a German house."
+
+"On account of the morals," added Hugo.
+
+"Yes, and besides on account of learning German. She cannot speak a
+single word of it, and it is really sad when people cannot understand
+one another. So I thought--you often go to Herr Consul Erlau, Herr
+Captain Almbach--perhaps young Frau Erlau may want a maid, and in such
+a rich household it cannot matter one person more or less, if you were
+to put in a good word for Annunziata." He stopped and looked
+beseechingly at his master.
+
+"I will speak to the lady," said Captain Almbach, "and at all events it
+will be better for you only to introduce your _protegee_ after I have
+had a decided answer; I will also look at her then. But one thing more,
+Jonas"--he put on a grave expression--"I presume that nothing
+influences you in the whole matter, excepting pity for the poor
+persecuted child?"
+
+"Only pure pity, Herr Captain," assured the sailor, with such honest
+frankness that Hugo was obliged to bite his lips, so as not to give way
+to renewed laughter.
+
+"I really believe he is capable of imagining that," murmured he, and
+then added aloud, "I am glad to hear it. I was convinced of it from the
+first; as you know, Jonas, _we_ shall never marry!"
+
+"No, Herr Captain," answered the sailor; but the answer sounded
+somewhat wanting in heartiness.
+
+"Because we think nothing of women," said Hugo, with immovable
+seriousness. "Beyond pity and gratitude, the story never goes; then we
+sail away, and regret remains with them."
+
+This time the sailor made no reply, but he looked at his master as if
+much taken aback.
+
+"And it is indeed most fortunate that it is so," ended Captain Almbach,
+with great emphasis. "Women on our 'Ellida!' Heaven preserve us from
+them!"
+
+With which he left Jonas and went out of the room. The latter looked
+after him with an expression in which it was difficult to decide
+whether it consisted more of annoyance or sadness; finally, however,
+the latter sentiment seemed to prevail, as he let his head droop, and
+uttered a sigh, saying, in an undertone--
+
+"Yes, certainly, she is a woman also--more's the pity!"
+
+Hugo had gone across into his brother's study, where he found him
+alone. The piano stood open, but Reinhold himself lay extended on
+the couch, his head thrown back on the cushions. The face, with its
+half-closed eyes and high forehead, with its dark hair falling over it,
+looked alarmingly pale. It was an attitude, not of repose, but of the
+most supreme fatigue and exhaustion, and he barely changed it at his
+brother's entrance.
+
+"Reinhold, really this is too bad of you," said the latter, coming up
+to him. "Half the town is in commotion with your opera; in the theatre
+everything is in a whirl; people openly fight for tickets. His
+Excellency the Director does not know where his head is, and Donna
+Beatrice is in a regular state of nervous excitement. And you, the real
+promoter of all this disturbance, dream away here in _dolce far
+niente_, as if there were no public nor operas in the world."
+
+Reinhold turned his head towards the new comer with a feeble,
+indifferent movement; his face showed that his dreams had been anything
+but sweet.
+
+"You were at the rehearsal?" asked he. "Did you see Cesario?"
+
+"The Marchese? Certainly, although he was no more at the rehearsal than
+I was. This time he preferred to give a performance himself in the
+higher equestrian art; I have just paid a high tribute of admiration to
+his bravery."
+
+"Cesario? How so?"
+
+"Well, he rode no less than three times up and down the same street,
+and regularly under a certain balcony; let his horse curvet so
+senselessly that one dreaded an accident every moment. He will break
+his own and his beautiful animal's neck too, if he should try that
+often. Unfortunately this time mine was the only, probably not much
+wished for, physiognomy which he saw at the window."
+
+The evidently irritable tone of these words caught Reinhold's
+attention--he half raised himself up.
+
+"At which window?"
+
+Hugo bit his lips; in his anger he had quite forgotten to whom he
+spoke. His brother remarked his hesitation.
+
+"Do you mean the Erlau's house?" asked he, quickly. "It seems to me you
+often visit it."
+
+"Sometimes, at least," was Captain Almbach's quick response. "You know
+I have always enjoyed the privilege of neutrality there; even when the
+battle was raging most fiercely in my uncle's house, I have asserted
+this old privilege there, and it is tacitly recognised by both
+parties."
+
+Reinhold had raised himself entirely, but the eagerness had quite
+disappeared from his features; in its place was a dark expression of
+enquiry, as he said--
+
+"Then Cesario has also the _entree_ of the Erlau's house? Of course you
+introduced him there."
+
+"Yes, I was so--stupid," said Captain Almbach, speaking angrily,
+"and I seem to have caused something very charming by it. We had hardly
+left Mirando when Don Cesario--who cannot resolve to sacrifice his
+freedom---who rides past the only lady in the neighbourhood without
+looking at her even--loses no time on the strength of that introduction
+in making himself agreeable at the Villa Fiorina; and this was done,
+the Herr Consul tells me, in so pleasant and modest a manner that it
+was impossible to repulse him; the more so, as our departure from
+Mirando removed the only cause of their seclusion. Then he was
+fortunate enough to discover Herr Doctor Conti, who was making his
+_villegiatura_ somewhere in the vicinity, and bring him to the Herr
+Consul. The doctor's treatment produced results beyond all expectation,
+and Don Cesario is almost looked upon in the family as the saviour
+of life, which he knows how to make use of. Trust one of those
+women-haters! They are the worst of all; Jonas has just given me a
+speaking example of it. He has started a wonderful theory of pity, in
+which he believes firmly as in the Gospel; but all the same, it has
+caught him hopelessly, and the aristocratic Marchese Tortoni is on the
+same path."
+
+It could not have escaped any calm observer, that under the Captain's
+mocking speech, which was usually only dictated by mischief, a
+bitterness lay concealed which, with all his scoffing, he could not
+quite control; but Reinhold was far from calm. He had listened as if he
+would read every word from off his brother's lips, and at the last
+remark he started up wildly.
+
+"On what path? What do you mean by it?"
+
+Hugo stepped back as if struck, "My God, Reinhold, how can you fly out
+like that? I only meant--"
+
+"It concerns Ella, does it not?" interrupted Reinhold, with the same
+violence. "To whom else can these attentions be paid?"
+
+"Certainly, to Ella," said Captain Almbach. It was the first time for
+months that this name had been mentioned between them. "And just for
+this reason, it can and must be indifferent to you."
+
+Simple as the remark was, it seemed to hit Reinhold unexpectedly hard.
+He strode up and down the room once or twice, and at last stopped
+before his brother.
+
+"Cesario has no idea of the truth," said he, in a suppressed voice;
+"he made some enthusiastic remarks to me at the beginning. I may have
+betrayed to him, involuntarily, how much they pained me, as since then
+he has not touched the topic again."
+
+"Erlau appears to have given him a similar hint," added Hugo. "He tried
+to find out something about it from me--if any and what connection
+existed between you and that family. I naturally avoided it, but he
+seems to suspect some former enmity between you and Erlau."
+
+Reinhold looked down gloomily. "This connection will indeed not long
+remain a secret. Beatrice knows it already, and, as I fear, from a very
+unsafe source, whence no silence can be expected. Cesario must learn it
+sooner or later, after what you have just disclosed to me. He is
+romantic enough to take anything of the sort seriously, and give
+himself up, with his whole soul, to a hopeless passion."
+
+Captain Almbach leaned with folded arms against the piano, a slight
+pallor lay upon his face, and his voice trembled faintly, as he
+answered--
+
+"Who tells you that it is hopeless?"
+
+"Hugo, that is an insult," stormed Reinhold. "Do you forget that
+Eleonore is my wife?"
+
+"She was," said Captain Almbach, emphasising the word strongly. "You
+surely think now as little of asserting such rights as she would be
+inclined to admit them."
+
+Reinhold was silent. He knew best with what determination even the
+slightest appearance of any right was denied him.
+
+"You have both been satisfied with mere separation," continued Hugo,
+"without requiring judicial divorce. You did not need it, and what
+restrains Ella from it I understand only too well. In such a case final
+decisions as to the possession of the boy must be made. She knew that
+you would never quite sacrifice your paternal rights, and trembled at
+the thought of giving you the boy even for a time. Your tacit
+resignation of him was sufficient for her; she preferred to give up all
+satisfaction, in order to remain in undisturbed possession of her
+child."
+
+Reinhold stood there as if struck by lightning. The glow of agitation
+which had so lately coloured his brow disappeared; he had become deadly
+pale again, as he asked, in a suppressed voice--
+
+"And this--this you think was the sole reason?"
+
+"So far as I know Ella, the sole one which could prevent her completing
+the step which you had commenced."
+
+"And you think that Cesario has hopes?"
+
+"I do not know it," said Hugo, seriously, "but we both know that
+nothing stands in the way of Ella's freedom, if she were really
+disposed to assert it still. You forsook her, gave her up entirely for
+years, and all the world knows why it was done, and what kept you
+continuously away from her. She has not only law, but also public
+opinion on her side, and I fear the latter would compel you to leave
+the boy with her. Beatrice stands terribly in the way of your paternal
+rights."
+
+"You think that Cesario has hopes?" repeated Reinhold, but this time
+the words sounded moody and full of menace.
+
+"I believe that he loves her, loves her passionately, and that sooner
+or later he will try to woo her. He will then certainly learn that the
+imaginary widow was the wife of his friend, and still bears that
+friend's name, but I doubt if this will exercise any influence upon
+him, as not the slightest shadow falls upon Ella. Only your friendship
+may receive an irrecoverable blow; but even without this, it would be
+at an end, so soon as passion speaks; consider this, Reinhold, and do
+not let yourself be carried away to any rash act. You broke your
+bonds in order to set yourself free. Thereby you also made Eleonore
+free--perhaps for another."
+
+Captain Almbach's voice fell at the last words, and, as if to suppress
+or conceal some violent emotion, he turned quickly to depart. Although
+his brother's agitation, whom he left alone, did not escape him, he had
+not the remotest suspicion of the firebrand which his words threw into
+the other's breast.
+
+If Reinhold had shown almost nothing but fatigue and indifference
+lately to those around him, if a sensation often overcame him that for
+him there was an end of life and love, this moment proved that the same
+wild passion could still rage in his heart which had once drawn the
+young artist away from his bonds at home; and the manner in which the
+storm had been loosed, betrayed, if not to others yet to himself, that
+which hitherto he _would_ not know, and which now disclosed itself to
+him with merciless distinctness. The defiance and bitterness with which
+he had armed himself against the wife who dared to let him feel that he
+had once deeply offended her, and that she would now and never more
+pardon this offence, succumbed before the burning pain which suddenly
+blazed forth in his breast. But although his pride taught him to meet
+the coldness, indifference and irreconciliation with harshness, he
+still could not prevent it that so soon as the picture of his child
+rose before him its mother's form also stood by its side. Certainly it
+was no longer the same Ella, who a few months previously barely held a
+place in his recollection, but the woman, who on that evening, when for
+the first time he recognised what he had so frivolously given up, and
+what he had irretrievably lost, had shown him such an energetic will,
+and such a never dreamed of depth of feeling. Near the child's fair
+curly head there hovered, ever and ever, the face with those large,
+deep blue eyes, whose glance had struck him so annihilatingly. He did
+not confess to himself with what passion he clung to this picture, with
+what longing he dreamed away hours in these recollections; he did not
+even confess the thought which lay unexpressed in his soul, that the
+woman who still bore his name, who was the mother of his child,
+notwithstanding all that had happened, still belonged to him, and
+although he had forfeited the right of possession, at any rate no other
+dared approach her.
+
+And now he must hear that another already stretched forth his hand to
+the prize, and offered everything to gain it. His brother's words
+unsparingly disclosed the motive, to which alone he owed it, that Ella
+had not answered his flight with letters of divorce. Only for the
+child's sake was she still called his wife; not because one trace of
+liking for him lingered in her heart. And if she were now to take the
+step once avoided; if on her side she removed the chain, now when a
+Cesario offered her his hand, who could prevent her; who could blame
+the woman, who after the lapse of years sought at last in a purer,
+better love, recompense for the treachery her husband had exercised
+towards her? The danger did not lie in the fact that Marchese Tortoni,
+who was handsome, rich, and who, belonging to one of the noblest
+families, was the aim of so many aspirations, could raise his wife to a
+brilliant position; that could only come under Erlau's consideration;
+but Reinhold knew that Cesario, with his noble and thoroughly pure
+character, with his glowing enthusiasm for everything beautiful and
+ideal, might indeed win the heart of an Eleonore--yes, must win it--if
+this heart were still free; and this conviction robbed him of all
+self-possession. There was once an hour in which the young wife had
+lain full of despair on her knees by her child's cradle, with the
+annihilating consciousness that at that moment her husband was
+forsaking her, his child, and his home for another's sake--that hour
+now revenged itself on him, who was guilty of it, revenged itself in
+the words, which stood as if written in letters of flame before his
+soul--"Therefore you made her free also--perhaps for another."
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER V.
+
+
+A storm of applause rolled through the opera house, and the curtain had
+not even been drawn up as yet. It was for the overture, whose last
+tones had just resounded. The theatre was filled to overflowing in
+every place, with the sole exception of one small proscenium box close
+to the stage; this was occupied by a single elderly gentleman, probably
+some rich eccentric, whom it pleased to procure by lavish expenditure
+of money the entire possession of a box, as on such an evening it would
+otherwise hardly have been obtained. Every where else the dazzlingly
+lighted spaces and tiers of boxes, with their rich parterres of ladies,
+offered a brilliant and variegated picture. The world of artists, as
+well as aristocracy, was fully represented. All which the town
+possessed in the way of beauties, celebrities and persons of
+distinction, had appeared to prepare a new triumph for the much admired
+favourite of society. And was this merely what it was all for? No young
+composer was offering his work timidly to the approbation or
+disapprobation of the public: a recognised and undisputed sovereign in
+the realms of music stepped before the world with a new display of his
+talent, in order to gain a new conquest by it. This certainly lay
+written very plainly, although not as if it were agreeable, upon
+Maestro Gianelli's face, who conducted the orchestra. At the same time
+he did not venture to fail in zeal or attention. He knew only too well
+that if he attempted here, where of course a portion of the success
+depended upon him, to intrigue against the all-powerful Rinaldo, it
+must cost him his post, perhaps his entire future, as in such a case
+the disfavour of the public would be ensured to him. Therefore he did
+his duty to the fullest extent, and the overture was performed with
+perfect execution.
+
+The curtain rustled, and in anticipation the composer received the
+homage of eager silence. Before the first act was half concluded there
+was not one of the audience who had not already forgiven Reinhold the
+tyranny with which he had disposed of all means in his hands, and
+insisted mercilessly on having his views carried out. The
+representation was in every respect perfect, and the scenery a
+masterwork. All felt that it was a different hand to that of the usual
+manager which had ruled here, and raised simple theatrical effects
+everywhere to artistic beauty; but all these external advantages
+disappeared before the all-attracting power of the work.
+
+It was, perhaps, the most perfect which Rinaldo had ever composed in
+his own peculiar line, a line by many so much admired, and by so many
+others deplored. At all events this time he produced the very best in
+that style to which Beatrice's influence had drawn him; was it the
+highest which he could produce? This question was absorbed at present
+in the ringing applause with which the audience greeted this new
+creation of their favourite. Was it not Rinaldo again with all the
+fiery spirit of his genius, of which none could tell positively whether
+it were at home above, in the heights of idealism, or below in the
+depths of passion, and which roused again in men's hearts all feelings
+which lay between these two poles.
+
+The storm raged over the northern heaths, and the billows surged
+against the coast. As mists are driven along the cliffs, so rose and
+fell the tones in chaotic confusion, until at last a dreamlike,
+beautiful melody dawned forth. But it only hovered like a fleeting
+vapoury picture over the whole, never completed, never ringing forth
+clear and full, and soon it was lost amid other sounds, which not so
+pure and sweet as it, yet attracted with a singularly strange charm.
+The mists separated, and out of them appeared the demon-like beautiful
+form, which was the chief performer and central figure of the whole
+opera. Loud acclamation greeted Signora Biancona's appearance on the
+stage. Beatrice showed to-day that she still understood how to be
+beautiful, as at the commencement of her career. What art may have done
+towards it was not now brought into consideration, enough that the
+apparition standing before the public was perfect in every respect. The
+half fantastic, half classic costume displayed her figure in all its
+grace, her dark curls flowed loosely over her shoulders, and her eyes
+gleamed with the old devouring fire. And now that voice was raised,
+which had been the admiration of almost all Europe, full and powerful,
+filling the extensive space--the singer still stood at the zenith of
+her beauty and artistic strength.
+
+The melodies flowed forth, still more glowing, more fiery, and before
+the audience a picture of sounds was unfolded which seemed to borrow
+its colours, now from the brightest sunlight, now from the scorching
+heat of a crater. It pourtrayed the lost wild life of one whose cup was
+filled to the brim, and who drained it to the very dregs. This rushing
+forth beyond all bounds and limits, the volcanic glow of feelings, the
+goblinlike play with tones carried the hearers irresistibly away on the
+sea of passion, there to cast them adrift between shuddering and
+enchantment, between heaven and hell. At times, indeed, notes rang out
+like paeans of joy and triumph, but between were startling, harsh
+discords, and then again sounds of that first lost melody were wafted
+back, which ran through the entire opera like a soft, intensely painful
+yearning plaint. As a dream of love and happiness passes through the
+soul of man without ever descending to reality, so breathed and died
+these tones in the distance, while in the foreground stood ever and
+ever again the one figure, which Rinaldo had endowed with the highest
+dramatic power, of which he was a master like none other, which he had
+surrounded with all the magic of his melodies, whose sensual,
+entrancing charms were laid like a ban upon the listeners' souls.
+
+Beatrice was, if any one, adapted to understand this music exactly in
+its innermost being and nature and to do it justice; she, whose
+peculiar element was passion, who, as an actress, had sought and found
+her triumph in it only. It rang out of every note of her singing,
+quivered out of every motion in her acting, which raised itself to a
+greater dramatic height than ever before, while she represented hate
+and love, devotion and despair, rage and revenge with life-like truth.
+It was as though this woman poured forth a stream of fire, which
+imparted itself to the audience, who, half charmed, half alarmed,
+followed her performance. Never yet had the singer been so entirely
+part of her task, never yet had she delivered it so perfectly as this
+time. No one guessed, indeed, for what prize she struggled, what urged
+her to employ her best powers. Was it not to win back _him_, whom
+already she had more than half lost! He had admired the actress before
+he had learned to love the woman, and the actress now called all the
+power of her talent to her aid, in order to maintain that of the woman.
+For the first time the storm of applause was indifferent to her, as it
+succeeded every scene; for the first time she did not care for the
+worship of the crowd; she only waited for the one glance of passionate
+rapture which had so often thanked her on such evenings--but to-day she
+waited in vain.
+
+"Signora Biancona surpasses herself tonight," said Marchese Tortoni,
+enthusiastically, to Captain Almbach, who was in his box. "Often as I
+have admired her, I never saw her like this before."
+
+"Nor I," replied Hugo, monosyllabically.
+
+Cesario looked at him in undisguised astonishment. "That sounds very
+cool, Signor Capitano. Have you no other expression of admiration for
+this woman, who stands so close to your brother?"
+
+Hugo's countenance was indeed as cool as his tone, while he replied
+quietly, "That is just Reinhold's taste. Sometimes our views lie very
+far apart. However, it would be unjust not to admire Signora Biancona
+to-night without reserve, and I do it, too--that is to say, from a
+spectator's point of view. Close to her, such a passion, beyond all
+reason, which seems to know no limits, would be rather unnatural. I can
+never quite dismiss the thought that one day Donna Beatrice will carry
+this truly masterful acting into reality, and could be a sort of Medea
+there also, who only breathes forth death and ruin. That she _can_ do
+it, one sees by her eyes and--although I do not otherwise exactly
+belong to the timid class, I could not love such a woman."
+
+"And yet Reinhold's works require exactly this fiery representation,"
+said the Marchese, reproachfully, "and of that only a Biancona is
+capable."
+
+"Yes, to be sure, she has always been his doom," murmured Hugo, "and he
+will never be free so long as this doom reigns over him."
+
+The two gentlemen had long since remarked Consul Erlau in the opposite
+stage box, and exchanged greetings with him. They never suspected that
+he was not alone any more than did others of the audience, as the lady
+who accompanied him sat far behind in the background of the box,
+entirely concealed by the folds of the half lowered curtain, but yet so
+that she could quite overlook the stage, and her companion, when he
+spoke to her, took the precaution of rising and stepping back also. She
+wished, evidently, to avoid being seen, and also to avoid a visit from
+the two gentlemen.
+
+Ella had actually obtained the fulfilment of her wish by her indulgent
+adopted father. So far she knew but few, and only the unimportant
+compositions of her husband, several songs and fantasias, nothing else.
+The peculiar field of his labours and its results--the opera--was
+unknown to her. In consequence of the deadly wound inflicted upon her,
+she had never been able to conquer herself sufficiently to witness the
+triumphs which his operas obtained in her native town, those triumphs
+which were founded on the ruins of her life's happiness; and what she
+learned from the newspapers, or through strangers to whom her near
+connection with the admired composer was not known, only plunged the
+dagger deeper into her soul. Now, for the first time, the tone poet,
+Rinaldo, appeared before her in the most genial of his works, now she
+learned to know the power of those notes which so often had conquered
+friends and foes, and even carried away opponents to admiration, and
+the effect was overpowering. Half bent forward, listening breathlessly,
+the young wife followed every note of the music; she was now still
+capable, amid all the beauties which developed themselves before her,
+of gazing into the dark depths which were disclosed therein. For the
+first time she understood her husband's character entirely and wholly,
+this glowing artist's nature with all its contradictions, with its
+storms, tempests and struggles; for the first time she comprehended
+what the deeply injured wife _would_ not comprehend until now, the
+inner need of nature which compelled Reinhold to tear himself loose
+from the confined fetters of provincial every-day life and to follow
+the call of his genius, which made this catastrophe for him a struggle
+between life and death.
+
+That he also broke those bonds, which under every circumstance ought
+to have been held sacred by him, that he sacrificed the duties of a
+father and a husband, who forsook his own for what would have been
+justifiable independence of a free man, could not be exonerated even by
+his genius; but in Ella's heart there now dawned, softly suggested, the
+question--what had she herself been in those days to her husband, that
+she should have required him to resist temptation, which came before
+him in the guise of a Beatrice Biancona, and what could she offer
+against a passion, whose glowing romance had, from the first, ruled the
+artist more than the man. The wife entrusted to him was then far too
+much oppressed with the burden of her education and surroundings, to be
+able to raise herself in any degree to his height; in her place there
+stood another in all the glory of her beauty and talent, and this other
+showed the young composer the path of liberty and fame. He had
+succumbed! Ella felt from the depths of her inmost heart that he would
+not have done so, could she have been to him then what she was to-day.
+
+For the last time the curtain was drawn up, and until the last note
+Reinhold showed that he had been true to himself. The finale was as
+grand as the entire opera, and created a thrilling effect. Yet the work
+was wanting in one thing, the highest, for which not all the brilliant
+flashes of genius could atone, namely, harmony with itself. It had no
+peace, and awoke none in the minds of the audience. The composer
+appeared to have infected his work with the conflict which lay
+unappeased in his own breast; it was after all but the despair of life,
+of happiness, of himself. When the nightlong tempest had raged until
+exhausted, no fluttering morning's red peeped forth, promising a new
+and better day; on the wide, dreary waste of waters only the wreck was
+driven about, and clinging to it the shipwrecked traveller reached his
+native coast at last--too late to be saved. When wearied and wounded to
+death he sinks down there; once more is heard completed, as if 'twere
+ghostly tones from the far off unapproachable distance, that dream-like
+melody for the first time ringing out full and perfect in death, and
+the notes fade and die softly, as the life-blood ebbs away.
+
+The reception of this opera by the audience far surpassed any success
+which Rinaldo had ever gained. Surely this music and performance were
+certain of approbation from a southern public. There every spark took
+fire, there each flame ignited and spread from one to another. One
+would have imagined the applause must have exhausted itself at last,
+the acclamations must have moderated themselves, but to-day even the
+most exalted enthusiasm appeared capable of rising still higher. After
+the close of each act, after every scene, it broke forth anew, and
+ended at last in a regular uproar with which the whole house demanded
+the composer's appearance most tumultuously.
+
+Signor Rinaldo let them wait long before he acceded to this demand, he
+allowed Signora Biancona to come forward alone, again and again, in
+despite of all the stormy cries which were for him. Only at the end of
+the opera, when the calls resembled a riot and the enthusiasm could no
+longer be controlled, only then did he show himself and was greeted in
+such a manner by the audience as must have satisfied the most
+immeasurable ambition.
+
+Proudly and calmly Reinhold stepped on to the stage; he stood almost
+immovable amid the enthusiastic acclamations. He had long since
+learned to accept all triumphs as something due to him, and great
+as were to-day's, not for one moment did they deprive him of his
+self-possession. His dark eyes swept slowly along the rows of boxes,
+but suddenly remained fascinated at a certain point. It was as though
+an electric shock had at once passed through his whole being, he
+started so violently, and his glance flashed--that glance of passionate
+delight for which Beatrice tonight had in vain laid out all the power
+of her talent; and if the fair head which had only become visible for
+one moment did disappear again at the next, yet he knew who was
+concealed behind the curtains of the box, who was witness of his
+triumph.
+
+"Eleonore, that was imprudent!" said Erlau, also retreating from the
+balustrade. "You leaned too far forward. You were seen."
+
+The young wife made no reply; she stood erect, both hands grasping
+the back of the seat from which she had risen in perfect
+self-forgetfulness. The large eyes, full of tears, were still directed
+unabashed to the stage where Reinhold just then came forward again to
+thank the audience, that cheering excited crowd, for whom he was the
+sole centre of attraction. All the thousand eyes were fixed upon him
+alone; all these lips and hands announced his victory, and while
+wreaths and branches of laurel fell at his feet, his name, as if
+carried aloft by one surging wave, resounded back in a thousand echoes.
+
+                           *   *   *   *   *
+
+At the ---- Embassy a large _soiree_ took place, the first
+entertainment of its kind for the season. A numerous assembly of guests
+moved through the magnificent apartments of the ambassadorial hotel.
+Trains swept and uniforms flashed in the rooms beaming with light and
+scented with the perfume of flowers; near charming ladies' faces and
+distinguished wearers of orders might be seen many grave, noteworthy
+figures in simple civilian's dress, and amongst all these well-known
+forms and names, many foreign ones were mixed, who, according to their
+appearance and title, claimed more or less attention, to lose
+themselves again in the throng of guests.
+
+Reinhold and Captain Almbach were also amongst those invited; the
+former was, as usual, the object of flattery and compliments from all
+sides, although demonstrated rather less noisily than so lately in the
+theatre. Reinhold had for long been considered one of the greatest
+celebrities in society. His new opera made him quite the lion of the
+season, and nowhere could he show himself without being surrounded and
+congratulated by every one present.
+
+The charming representative of his work, Signora Biancona, shared this
+universal attention with him. Unfortunately, this time it was
+impossible to express the admiration of both at the same time, as they
+seemed rather to avoid than seek each other. Observant lookers-on
+declared that some slight rupture must have occurred between them, as
+they had arrived separately and never once drew together. Nevertheless
+the actress was continually surrounded with admiration, due, probably,
+in no small degree to her beauty. Beatrice understood perfectly how to
+"drape" herself for the drawing-room as well as for the stage, and if
+her toilette generally displayed something fantastic, it harmonised so
+peculiarly with her style of appearance that she only appeared the more
+fascinating. The singer preferred black, like many of her country
+women, and had selected it again to-day, but the dress composed of
+velvet, satin and lace was still most extravagantly magnificent, and
+rich jewels glistened on the dark ground. Single crimson flowers,
+apparently scattered carelessly here and there in her hair, seemed to
+fasten the black lace veil, and with these the Italian's dark
+complexion and burning flash of her eyes, formed a whole, which if
+intended to create an effect, certainly attained this result in the
+highest degree.
+
+"Ah, Herr Almbach, so I find you here?" asked Lord Elton, who, glad to
+find any one with whom he could speak English, came up to Captain
+Almbach. "I wanted to see you for several days. Your brother's new
+opera----"
+
+"For mercy's sake, my Lord, do not talk about that!" interrupted Hugo,
+with a gesture of horror, "since the day of its performance I have been
+nearly plagued to death with my brother's opera; everybody feels in
+duty bound to congratulate me too. How often have I wished for a
+revolution, an earthquake, or at least a slight outbreak of Vesuvius,
+so that at least something else may be talked of in society."
+
+Lord Elton shook his head half-laughingly, half-disapprovingly. "Herr
+Almbach, you should not speak so recklessly, if a stranger heard you he
+might misunderstand you."
+
+"Oh, I have amused myself several times by getting rid of some of his
+worst admirers by such expressions of my sentiments," said Hugo, quite
+unconcerned. "I do not feel obliged to offer myself upon the altar of
+my brother's popularity by listening to their speeches. How Reinhold
+can endure this triumph so long, I cannot conceive. Artist natures must
+be very peculiarly organised in this respect; my sailor's nerves would
+have given way long since."
+
+Lord Elton seemed to enjoy the Captain's humour again to-day; he
+remained steadily at his side, and was a silent, but yet very attentive
+listener to all the remarks which Hugo as usual poured forth
+mercilessly upon every known and unknown person.
+
+"If I only knew why Marchese Tortoni suddenly makes such a comet-like
+course through the room," mocked he; "that door seems to be the magnet
+which attracts him irresistibly--ah! yes, now indeed I can understand
+this move."
+
+The last words sounded so unmistakably angry, that Lord Elton also
+looked attentively at the entrance. There appeared Consul Erlau with
+Ella on his arm. Marchese Tortoni was immediately at her side, and all
+three passed through the doorway. The lady wore an apparently simple
+white costume, but one could see that Erlau liked to display himself as
+a millionaire, even so far as his adopted daughter was concerned. The
+white lace dress, which floated so lightly around Ella's delicate
+figure, far surpassed in costliness most of those heavy velvet and
+satin robes which rustled through the room, and the row of pearls which
+adorned her neck was of such enormous value, that many of the sparkling
+jewels were as nothing beside it. Her fair head merely wore its natural
+ornament; no diamond, not even a flower, decorated the rich blonde
+plaits, whose faint golden glimmer harmonised so wondrously well with
+the delicate pink colour of her complexion. That figure required no
+studied artifice of the toilet to prove itself beautiful, it was so
+without any such aid, and if the ladies' glances soon discovered what
+cost was concealed under this seemingly simple costume, the gentlemen
+had no less keen eyes for the poetry of the apparition which sailed
+past them.
+
+The three had arrived in the middle of the room, when, by chance, one
+of the groups in whose midst Reinhold had been, suddenly broke up, and
+he himself appeared standing almost immediately opposite to his wife.
+It was not the first encounter of this kind between the husband and
+wife, and they must always be prepared for the possibility of meeting
+on such occasions. And so Ella seemed to be; only for a moment did her
+arm tremble on that of her companion, and a fleeting colour came and
+went in her cheeks; then, however, the large eyes swept calmly on, and
+she turned to the Marchese, who was telling her the names of some of
+the persons present. Reinhold, on the contrary, stood as powerless as
+if he had forgotten everything around him. Although his wife's present,
+appearance was no longer strange to him, yet she looked quite different
+by the dim lamp-light of the garden room at Villa Fiorina, in the
+gloomy, rainy light of the verandah on that stormy day, and in the
+half-dark background of the opera box. He had never seen her as
+to-night, in the dazzling flood of light in the saloon, in the airy
+pale dress; and, despite the place and surroundings, it came wafted to
+him, as a recollection of that dream-like morning hour at Mirando, when
+the sea broke so deeply blue beneath the castle terrace, and the scent
+of flowers arose from the gardens, while the white figure leaned
+against the marble parapet--certainly her face was turned from him
+then, but now it was turned to another. At the sight of Cesario, who
+still maintained his place by her side, dream and recollection
+vanished; before Reinhold rose his brother's words which had robbed him
+of all peace almost ever since that conversation. "Perhaps for
+another," resounded in his heart. An ardent, threatening glance fell
+upon Cesario; returning to the circle he had barely left, he withdrew
+with a violent movement from the Marchese's greeting and address.
+
+The latter looked at him astounded. He had not the remotest idea of the
+cause of this sudden avoidance, but he suspected for long already, that
+more than enmity only, as he had imagined, lay between Reinhold and
+Erlau. It had not escaped him that some secret connection had taken
+place between Ella and his friend, and to-day's encounter confirmed
+this notion only too strongly. Cesario was too proud to take refuge in
+espionage like Beatrice, and so he endured an uncertainty, whose
+explanation he had as yet no right to require of Ella or the Consul,
+and which Reinhold would not explain to him.
+
+The German merchant was almost a stranger in the gathering, yet his
+companion's appearance soon began to create a sensation. Erlau had, to
+be sure, knitted his brows at the unexpected sight of Reinhold, but
+when he perceived that Ella remained apparently quite calm, the meeting
+rather gave him satisfaction. The Consul was evidently very proud of
+his adopted daughter, and noted the admiring glances and whispered
+remarks which followed her everywhere. He told himself that her former
+husband must see these glances, must hear these remarks, and with a
+scarcely concealed triumphant expression he walked on past the groups.
+
+The throng of guests moving up and down, and the numerous reception
+rooms, made it easy for those to avoid each other who did not wish to
+meet.
+
+About a quarter of an hour after Erlau's arrival, Captain Almbach drew
+near to greet him.
+
+"Are you here, Herr Captain Almbach?" asked the Consul, astonished.
+
+Hugo made a slightly ironical bow. "I have the honour. Does it
+displease you so much?"
+
+"Certainly not! You know I am always pleased to see you; but out of our
+own house one only meets you in your brother's company. It appears
+impossible to go anywhere in society without running up against Signor
+Rinaldo."
+
+"He is intimate with the master of the house," explained Hugo.
+
+"Naturally," growled the Consul. "I should like to find one circle that
+does not adore him, and in which he does not reign. I could not refuse
+our Ambassador's invitation, and wished, too, to show my poor Eleonore
+something more than merely a sick-room. Have you spoken to her?"
+
+"Of course," said Captain Almbach, looking across the room where Ella
+was standing engaged in conversation with the Marchese, Lord Elton, and
+some ladies; "that is to say as much as Marchese Tortoni made it
+possible for me to do so. He claims the lion's share of the
+conversation. I retire modestly."
+
+"Yes, my dear Herr Captain, you must accustom yourself to that,"
+laughed Erlau. "In society Ella is seldom at liberty to converse with
+one alone. I wish you could see her do the honours of my drawing-room.
+Here, we are almost entire strangers, otherwise I assure you Marchese
+Tortoni and Lord Elton would not be the only ones who would annoy you
+in this way."
+
+Ella in the meanwhile had finished her conversation, and left the group
+with a slight bow, in order to return to her adopted father. As the
+Marchese, much to his displeasure, was detained by one of the ladies,
+Ella was crossing the room quite alone, when suddenly, in the middle of
+it, a dark velvet dress pushed past her so closely and rudely that it
+seemed as if done on purpose. Looking up, she perceived close to her
+the beautiful but, at this moment, alarming countenance of Signora
+Biancona.
+
+Ella betrayed neither fear nor confusion, she took her lace dress up
+slowly, and moved slightly aside. There lay on her part a quiet, but
+very determined protest against any contact in this movement, and
+Beatrice seemed to understand it only too well, still she came even
+nearer. Ella felt a hot breath close to her cheek, and heard the
+whispered words--
+
+"Signora, I beg for a moment's audience!"
+
+Ella answered with a look of astonishment and indignation. "You--of
+me?" asked she, equally low, but with an unmistakable intonation.
+
+"I beg for a few moments," repeated Beatrice, "you will grant me them,
+Signora?"
+
+"No!"
+
+"No?" said the Italian's voice, in hardly concealed scorn. "Then you
+fear me so much that you dare not be alone with me even for a short
+time?"
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER VI.
+
+
+Signora Biancona appeared to have touched the right chord. The bare
+possibility of such an idea broke down Ella's opposition. "I will hear
+you," replied she, quickly, "but where?"
+
+"In the little verandah at the right of the gallery. We shall be alone
+there; I will go first, you need only follow me."
+
+With an almost imperceptible motion, Ella bowed her head. The few words
+had been exchanged so rapidly and softly, that no one had overheard a
+syllable, no one even noticed the close vicinity of the two ladies,
+who, at that moment, were only surrounded by strangers; therefore, none
+remarked it when Signora Biancona immediately afterwards disappeared
+from the room, and Ella a few minutes later followed her example.
+
+The gallery, adorned with statues and paintings, next to the
+reception-room was almost empty. Only few guests had sought the cooler
+apartment, at the end of which a glass door led into a half-open
+verandah, which by day probably offered an extensive view over the
+surrounding gardens, but tonight had been included in the entertaining
+rooms, as it also had been decorated with flowering and foliage plants,
+and if not so brilliantly lighted as the saloons, yet was sufficiently
+so; at any rate it was quite empty, and the half-hidden room, lying
+somewhat apart, which was unknown to most of the guests, offered the
+possibility of an undisturbed conversation.
+
+Beatrice was already there when Ella's lace dress rustled through the
+doorway, but the young wife remained very close to it, without
+advancing even a single step beyond. With just the same unbending,
+proud bearing which she had shown at the first meeting in the
+_locanda_, did she now await the commencement of this half-compulsory
+interview. The Italian's eyes hung with a truly devouring expression on
+the white figure which stood opposite to her, flooded with the light of
+the lamps, and whose beauty moved her to the bitterest hatred.
+
+"Signora Eleonore Almbach!" began she at last, "I regret having to
+explain to you that your _incognito_ is already betrayed. For the
+present only to me, but I do not believe that it can be long
+maintained."
+
+"And upon whom would it fall?" asked Ella quietly. "I did not spare
+myself when I assumed this _incognito_.
+
+"Whom then? Perhaps Rinaldo?"
+
+"I do not know Signor Rinaldo."
+
+The words sounded so icily positive, that it was impossible to
+entertain any doubt as to what she meant to express, and Beatrice was
+silenced for a moment by them. It was quite beyond her to understand
+the pride which could not even forgive a Rinaldo for a breach of faith
+once made.
+
+"Indeed, I was not prepared for this denial," replied she. "If
+Rinaldo--"
+
+"You wished to speak to me," interrupted Ella, "and I promised to
+listen to you. That the decision has cost me something, I need hardly
+explain to you; at least I did not expect to hear this name from you,
+nor do I wish it. Let our conversation be as short as possible. What
+have you to say to me?"
+
+"Above all, I have to beg you to employ a different tone in our
+interview," said Beatrice, with irritation. "You are speaking to
+Beatrice Biancona, whose name is surely known to you in other ways than
+merely through our personal connection with one another, and who may
+indeed endure hatred and enmity on the part of an opponent, but not the
+contempt you are pleased to express."
+
+Ella remained perfectly unmoved at this demand. She stepped a little
+aside, under cover of the tall foliage plants, so that she might not be
+seen from the gallery, and then turned again to the speaker.
+
+"I did not seek this interview. It was you, Signora, who to some extent
+forced me to it, therefore you must allow me to preserve the tone which
+I deem to be suitable towards you; none other is at my disposal."
+
+A glance of wild, deadly hatred shot out of Beatrice's eyes, but she
+felt that if she now gave way to her passion, it would rob her of all
+power, and prepare her antagonist a new triumph. She therefore crossed
+her arms, and replied with annihilating scorn--
+
+"You make me do severe penance, Signora Almbach, for having been the
+conqueror in a struggle whose prize was your husband's love."
+
+"You are mistaken," responded Ella, coldly. "I _never_ struggle for any
+man's love. I leave that to women who first gain such a prize with
+difficulty, and then must ever tremble lest they lose it."
+
+The last words seemed to have touched a sore spot. Beatrice paled.
+
+"Certainly you had a right to claim him on the strength of the bridal
+altar," said she, still retaining the former contemptuous tone. "Only,
+alas, even this talisman does not protect one from the misfortune of
+being forsaken."
+
+Now it was she who aimed mercilessly for a wound which she herself had
+made, but the arrow glanced harmlessly back. Ella drew herself up erect
+and proud--
+
+"Certainly not from the pain of such a fate, but at any rate from its
+shame. For the forsaken wife there remain the interest, the sympathy of
+the whole world; for the forsaken lover--only contempt."
+
+"Only that?" said Beatrice grimly. "You mistake, Signora; one other
+thing remains for her--revenge!"
+
+"Is that intended for a threat to me?" asked Ella. "Whoever challenges
+your revenge, may seek to protect herself against it; I am free from
+it."
+
+"Of course, you came from the north where passion is not known, as we
+understand the word," cried the Italian. "With you prejudices, duties,
+the world's opinion, stand for ever and ever in the front--a woman's
+_love_ only comes in the second rank."
+
+"Certainly in the second rank." Ella's tone was now one of unconcealed
+scorn. "In the first stands woman's honour; we are accustomed to place
+it unconditionally and everywhere in front--a prejudice certainly from
+which Signora Biancona has long since emancipated herself."
+
+Ella did not know the rival whom she irritated, otherwise she would not
+perhaps have ventured to let the pride of the deeply injured wife speak
+in so crushing a manner; the effect was an appalling one.
+
+It was as if all at once a demon sprang up in the Italian, as if her
+whole being really shot forth "death and destruction," so flashed her
+dark eyes; a half smothered cry of fury broke from her lips, and
+forgetting everything around her, she took one or two steps forward.
+
+Ella shrank back at this more than threatening movement--
+
+"What does that mean, Signora?" said she firmly. "Violence perhaps? You
+forget where we are. I see that I was wrong to accede to this
+interview, it is high time to end it."
+
+Beatrice appeared to recover her senses to some extent; at least she
+stood still, although the unnatural expression of her eyes had not
+faded; convulsively her hand crushed the black lace veil which fell
+over her shoulders; she did not notice that in doing so one of the red
+flowers detached itself from her hair, and fell to the ground.
+
+"You shall learn to repent these words--this hour, Signora," hissed she
+through her clenched teeth. "You do not know revenge? Very well, I know
+it, and shall know how to show it to you and him."
+
+She swept away and left the young wife alone behind, who could not
+bring herself to re-enter the drawing-room immediately after this
+scene, and encounter Erlau's anxious enquiries. Drawing a long breath,
+she sat down on one of the seats, and rested her head on her hand. This
+wild hatred and threat of vengeance did shake her, but it showed her
+the truth also, through all veils. Only the successful rival is
+hated, only what is lost is avenged, or at least what is given up for
+lost--the infatuation was at an end.
+
+But whom did these threatening words concern? Reinhold? The wife paled;
+she herself had offered a firm bold front to the menace; but at this
+thought a breath as of trembling fear passed through her soul, and as
+if in half unconscious pain she pressed her hand to her bosom and
+whispered--
+
+"Oh, my God, that cannot be. She loves him surely."
+
+"Eleonore!" said a voice quite close to her.
+
+Ella started up. She recognised the voice at the first sound, even
+before she saw the figure, which stood on the other side of the
+doorway, as though it did not dare to pass. Reinhold seemed to gain
+courage when he saw no repelling movement, and entered completely.
+
+"What is it?" asked he uneasily, "I find you alone here in this distant
+room, and just now I saw another come from it and hurry through the
+gallery. You spoke--"
+
+"To Signora Biancona," added Ella, as he stopped.
+
+"Did she insult you?" cried Reinhold irately. "I know her look, which
+betokened no good. I almost suspected it when I saw her disappear so
+suddenly from the drawing-room, and you were to be seen no more. I came
+too late, as it appears. Did she insult you, Ella?"
+
+His young wife rose, and made a movement as if to leave--
+
+"If she had done so, you understand surely that your protection would
+be the last which I should claim."
+
+She tried to pass him, and reach the door. Reinhold made no attempt to
+detain her, but his glance rested upon her with such sad reproach, that
+she stopped involuntarily.
+
+"Eleonore," said he softly, "one more question before you go--only one.
+You were at my opera--why deny it? I saw you, as you saw me. What urged
+you to go?"
+
+Ella lowered her eyes, as if it were a fault of which she was accused,
+and a treacherous warmth flowed over her brow and cheeks, as she
+hesitatingly replied--
+
+"I wanted to become acquainted with the composer, Rinaldo, in his
+works."
+
+"And now that you have become acquainted with him?"
+
+"Do you wish for my judgment upon your new creation? The world says it
+is a masterwork."
+
+"It was a confession," said he with strong emphasis. "I did not,
+indeed, imagine that you would hear it, but as it was so--did you
+understand it?"
+
+His wife was silent.
+
+"I only saw your eyes for one moment," continued he passionately, "but
+I saw that tears stood in them. Did you understand me, Ella?"
+
+"I comprehended that the author of such tones could not endure the
+narrow circle of my parent's house," replied Ella firmly, "and that
+perhaps he chose the best for himself when he broke through it and
+plunged into a life full of warmth and passion, such as his music
+paints. You have sacrificed everything to your genius--I bear you
+testimony that this genius was worthy of the sacrifice."
+
+The last words sounded intensely bitter; they seemed to have touched
+the same chord in Reinhold.
+
+"You do not know how cruel you are," said he in a like tone, "or rather
+you know it only too well, and make me suffer tenfold for every pang I
+once caused you. What indeed is it to you, if I rise or succumb in a
+life which the world deems unequalled happiness, which I often, so
+often already, would have given away for a single hour of rest and
+peace! What is it to you, if your husband, the father of your child, be
+devoured with wild longing for reconciliation with a past which he
+could never quite tear out of his heart, if at last he despairs of
+everything and of himself! He has merited his fate; therefore the rod
+was broken over him, and the elevated, virtuous pride of his wife
+denies him every word of reconciliation, denies him even the sight of
+his child--"
+
+"For Heaven's sake, Reinhold, control yourself," interrupted Ella
+anxiously. "We are not alone here--if a stranger heard us!"
+
+He laughed bitterly--
+
+"Well, then he would hear the great crime, that the husband has for
+once dared to speak to his wife. And if all the world learn it, I care
+no longer upon whom the discovery, whom the condemnation falls. Ella
+you must remain," interrupted he beside himself, as he saw she wished
+to depart. "For once I must ease my breast of what I have carried about
+with me for months, and as you are at other times so inaccessible to
+me, you must listen to me now and here. You must I say."
+
+He seized her arm, so as to detain her by force; but at the same moment
+Marchese Tortoni appeared at the door, and stepped almost furiously
+between them.
+
+Reinhold let his wife's arm go, and drew back. Cesario's appearance
+showed him that the latter must have been present at least during the
+last scene; with dark brow and a grave look the Marchese placed himself
+at once by Ella's side.
+
+"May I offer you my arm, Signora?" said he, very positively. "Your
+uncle is uneasy at your absence. You will allow me to accompany you to
+him."
+
+Reinhold had already mastered his astonishment, but not his excitement.
+The interruption at such a moment irritated him to excess, and the
+sight of Cesario at his wife's side robbed him completely of his
+self-control.
+
+"I request that you will withdraw, Cesario," said he violently and
+dictatorially, with that superiority which he had always employed
+towards his young friend and admirer, but he forgot that he no longer
+held the foremost place with the latter. The Marchese's eyes flashed
+with indignation, as he replied--
+
+"The tone of your request is as singular, Rinaldo, as the request
+itself; you will therefore understand if I do not accede to it. I
+certainly did not understand the German words which you exchanged with
+Signora Erlau, but yet I saw that she was to be compelled to stay when
+she wished to go. I fear she requires protection--pray command me,
+Signora!"
+
+"You will protect her from _me_?" cried Reinhold, becoming excited. "I
+forbid _you_ to approach this lady!"
+
+"You appear to forget that it is not Signora Biancona in this case,"
+said the Marchese, cuttingly. "You may have a right there to forbid or
+allow, but here--"
+
+"I have it here more than any other."
+
+"You lie."
+
+"Cesario! You will answer for this to me," cried Reinhold angrily.
+
+"As you please," replied the Marchese, equally violently.
+
+Ella had up to this time tried in vain to interrupt the sentences which
+were exchanged rapidly between the wildly excited men; they did not
+listen to her, but the last words, whose meaning she understood only
+too well, showed her the whole extent of the danger of this unhappy
+meeting. With quick decision she stepped between them, and said with a
+determination which commanded attention even at this moment--
+
+"Marchese Tortoni, do not proceed any farther! It is a
+misunderstanding."
+
+Cesario turned at once to her. "Pardon, Signora! We forgot your
+presence;" said he more calmly. "But you overlook the fact that in
+Signor Rinaldo's words there lies an insult to you, which I am not
+inclined to tolerate. I cannot and shall not retract my words, unless
+you were to convince me that he is right."
+
+Ella struggled with herself in agonising indecision. Reinhold stood
+silent and gloomy; she saw that he would not speak now, that with this
+silence he wished to compel her, either to deny or acknowledge him as
+her husband; but to deny him, meant in this case to call forth the
+worst consequences. The insult had taken place, and with the two men's
+characters, a fatal meeting was inevitable. If it were not withdrawn,
+no choice remained to the wife.
+
+"Signor Rinaldo goes too far when he still claims rights which he once
+possessed," replied she at last. "But no insult lay in his words, he
+spoke--of his wife!"
+
+Reinhold breathed more freely--at last she confessed it before Cesario.
+The latter stood as if struck by lightning. Often as he had sought for
+a solution of the enigma, he had never expected one such as this.
+
+"Of his wife!" repeated he almost stupified.
+
+"We have been separated for years," said Ella voicelessly.
+
+This explanation restored the Marchese's steadiness. He immediately
+guessed the cause of the separation; did he not know Beatrice Biancona?
+The one name made all clear to him, and left no doubt as to whose side
+the fault lay on now. The Captain was right in his conjecture; the
+discovery, instead of frightening Cesario away, rather made him break
+forth in passionate partizanship for the beloved and injured wife.
+
+"Well then, Signora," said he quickly, "it only rests with you, whether
+you will recognise a claim, which Rinaldo founds upon a past, which
+exists no longer, and which he himself surely destroyed. You alone have
+to decide whether I may still approach you, if in future I may dedicate
+a feeling to you, which I confess openly is now more than the cold
+admiration of a stranger, and which one day you must accept or refuse."
+
+He spoke with all the ardour of a long suppressed emotion, but also
+with the noble, immovable confidence of a man, to whom the beloved one
+is elevated above all doubt, and the language was sufficiently plain;
+it pressed urgently for a decision, from which the wife shrank back
+tremblingly.
+
+"Yes, indeed Eleonore, you must decide," said Reinhold, now taking up
+the word. His voice all at once sounded unnaturally calm, but the
+glance which hung openly on his wife with an expression as if in the
+next moment the fiat of life or death should fall from her lips, showed
+better how it was with him. For one second's duration both their eyes
+met, and Ella could have been no woman had she not now seen that the
+most perfect, annihilating revenge lay in her hand. One single "Yes"
+from her lips would avenge all that she had suffered. Slowly she turned
+to Cesario.
+
+"Marchese Tortoni--I beg you to desist--I still consider myself bound."
+
+A short portentous pause followed the words. Ella saw what a struggle
+between pain and pride of the man, who would not show how deeply he had
+been struck, went forward in the young Italian's beautiful features;
+she saw him bow to her, without speaking a word, and turn to go; but
+courage failed her to cast a glance to the other side.
+
+"Cesario!" cried Reinhold, going a step towards him as if in rising
+repentance. "We are friends."
+
+"We _were_ so," replied the Marchese, coldly. "You surely comprehend,
+Rinaldo, that this hour separates us. My accusation against you I
+must certainly retract! your wife's explanation exonerates you from
+it--farewell, Signora."
+
+He left the husband and wife alone. Neither spoke during the next few
+minutes. Ella bent low over one of the perfumed flowers, and a few
+tears fell upon the broad shining leaves. Then her name was borne to
+her ear by a trembling breath--she seemed not to hear it.
+
+"Eleonore!" repeated Reinhold.
+
+She raised her eyes to him. Intense pain still rested on her face, but
+her voice sounded under perfect control again.
+
+"What have I said then? That I shall never make use of the freedom
+which your step gave me? That was certain from the first; without this
+the experience of my marriage protects me from any second one. I have
+my child, and in it the object and happiness of my life. I require no
+other love."
+
+"You, certainly not," said Reinhold, with quivering lip, "and my doom
+is indifferent to you--you have always loved your child only, and never
+me. For his sake you could break through all the prejudices of your
+bringing up and become another woman; you could not do it for your
+husband."
+
+"Did he then ever give me such love as I found in my child?" asked
+Ella, in a very low voice. "Let it be, Reinhold! You know who stands
+between us, and will ever stand."
+
+"Beatrice? I will not accuse her, although she was more to blame for my
+departure then than you perhaps believe. Yet, I was always master of my
+will--why did I yield to the fascination? But if I have now recognised
+its deception, and tear myself away--"
+
+"Will you forsake her, as you forsook me?" interrupted his wife, in
+reproachful condemnation. "Do you think that _that_ could reconcile us?
+I have lost all belief in you, Reinhold, and it will not be restored to
+me, even if you sacrifice a second person now. I have no cause for
+sparing or considering this Biancona, but she loves you; she offered up
+all for you, and you yourself gave her an undisputed right of
+possession for years. If even you would now destroy the fetters you
+forged for yourself she would still part us for ever. It is too late; I
+_cannot_ trust you any more."
+
+Immeasurable sadness rang in the last words, but at the same time
+unbending firmness. In the next moment Ella had left the room. Reinhold
+was alone.
+
+                           *   *   *   *   *
+
+It was on the day following this entertainment, already towards
+evening, when Captain Almbach entered Reinhold's drawing-room.
+
+"Is my brother still not visible?" asked he of the servant who met him.
+
+The latter shrugged his shoulders, and pointed across to the locked
+door of the study.
+
+"You know, Signor, that we dare not disturb him. Signor Rinaldo has
+locked himself in."
+
+"Since this morning!" murmured Captain Almbach; "that begins, indeed,
+to be alarming. I must absolutely find out what has happened."
+
+He went to the study door, and knocked in such a manner that it could
+not be unheard.
+
+"Reinhold, open the door! It is I."
+
+No answer came from within.
+
+"Reinhold, twice to-day have I demanded admittance to you in vain. If
+you do not open the door now, I shall think some misfortune has
+happened, and burst it open in a minute."
+
+The threat seemed to have some effect. Steps were heard inside the
+room; the bolt was pushed back, and Reinhold, standing before his
+brother who entered quickly, said impatiently--
+
+"Why this disturbance? Can I never be alone?"
+
+"Never!" said Hugo, reproachfully. "Since this morning you have been
+inaccessible to everybody--even to me; and your face shows that you are
+more fitted to bear anything than being alone. That unfortunate
+_soiree_ last night; Heaven knows what befel you all! Ella suddenly
+disappeared from the room, and I am convinced you spoke together.
+Marchese Tortoni, who also became invisible, returned with a
+countenance as if he had received his verdict of death, and left the
+party the next moment. I find you in the gallery in a state of
+excitement beyond description, and Donna Beatrice looked like the last
+judgment day, as she entered her carriage. I bet that she alone has
+caused all the mischief. What is the matter between you?"
+
+Reinhold folded his arms, and looked gloomily at the ground. "Nothing
+more now--we are separated from henceforward."
+
+Captain Almbach stepped back in intense surprise. "What does it mean?
+You accompanied her."
+
+"Yes, she knew how to manage that, and so at last it came to a decision
+between us."
+
+"You have broken with her?" asked Hugo.
+
+"I--no," replied Reinhold, with a bitter expression; "it was told me
+plainly enough that I might sacrifice no 'second.' It was Beatrice who
+brought the rupture violently about. Why must she force me to an
+interview so immediately after it had become clear to me what I had
+lost for her sake? She called me to account for my thoughts and
+feelings, and I told her the truth which she demanded--mercilessly
+perhaps, but if I was cruel, she challenged me to it ten times over."
+
+"I can imagine it, from what I know of Biancona," said Hugo, in an
+under tone.
+
+"From what you know of her?" repeated his brother. "Do not believe it!
+Did I not only really learn to know her last evening? It was a scene; I
+tell you, Hugo, even you, with all your energy, would not have been
+equal to her. One must have something of a fiend in one's nature to
+resist such a woman. That hour put its seal upon our separation."
+
+The words were full of gloomy moodiness, but betrayed no relief, no
+removal of any weight. Captain Almbach shook his head.
+
+"I fear the story will certainly not end there. This Beatrice is not a
+woman to waste away in helpless tears. Be upon your guard, Reinhold!"
+
+"She threatened me with all her vengeance," said Reinhold darkly, "and
+so far as I know her, she will keep to it. Let her then! I do not
+tremble before what I called up myself--with happiness I had parted
+already."
+
+"And if this separation continued irretrievable, do you not believe in
+the possibility of a reconciliation with Ella?" asked Hugo, gravely.
+
+"No, Hugo, that is over. I know that she cannot forget. Not one voice
+in her heart speaks for me now, if it even ever spoke. The cleft
+between us is too wide, too deep; no bridge leads across it now. I have
+given up the last hope."
+
+The brothers' conversation was interrupted at this moment by Jonas, who
+entered hastily.
+
+Reinhold looked up, annoyed that his brother's servant should venture
+to enter his study so unceremoniously, and Hugo had a rebuke ready on
+his lips, when a glance at the sailor's face arrested it.
+
+"What is it, Jonas?" asked he uneasily. "Is it anything important?"
+
+"Herr Captain!"--the sailor's voice had quite lost its usual quiet
+tone, it trembled audibly----"I have just come from Herr Erlau's
+house--you know that I often go there now--the old gentleman is beside
+himself; all the servants are running about--Annunziata cries her eyes
+out, although she really is not to blame for it, and young Frau Erlau
+just now----"
+
+"What has happened?" cried Reinhold, with the dread of presentiment.
+"Some misfortune?"
+
+"The child is gone," said Jonas, desperately; "since this forenoon. If
+they do not find it again, I believe the mother will lose her life."
+
+"Who? Little Reinhold?" enquired Hugo, while his brother stared at the
+messenger of evil, without power over a single word. "How could it
+happen? Was no one there to look after him?"
+
+"He was playing in the garden as usual," related Jonas, "and Annunziata
+with him; she went into the house for a quarter of an hour, as she
+often does. When she returned, the garden door was open, the child
+gone, and not a trace of him to be found. They have roused all the
+neighbourhood, searched all the environs, but no ponds nor pits, where
+the little one could come to grief, are anywhere near, and if he had
+run away, he is big enough, after all, to find his way back again. No
+one can understand the mystery."
+
+The brothers' looks met. In both their eyes stood the same terrible
+thought. The next moment, Reinhold, pale as a corpse, and trembling
+with excitement in all his limbs, seized his hat from the table.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER VII.
+
+
+"I will soon procure the solution," cried Reinhold. "I know where to
+seek it. You go first to Ella, Hugo! I will follow--perhaps with the
+child."
+
+The more thoughtful Hugo caught him quickly by the arm.
+
+"Reinhold, I implore you, do not be too hasty! We do not know the
+particulars so far. The child may have strayed away, and, as it does
+not speak Italian, not have found its way back yet. Perhaps it has
+already been brought home to its mother. What are you going to do?"
+
+"Demand the restoration of my son," cried Reinhold, with fearful
+wildness. "That, then, was the vengeance which this fury had thought
+of. Ella and me--she would strike us both with one single deadly blow!
+but I will succeed in reaching her. Let me alone, Hugo! I must go to
+Beatrice."
+
+"That would be of no use," cried Captain Almbach, whom the expression
+on his brother's face alarmed, and who endeavoured in vain to restrain
+him. "If your suspicion be well founded, she will know, too, how to
+play her part. You will only irritate her more. We must adopt other
+means."
+
+Reinhold broke away by main force. "Leave me alone; if any one can, I
+shall compel her to deliver up my child! If I do not compel her--well,
+a catastrophe must ensue."
+
+He rushed away. Beatrice's house lay rather far from his; yet he
+traversed the distance in less than a quarter of an hour. Usually, he
+required no announcement there; all the doors flew open before him; he
+was wont to be considered as master here. To-day the servant who opened
+the door assured him positively the Signora could not be spoken to by
+any one, not even Signor Rinaldo; she was very ill, and had strictly
+forbidden--
+
+Reinhold did not let the man complete his sentence. He thrust him
+aside, hurried through the ante-room, and tore open the drawing-room
+door. The room was empty, equally so the adjoining boudoir; the doors
+of the remaining rooms stood wide open, nowhere was she whom he sought,
+not a sign of her; she had evidently left the house.
+
+Reinhold saw that he came too late, and in the overwhelming
+consciousness of this discovery, he felt vaguely that Beatrice's flight
+had saved him from a crime. In his present state of mind he would have
+been capable of anything towards the abductor of his child. By calling
+all his strength together, he forced himself to be calm, and returned
+to the servant, who had not dared to follow him, but stood frightened
+and uncertain in the anteroom.
+
+"Signora has gone then--since when?"
+
+The servant hesitated in his reply. The questioner's face appeared to
+betoken no good.
+
+"Marco, you must answer me! You see that I shall not be deterred by any
+excuse; you seek to deceive me, according to the Signora's commands.
+Once more, when did she go, and where?"
+
+Marco was evidently not initiated into the secret, as he was not at all
+prepared for this question. However, he may have listened to part of
+the scene which took place the preceding evening between his mistress
+and Signor Rinaldo, and explained to-day's affair in his own way. It
+was quite in keeping with Beatrice's violent character, that she should
+now have left the town for a few days, if only to render it impossible
+to continue the performance of Rinaldo's opera, and that the latter
+should be beside himself with anger was easily comprehended. It was
+not, indeed, the first disagreement between the two, and all quarrels
+so far had always ended in a reconciliation. With the prospect of such
+a readjustment of affairs, the servant was clever enough not to injure
+himself with the ruling side, and therefore intimated that Signora had
+left the house early this morning, with the distinct order that all
+enquiries were to be replied to "that she was ill." She had driven away
+in her own carriage; where, he did not know.
+
+"And where did she drive to?" asked Reinhold, breathlessly. "Have you
+not heard what address she gave the coachman?"
+
+"I believe--to Maestro Gianelli's house."
+
+"Gianelli! then he, too, is in the plot. Perhaps he may still be
+reached. Marco, so soon as Signora arrives, or any news of her, let me
+know at once! At once! I will pay you with gold for every word. Do not
+forget this!"
+
+With these words, almost thrown at the servant in his flight, Reinhold
+hastened away. Marco looked astounded after him. To-day's scene was
+enacted much more tempestuously than any former ones under similar
+circumstances, and Signor Rinaldo's excitement surpassed anything he
+had seen before. What then had happened? The maestro could not possibly
+have eloped with Biancona? It really almost looked like it.
+
+In Consul Erlau's house naturally intense confusion and excitement
+reigned. Captain Almbach, who had hurried there without delay,
+undertook at once the management of the enquiries which had been
+already set on foot with the greatest energy and caution, but even he
+could not discover anything. In the meanwhile, the one fact was
+clear--that the child had disappeared tracelessly, and so remained. As
+to whether it had left the garden voluntarily, whether it had been
+tempted out, all supposition was at a loss. No one had noticed anything
+unusual, no one had missed the little one until the moment when
+Annunziata returned to fetch him. The poor little Italian was dissolved
+in tears, and yet she was quite blameless in the occurrence, as her
+young mistress herself had called her into the house. The boy was old
+enough not to require constant supervision, and he often played alone
+in the perfectly enclosed place. Hugo had not yet dared to give words
+to the suspicion which he shared with his brother, and which every
+moment became more lively. He had only hinted slightly at an abduction,
+and was at once met with utter incredulity. Robbers in the middle of
+the street, in the most aristocratic quarter--impossible! A misfortune
+was more likely. Once more they began a search, notwithstanding the
+approaching darkness, in the neighbouring gardens and the rest of the
+vicinity.
+
+In the meanwhile, Erlau essayed in vain to pacify his adopted daughter,
+and to point out to her the possibilities and probabilities which still
+might let her hope for a happy termination; Ella did not hear him.
+Silent and deadly pale, without shedding a single tear, she sat by his
+side now, after having taken part for hours in the vain researches,
+which she even to some extent had conducted herself. Although Hugo had
+not alluded to that possibility by a syllable, the mother's thoughts
+took the same direction, and the more inexplicable the child's
+disappearance remained, the more irrepressibly did the recollection of
+her yesterday's encounter force itself upon her, the recollection of
+Beatrice's wild hatred, and burning threats of vengeance; and clear,
+and ever clearer arose the presentiment that this was no case of
+accident or misfortune, but that it was one of crime.
+
+A carriage dashed madly up the street, and stopped before the house.
+Ella, who started at every noise, imagined in every arrival a messenger
+bringing news, flew to the window; she saw her husband descend and
+enter the house. A few minutes later he stood before her.
+
+"Reinhold, where is our child?"
+
+It was a cry of deadly fear and despair, but also a reproach more
+wounding than could be conceived. She demanded her child of him! Was he
+alone to blame that it had been torn from the mother?
+
+"Where is our child?" repeated she, with a vain attempt to read the
+answer in his face.
+
+"In Beatrice's hands," replied Reinhold, firmly. "I came too late to
+rescue it from her; she has fled already with her prey, but at least I
+know her track, Gianelli betrayed it to me; the rogue was cognizant, if
+he were not literally an assistant, but he saw plainly that I was in
+earnest with my threat to shoot him down if he did not tell me the road
+she had taken with the child. They have fled to the mountains in the
+direction towards A----. I shall follow them at once. There is not a
+moment to be lost, only I wished to bring you the information, Ella.
+Farewell!"
+
+Erlau, who had listened to all much shocked, wished now to interpose
+with questions and advice, but Ella gave him no time for it. The
+certainty, fearful as it was, restored her courage; she stood already
+at her husband's side.
+
+"Reinhold, take me with you!" implored she, determinedly.
+
+He made a gesture of refusal. "Impossible Eleonore! It will be a
+journey as for very life, and when I reach the goal, perhaps even a
+struggle between it and death. That were no place for you; I must fight
+it out alone. Either I shall bring you your son back, or you see me now
+for the last time. Be calm! The possibility of his rescue is now in his
+father's hands."
+
+"And the mother shall, in the meanwhile, despair here?" asked his wife,
+passionately. "Take me with you! I am not weak--you know it. You need
+fear no tears or fainting from me when action is required, and I can
+bear all, only not the fearful uncertainty and inactivity, only not the
+anxious waiting for news, which may not arrive for days. I shall
+accompany you!"
+
+"Eleonore, for God's sake!" interposed Erlau, horrified. "What an idea!
+It would be your death."
+
+Reinhold looked at his wife silently for a few seconds, as if he would
+examine how far her strength went.
+
+"Can you be ready in ten minutes?" asked he, quietly. "The carriage
+waits below."
+
+"In half the time."
+
+She hurried into the adjoining room. The Consul wanted to forbid, beg,
+entreat once more, but Reinhold cut him short.
+
+"Leave her alone, as I do," said he, energetically. "We _cannot_ give
+way now to cold consideration. I do not see my brother here, and I have
+not time to seek him. Tell him what has happened, what I have
+discovered. He must take the necessary steps here at once to ensure us
+help, which we may perhaps require, and then follow us. We shall first
+take the direct route to A----. There Hugo will find farther
+information about us."
+
+He turned, without waiting for a reply, to the door, where Ella already
+appeared in hat and cloak. The young wife threw herself, with a short
+tempestuous farewell greeting, on to her adopted father's breast, to
+whose protest she would not listen; then she followed her husband.
+Erlau looked out of the window as Reinhold lifted her into the
+carriage, entered it himself, shut the door, and the horses started off
+in full gallop. This was too much for the shaken nerves of the old
+gentleman, especially after the alarm and excitement of the last few
+hours; almost unconscious, he sank into an arm-chair.
+
+Hardly ten minutes later Hugo entered; he had already heard from one of
+the servants of his brother's sudden arrival and equally sudden
+departure with Ella. At his first hasty questions, Erlau recovered a
+little. He was beside himself at his daughter's decision, still more at
+the independence of her husband, who had borne her away without any
+more ado. Arrival, explanation and departure, all had taken place as in
+a hurricane; this mode of action resembled a regular elopement, and
+what could the poor wife do on such a journey? What might not occur,
+what happen, if they really overtook this dreadful Italian? The Consul
+was nearly in despair at the thought of all the possibilities to which
+his favourite was exposed.
+
+Hugo listened silently to the report, without betraying especial
+surprise or horror. He appeared to have expected something of the sort,
+and when Erlau had ended, laid his hand soothingly on the latter's arm,
+and said quietly, but yet with a slight tremor in his voice--
+
+"Let it be, Herr Consul! The parents are now on their child's track;
+they will, it is to be hoped, find the little one and--each other
+also."
+
+                           *   *   *   *   *
+
+A carriage moved up the steep twisting road of the pass, which led
+through the mountains to A----. Notwithstanding the four powerful
+horses and cheering cries of the driver, it proceeded but slowly. This
+was one of the worst spots in the whole chain of hills. The occupants
+of the carriage, a lady and gentleman, had descended from it, and
+struck into a foot path, which shortened the road almost by half; they
+stood already on the summit, while the conveyance was still some
+considerable distance behind them.
+
+"Rest yourself, Ella!" said the gentleman, as he led the lady into the
+shade of the rocky wall. "The exertion was too much for you; why did
+you insist on leaving the carriage?"
+
+His wife still kept her fixed, comfortless gaze turned to the pass,
+which on the other side descended into the valley, and whose windings
+could be partly overlooked.
+
+"We are a quarter of an hour sooner at the top, at any rate," said she,
+feebly. "I wanted to look out over the road, perhaps even discover the
+carriage."
+
+Reinhold's glance followed the same direction, in which nothing,
+however, could be discerned but the figures of two men, looking like
+peasants, who coming down the hill lustily, sometimes disappeared in
+the turns of the road, soon again to reappear.
+
+"We cannot, indeed, be so near them," said he pacifyingly, "although we
+have flown since last evening. You see, at least, we are on the right
+track. Beatrice has been seen everywhere, and the child beside her. We
+_must_ overtake her."
+
+"And when we do--what then?" asked Ella, listlessly. "Our boy is
+unprotected in her hands. God knows what plans she will pursue with
+him."
+
+Reinhold shook his head--
+
+"Plans? Beatrice never acts upon plans or calculations. The impulse of
+the moment decides everything with her. The thought of revenge has
+suddenly overcome her, and like lightning she has carried it out, like
+lightning fled with her prey. Where? To what end? That is not even
+clear to herself, and for the moment she does not enquire. She wished
+to strike you and me in our most vulnerable point, and she has
+succeeded; more she did not wish."
+
+He spoke with great bitterness, but with most perfect certainty. They
+stood alone at the summit of the pass; the carriage was still far below
+them, and just then disappeared at the last turn of the road. The
+mountains here bore an abrupt, wild character; almost naked the sharp
+rocks rose upwards, now in mighty groups, now wildly split and broken.
+Only aloes could take root in the clefts of the yellow grey stone, and
+here and there a fig tree spread its meagre shade. Yonder, on the other
+side of the valley, a building hung in dizzy height on the mountain's
+wall, a castle or monastery, grey as the rock itself, and barely to be
+distinguished from it at this distance. Lower down at the edge of an
+abyss, a little hill-town had nestled itself, which built in and upon
+the rock seemed almost to form part of it, and its deserted decayed
+appearance harmonised with the loneliness around. Still lower, whirled
+the broad rushing stream, occupying almost the entire width of the
+valley, so that there barely remained space for the road by its side.
+Over the whole scene, however, lay that glowing sunlight of a southern
+autumn day, which is not inferior at all to the power of a northern
+midsummer one; although the sun had long left its noontide height, the
+air was still quivering with heat; sharply and harshly illuminated,
+every single object stood out almost painfully clear to the sight, and
+the heated stones literally burned under the scorching rays to which
+they were incessantly exposed.
+
+"It would be folly to precede the carriage, even only by another step,"
+said Reinhold. "It would overtake us in a moment on the downward route.
+Now we have a view over the whole."
+
+Ella did not contradict him; her countenance bore plainly enough an
+expression of the most extreme physical and mental exhaustion. This
+drive of twenty hours without rest, added to the deadly fear at heart,
+the ever renewed agonising excitement when the track sought for now
+appeared and again was lost--this was too much for the mother's heart,
+and the woman's strength. She sat down on a piece of rock, leaned her
+head silently against the mountain's side, and closed her eyes.
+
+Her husband stood by her and looked down silently at the beautiful pale
+countenance, which in its deadly exhaustion appeared almost alarming.
+The sharp points of the rock buried themselves deeply in her white
+forehead and left red marks there. Reinhold slowly pushed his arm
+between the stone and his wife's fair plaits; she did not seem to feel
+it, and encouraged by it he put his arm quite round her, and attempted
+to give her a better support against his shoulder.
+
+Now Ella started slightly and opened her eyes; she made a movement as
+if she would withdraw from him, but his look disarmed her--this look
+which rested upon her with such painful, anxious tenderness; she saw
+that he did not tremble less for her at this moment than he trembled
+for his child. She let her head sink back again, and remained
+motionless in his arms.
+
+He bent low over her--
+
+"I fear, Eleonore," said he, with an effort, "you have had too much
+confidence in your strength. You will break down."
+
+Ella shook her head denyingly--
+
+"When I have got my boy again--perhaps then. Not before."
+
+"You will recover him," said Reinhold energetically. "How? At what
+cost? I do not certainly yet know; but I know how to master Beatrice
+when the demon is roused in her. Have I not often stood opposed to her
+at times, when perhaps every other person had trembled before her, and
+have known how to enforce my will? Once more, for the last time I shall
+try it, should she and I become the sacrifice."
+
+"You believe in danger, also for yourself?" Ella's voice sounded as if
+full of trembling fear.
+
+"Not if I meet her alone, only if you approach her; promise me that you
+will stay behind at the last station, will not show yourself when we
+arrive. Remember that in the child she has a shield against every
+attack; every means of force on our side, and everything would be lost
+if she were to see you at my side."
+
+"Does she hate me so much?" asked Ella, astonished. "I irritated her,
+it is true, but yet it was you who offended her most deeply."
+
+"I?" repeated Reinhold. "You do not know Beatrice. If I came before her
+penitent, wishful to return, there would be an end of her hatred and
+her revenge. One single oath, that I and my wife are separated and
+remain so, that I have given up all idea of a reunion, she would give
+you back your child without a struggle, without resistance. If I
+_could_ do this, the danger would be over."
+
+Ella's eye sought the ground; she did not dare to look up, as she asked
+almost inaudibly--
+
+"And can you not do it, then?"
+
+His eyes flashed, he let his arm drop from her shoulders, and stepped
+back--
+
+"No, Eleonore, I cannot, and I shall not, as it would be perjury. So
+little as I shall ever return to the bonds which I had felt degraded me
+long before I saw you again, so little shall I give up a hope which is
+more to me than life. Oh, do not draw back so from me! I know I may not
+come near you with sentiments to which I have forfeited the right,
+but you cannot prescribe my feelings to me, and if you did not see
+before--would not see--Beatrice's burning hatred to you, and you alone,
+must show you, how much you are avenged."
+
+Ella made a sudden deprecating motion--"Oh, Reinhold, how can you at
+this moment--"
+
+"It is perhaps the only one in which you do not reject me," interrupted
+Reinhold. "May I not, in the hour when we both tremble for our child's
+life, tell the mother what she has become to me? Even then when I first
+trod Italy's shore, there lay upon me something like a suspicion of
+what I had lost. I could not rejoice over the newly-won freedom the
+artist's career gained at last; and the richer and more brilliant my
+life became externally, the deeper grew that longing for a home which
+yet I had never possessed. You, to be sure, do not know the dull pain
+which will not be still even in the midst of the whirl of passion, in
+the noise of triumph, in the proudest success of one's creations, which
+becomes torture in solitude, from which one must fly, even if only by
+means of intoxication, by the wildest excitement. I believed that it
+was only the longing for my child; then I saw the child again--saw
+you--and I knew what this longing craved for; then began the atonement
+for everything of which I had been guilty towards you."
+
+He spoke quietly, without reproach or bitterness, and the words seemed
+therefore to act all the more powerfully on Ella; she had risen as if
+she would flee from his tone and gaze, and yet could not.
+
+"Spare me, Reinhold!" begged she almost imploringly. "I can feel and
+think of nothing now but my child's danger. When I have the boy safe in
+my arms, then--"
+
+"Well, then?--" asked he in breathless eagerness.
+
+"I shall perhaps not have the courage any longer to pain his father,"
+added Ella, while a flood of tears rushed from her eyes.
+
+Reinhold did not say another word; but he held her hand firmly in his
+own as if he would never loosen it again. At the same moment, the
+carriage appeared on the top of the hill, and the driver stopped to
+give himself and the tired animals a little rest.
+
+Almost simultaneously, the two peasants who had been visible before on
+the road, arrived from the other side. They stared curiously at the
+beautiful pale lady and strange, distinguished-looking gentleman who
+stepped towards them and asked where they came from. They named a place
+which lay at the exit of the valley, some miles distant.
+
+"Have you seen no carriage?" enquired Reinhold.
+
+"Certainly, Signor. A travelling carriage like yours; but they had only
+two horses, you have four."
+
+"Did you see the occupants?" interposed Ella, in a trembling voice. "We
+seek a lady with a child."
+
+"With a little boy?--quite right, Signora. She is a good way before
+you; you must drive sharply if you would overtake her," said the elder
+of the two men while stepping nearer, somewhat alarmed, as the lady
+looked as if about to sink down at the news; but at the same moment her
+companion threw his arm round her, and supported her.
+
+"Courage, Eleonore! We are near the crisis; now we must act."
+
+He lifted her into the carriage, and sprang in after her. The few words
+which he addressed to the driver must have contained some unusual
+promise, as the latter swung his whip sharply across the horses, and
+away they went after the object of their pursuit.
+
+The latter had indeed gained a considerable advantage, and their
+carriage was also driven at a rapid pace. Beatrice was alone in it with
+little Reinhold, who, tired with crying and the restless, fatiguing
+journey, had fallen asleep. The fair, curly little head was pressed
+deeply into the cushions; his hands were twined instinctively around
+the side rests, as if they sought a support against the incessant
+jolting and shaking of the uneven road. The child slept soundly and
+deeply, but Beatrice hardly noticed it just now. She was in that state
+of supreme mental irritation which even puts a limit to the wildest
+passion. She was as if in a heavy, stupid trance, from which only one
+object stands out with fearful distinctness--the recollection of that
+hour when Rinaldo cast himself free from her, when he called her the
+curse and misfortune of his life, and acknowledged to her with proud
+defiance that his love belonged to his wife alone. These words pierced
+the Italian's heart ever again as if with a burning thorn. Whatever she
+had done, however she may have sinned, she had loved this one man with
+all the ardour of her soul--to this one she had been unfailingly true;
+she had considered his love as her right, of which no power on earth
+could deprive her, and now she lost it through the woman whom she
+feared the last of all others--through his wife. His wife and his
+child! They had ever been the dark shadow which menaced this happiness,
+and which now, coming forward out of the gloomy past, took form and
+life in order to destroy it.
+
+Beatrice had hated both, even before she knew them. Did she not know
+best what place they still maintained in Reinhold's remembrance? Had
+she not often enough tried in vain to tear him away from it? There
+must surely be something in the once despised power of sacred
+wedlock; it was victorious at last against the beautiful, charming
+Biancona--against the admired actress; and now made her taste the whole
+agony of being forsaken, to which she had once so indifferently
+condemned another, without asking if that other's heart broke under
+this unmerited fate. The fetters, apparently dissolved, had never quite
+loosed the fugitive; now they encircled him again, and Beatrice felt,
+with desperate certainty, that she had never possessed the place in his
+heart which once more his wife occupied.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER VIII.
+
+
+The passionate woman did indeed not act upon any plan or calculation
+when she seized upon this last extreme means of cooling her revenge.
+Her appearance in the Erlau's garden entirely concerned her hated
+rival. She did not find Ella, but instead found the boy alone, without
+supervision; and the idea, as well as the execution of his abduction,
+were the work of a moment. At first the child willingly followed the
+beautiful stranger, who drew it caressingly towards her, and when he
+commenced to become frightened, and asked to be taken back to his
+mother, it was already too late. Beatrice never thought of the possible
+consequences of her step when she carried her prey away triumphantly;
+she only felt that no stroke from a dagger could hit Ella's heart so
+deeply and certainly as the loss of her child, and that this loss would
+raise an everlasting barrier between the parents. It was this which she
+had wished. But now she must see how to ensure the booty. Gianelli must
+give his hand to aid the flight so hastily undertaken.
+
+Now more than a day's journey lay already between the child and its
+parents; but they must make a halt some time; some time this aimless,
+planless flight must come to an end.
+
+The vengeance had succeeded beyond expectation--what now?
+
+Little Reinhold still slept. Had he only borne his father's features,
+perhaps that had preserved him from all ill; but this golden fair hair,
+this rosy countenance, and those deep blue eyes--just now closed, to be
+sure--all belonged to the mother--the woman whom Beatrice hated as she
+had never yet hated anything in the world, and this likeness was
+ominous to the sleeping child. The burning eyes of his companion rested
+for some minutes fixedly on his face; then she suddenly started as if
+frightened at her own thoughts, tore her gaze away from the boy, and
+turned aside.
+
+Yonder, up above, she beheld the carriage which was following theirs. A
+travelling carriage was very rare on this road, and it came in the same
+direction--came with the greatest speed. Beatrice guessed at once what
+it meant. So her track was already betrayed, and the pursuers were at
+her heels--let them, indeed! She felt herself to be all-powerful so
+long as she had the child in her hands.
+
+Rising quickly, she ordered the coachman to lash the horses to their
+greatest pace. He obeyed, and now commenced a wild race between the two
+carriages. More than once the powerful animals could hardly keep up,
+more than once the drag threatened to break and overturn the occupants.
+None paid any attention to it, and promises of excessive rewards
+spurred the two drivers on to scorn any danger. It was a furious,
+reckless drive; rocks and ravines seemed to fly past on both sides;
+ever higher rose the mountainous wall, the more the road descended;
+ever nearer rushed the river; yet the four-in-hand had undeniably the
+best of it. Both carriages now rolled down the valley, but the space
+between them was diminished every moment--a few hundred yards, and the
+fugitives would be overtaken.
+
+The first vehicle thundered across the bridge which here united the two
+banks. Beyond, it suddenly stopped. Beatrice herself had given the
+order to do so; she saw that now no evasion, no escape was possible,
+she must be prepared for extremities. The carriage stood close to the
+edge of the river, which shot along with intense rapidity. Slowly
+Beatrice opened the door, while with her left hand she grasped little
+Reinhold, whom the mad gallop had awoke, and who gazed affrighted into
+the foaming, raging waves which rushed past close below him. He did not
+know how near his parents were. Now the second carriage had reached the
+bridge, and the moment Ella beheld her child all consideration and
+recollection were at an end. She forgot Reinhold's warning not to show
+herself, to leave the decisive step alone to him; and bent far out of
+the door.
+
+"Reinhold!" resounded across--it was a cry of inexpressible, trembling
+fear. The child cried out as it recognised its mother, and stretched
+both arms to her. Weeping noisily, it tried to go to her: but this
+sight was its ruin. Beatrice had become white as a corpse when she saw
+the husband and wife side by side. Together, then! What should have
+separated had united them, and if in the next moment Reinhold reached
+the fugitive, and tore his son from her, they would be bound together
+for ever, and for the forsaken one there would only remain contempt or
+revenge.
+
+But the choice was already made. A single step, quick as lightning
+towards the stream, decided all. Beatrice had not loosed her hold of
+the child, and with the strength of despair drew it down with her into
+the flood of death.
+
+A scene of indescribable confusion followed this horrible deed. The
+drivers of both carriages had sprung down from their seats and ran
+objectlessly up and down the banks; they did not even attempt to give
+any succour, which was only possible at the sacrifice of their own
+lives. Ella stood on the bridge; she wanted to cast herself in after
+those whom she could not rescue; but better help was at hand. She saw
+the waves splash up high as her dearest disappeared amidst them--saw
+how these waves also closed the next moment over her husband's head.
+Reinhold had thrown himself in immediately after his child, which, in
+the fall, had torn itself away from Beatrice, and now re-appeared at
+some little distance. Moments of agony ensued, in comparison with which
+all previous suffering was but play. For Ella, life and death were
+struggling together in these foaming, hissing waves, with which the two
+bodies fought, the one helpless, almost powerless to resist, the other
+toiling fiercely to the one point which at last he attained. The father
+grasped his child, drew it to himself, and strove to reach the shore
+with him. Now he planted his foot upon the rocky ground, now he seized
+the overhanging rocky points on which to support himself; and now, too,
+the mother regained power and motion. She rushed to both. Slowly
+Reinhold mounted the cliff; his breast heaved with fearful exertion;
+his arms bled, wounded by the sharp stones to which he had held, but
+these arms encircled his boy whom he clasped against his heart for the
+first time for years, and sinking down half-unconsciously, he placed
+the child in its mother's arms.
+
+                           *   *   *   *   *
+
+"Then this is really and irrevocably to be a farewell visit?" asked
+Consul Erlau of Captain Almbach, who sat near him. "Your departure
+comes very suddenly and unexpectedly. What will your brother, what will
+Eleonore, say to it? Both calculated quite positively upon keeping you
+here a few weeks longer."
+
+On Hugo's usually light brow there lay a shadow to-day, and on his
+features a strange, bitter expression, as he replied--
+
+"You will soon reconcile yourselves to the parting. Reinhold will
+not feel my absence in the constant society of wife and child; and
+Ella--" he broke off suddenly. "Consider it as being all for the best,
+Herr Consul. They will both be far too much occupied with each other
+and their newly-recovered happiness to ask after _me_."
+
+"Yes, indeed," rejoined the Consul, "and the greatest loser in this
+reconciliation am I. For years I have looked upon Eleonore as my child,
+have considered her and the little one as my indisputable property; and
+now, all at once, her husband makes good his so-called rights and takes
+them both from me, without my being able to raise any objection to it.
+I do not understand Eleonore, that she has pardoned him so readily."
+
+"Well, it was not done so very readily," said Hugo gravely. "He met
+with resistance enough, and I hardly believe ha would ever have
+overcome it without that catastrophe which finally came to their
+assistance. He bought the reconciliation with his child's rescue. Ella
+would have been no wife and mother if she had turned away from him
+then, when he laid her boy, uninjured, in her arms. That moment atoned
+for all, and you know as well as I that saving the child nearly cost
+the father's life."
+
+"Yes, certainly, he could do nothing more sensible than become
+dangerously ill after the affair," grumbled Erlau, who decidedly seemed
+to be in a very uncharitable mood. "That was enough to call Ella to his
+side at once, from which she was not to be removed again, and he very
+wisely would not let her leave him. One knows all that. Danger and
+fear, care and tenderness without end! You surely do not require me to
+rejoice over this reconciliation? I wish we had left this Italian
+journey alone, then I should have kept my Eleonore, and Herr Reinhold
+could have continued his genial, romantic artist's life here. That
+would have been perfectly right for me."
+
+"You are unjust," said Hugo reproachfully.
+
+"And you out of sorts," added Erlau. "I do not understand exactly what
+has happened to you Herr Captain; your brother is out of danger, your
+sister-in-law amiability itself, the little one has attached himself
+most tenderly to you, but your cheerfulness seems quite to have left
+you since everything has been swimming in love and peace around us. You
+play no jokes upon any one, you annoy no one with your teasings and
+nonsense, one hardly ever hears a word of fun from you. I fear
+something has got into your head, or even your heart."
+
+Hugo laughed loudly but somewhat forcedly.
+
+"Why not, indeed! I can no longer bear to remain such a time on shore,
+and give up the sea. This inactivity of months wearies me. Thank God,
+it is coming to an end at last. Early to-morrow I depart, and in a few
+more days I shall be out on the waves again."
+
+"And then we all fly apart quite prettily to every point of the
+compass," said the Consul, who still could not get the better of his
+irritation. "You sail to the West Indies, your brother and Eleonore
+will also leave; I go back to H----, a most pleasant solitude which
+awaits me there at home! Herr Reinhold certainly was gracious enough to
+promise me that I should see his wife and child from time to time. From
+time to time! As if that could satisfy me, after having had her about
+me every moment for years. Of course, now the husband and father must
+decide about it! I am convinced he will never let her leave him for a
+week; he is just as overwhelming in his tenderness as he once was in
+his carelessness."
+
+It almost seemed as if the subject of the conversation were painful to
+Captain Almbach, as he broke it off quickly by rising and taking leave
+of the Consul heartily, but yet rather curtly and hastily. Erlau
+evidently saw him go with regret, as however great was the prejudice
+which he entertained against Reinhold, he was as decidedly prepossessed
+in Hugo's favour, and if the latter had been the repentant prodigal,
+the Consul would have regarded the reconciliation with a much more
+favourable eye than he did now where every feeling of justice was lost
+in the pain of the impending separation from his favourite. It only
+slightly consoled the old gentleman that he took his restored health
+home with him; his house appeared very desolate to him now, and he
+sighed deeply as the door closed after his guest.
+
+Hugo, in the meantime, returned to his brother's abode which he still
+shared. His room, in consequence of the preparations for his departure,
+was in the greatest disorder already. He had ordered Jonas to pack up,
+and put all ready for the early morning, and the sailor had partly
+obeyed these directions, as the boxes stood open on the floor, and the
+travelling requisites lay about on the table and chairs.
+
+But there seemed to be no talk of packing at present, as Jonas sat
+quite calmly on the lid of the large travelling chest, and near him
+little Annunziata, whom he had probably called to help him in this
+difficult business. The conversation between them, notwithstanding the
+young Italian's very defective knowledge of German, was in full course,
+and Jonas had also placed his arm, unabashed, round her waist, and was
+just in the act of stealing a kiss from her, which did not seem to be
+the first, and most likely would not have been the last, if Hugo's
+appearance had not put an end to any farther confidential arrangements.
+
+The couple started up, alarmed at the unexpected opening of the door.
+Annunziata recovered herself first. She fled with a slight exclamation
+past Captain Almbach into the ante-room, where she disappeared and left
+the explanation of the situation to her companion. Jonas however,
+transfixed from fright, and stiff as a statue, stood without moving,
+looking at his master, who now entered completely and shut the door
+behind him.
+
+"Do you call that packing the boxes?" asked he. "Then you have gone so
+far happily with your exercise of pity?"
+
+Jonas sighed deeply--
+
+"Yes, Herr Captain, I am so far," replied he, resignedly.
+
+The confession was made with such comical humiliation, that Hugo had
+difficulty to suppress a smile; still he said with a grave face--
+
+"Jonas, I never thought to experience such things in you. It is only
+lucky that you are a man of principles, which will not allow you to let
+such follies become serious. Principles before everything! Our
+'Ellida,' lies ready to sail; to-morrow we start for the harbour, and
+when we return from the West Indies, you will have driven this love
+story out of your head, and Annunziata in the meanwhile will have taken
+another--"
+
+"She will leave that alone," cried Jonas furiously. "I will kill her
+and myself too if she does anything of the kind."
+
+"Will you not extend the killing to me also?" asked Hugo coolly. "You
+seem to be quite in the humour for it. You have gone so far as kissing,
+that is certain. I have actually witnessed with my own eyes how seaman
+William Jonas, of the 'Ellida,' has kissed a woman, and I should have
+thought that with this fact, enough to set one's hair on end, all would
+have stopped."
+
+"Preserve us," said Jonas, defiantly. "That is only the beginning--then
+comes the marrying."
+
+"Will you marry too?" asked Captain Almbach, in a tone of most intense
+indignation. "You will marry a woman? But consider, Jonas, that women
+are to blame for everything, that all mischief in the world originated
+with them, that a man only has peace and quiet when far from them,
+that--"
+
+"Herr Captain," replied the sailor, who contrary to all respect,
+interrupted his master in the middle of his speech, as he heard his own
+words from the other's lips--
+
+"Herr Captain, I was an idiot."
+
+"Oh! your Annunziata seems to have inspired you with much
+self-knowledge already, and that is the more admirable as language in
+your conversation plays a very inferior part. Your chosen one speaks
+German thoroughly badly, and you have not caught much more Italian than
+merely her name. To be sure I saw just now how capitally you managed to
+help yourselves. Your conjugation of '_amare_,' if not quite
+grammatical, was extremely comprehensible."
+
+"Yes, indeed, we know how to help ourselves," said Jonas, full of
+self-consciousness. "We understand each other however always, and on
+the main point we understand each other at once. I like her, she will
+have me, and we shall marry each other."
+
+"And so it ends!" finished Hugo. "And how about our departure, amid
+these suitable arrangements?"
+
+"I shall still go to the West Indies, Herr Captain," answered Jonas
+eagerly. "We cannot marry in quite so head-over-heel a fashion, and my
+bride will meanwhile remain with young Frau Almbach, who has promised
+to take care of her. When I return, however, Annunziata thinks my
+seafaring must end. She thinks when she takes a husband that he must
+stay with her also, and not sail about for years on all kinds of seas.
+We could set up a little public house in some place, where I should not
+be so far from the ocean, and should always meet with my comrades,
+Annunziata thinks."
+
+"Your Annunziata seems to think a great deal," remarked Captain
+Almbach, "and you naturally submit like a converted woman-hater and
+obedient bridegroom to this opinion of your 'future.' Then on this
+voyage, the 'Ellida' is to have the honour of counting you amongst her
+crew? Afterwards she must look out for another sailor and I for another
+servant?"
+
+"Yes, afterwards," said Jonas, somewhat shamefacedly. "If--if you do
+not also--Herr Captain--you had better marry too."
+
+"Don't come to me with your proposals!" cried Hugo, jumping up angrily.
+"I should have thought it would be sufficient at present, that you come
+under petticoat-government. Now, pack my boxes and take leave of your
+Annunziata! As we start very early tomorrow, I--have also still to take
+leave."
+
+The last words sounded so peculiarly forced, that Jonas looked up
+astonished. He knew that it was not his master's wont to let farewells
+in any place be hard for him, and yet he fancied that this one made
+Hugo's heart right heavy. Fortunately the sailor was in similar plight;
+therefore he did not trouble much about it, but set to work to pack,
+while Hugo went across to the rooms which his sister-in-law inhabited
+now. He stood motionless for a few moments before the closed door, as
+if he did not dare to enter; then all at once, as if with sudden
+determination, he put his hand on the latch and opened it.
+
+Ella sat at her writing table. She was alone, and in the act of closing
+a letter she had just concluded, when her brother-in-law entered, and
+came quickly to her.
+
+"Have you announced your return to Germany?" asked he, pointing to the
+letter. "Herr Consul Erlau will make all H---- rebellious with his
+despair at being obliged to return without you and the little one."
+
+Ella laid her pen aside and rose. "I am sorry that uncle should feel
+our parting so much," replied she; "I have already tried my utmost to
+procure a substitute, and by letter begged one of his relations to take
+my place in his house now that other duties call me. His wish for us to
+accompany him to H----, and for us to live with him for a time, I could
+not agree to on Reinhold's account. We have once already given society
+there cause to busy themselves about us; if we return now, there would
+be no end to the painful curiosity and interest, and Reinhold still so
+much needs consideration. He cannot bear the slightest allusion to the
+past as yet, without exciting himself dangerously. We must certainly
+seek another quieter residence."
+
+"At all events, it is fortunate that you have decided him to return to
+Germany at all," said Hugo; "he has been estranged from home long
+enough, both as regards his life and his musical labours. It is time
+that he should at last take root in his fatherland."
+
+Ella smiled. "You preach that to me and him daily, and yourself long
+restlessly to go far away? Confess it now, Hugo, you can hardly wait
+for the day of your departure, and it is difficult enough for you to
+endure the few weeks you still have with us."
+
+"The difficulty is removed already," said Hugo, with feigned unconcern,
+"I leave tomorrow."
+
+"To-morrow?" cried Ella, half-astonished, half-alarmed. "But you
+promised, though, to remain until our departure."
+
+Captain Almbach bent low over the papers and writing materials on the
+table, as if searching for something amongst them.
+
+"Things have changed since then, and I have received news from the
+'Ellida' which calls me away at once. You know that with us sailors
+that sort of thing often happens quickly and unexpectedly. I was just
+going to tell you and Reinhold of it, and bid you farewell at the same
+time, as I must start early in the morning."
+
+He had poured it all out hastily, without looking up. Ella's eyes were
+fixed gravely and searchingly upon his face.
+
+"Hugo, that is an excuse," said she, decidedly; "you have received no
+news, at least, none so urgent. What has occurred? Why will you go?"
+
+"You interrogate me like a criminal judge," said Hugo, jokingly, with
+an attempt to regain the old cheerful tone. "Be prudent, Ella! you have
+to deal with a confirmed sinner, who will indeed confess nothing."
+
+"Yes; I see that something has happened to drive you away," said Ella,
+uneasily, "and for long I have known that something has come between us
+which estranges you from Reinhold and me more every day. Be candid,
+Hugo. What have you against us? Why will you forsake us now?"
+
+She had gone closer to him, and laid her hand upon his arm
+beseechingly, but perfectly unembarrassed. Captain Almbach's
+countenance was intensely pale, as he looked silently on the ground; at
+last he slowly raised his eyes.
+
+"Because I can bear it no longer," he broke out with sudden violence;
+"I have urged your reconciliation with Reinhold so long, and now that
+it has taken place, and I must look on at it daily, hourly--now only I
+feel how little talent I have for being a saint or for platonic
+friendship. I must go away if I do not wish to be ruined. My God, Ella,
+do not look at me as if an abyss were opened out before you! Have you
+really had no conception, then, of the state of mind I am in, and what
+these last weeks at your side have cost me?"
+
+Ella had shrunk back at these last words, her pallor and the expression
+of deadly fear in her face gave an answer, even before she opened her
+lips to reply.
+
+"No, Hugo, I had no conception of it," replied she, in a trembling
+voice. "When we first met, I felt myself obliged to repel a fleeting
+fancy. That it could ever be serious with you, I never deemed
+possible."
+
+"Nor I either," said Hugo, glumly. "At the beginning, I too, believed I
+could laugh and scoff away this feeling--scoff it away like all others;
+and now it has become earnest, such bitter earnest, that I was on the
+high road to learn to hate my brother, to loathe the whole world, until
+the latter part of my time here became a hell--perhaps it will be
+better out on the sea, perhaps not either. But go I must, the sooner
+the better."
+
+Something so wild, so passionate lay in those words, and Hugo's whole
+manner betrayed so plainly the difficulty with which he had suppressed
+his internal agony, that Ella found no courage for a harsh reply. She
+turned silently away. After a few moments Captain Almbach again came to
+her side.
+
+"Do not turn from me, Ella, as from a criminal!" said he, with
+returning gentleness. "I am going, perhaps never to return, and the
+hour of my confession is also that of my farewell. I might, indeed,
+have spared you it, should not have made your heart heavy too with what
+oppresses mine. God knows I had the honest intention of being silent,
+and bear it until I had departed; but after all, one is but mortal, and
+when you begged me to remain, and looked so kindly at me, there was an
+end of my self-control. Reinhold himself prophesied that I should some
+day meet those eyes which would put a stop to all scoffing, all
+thoughtlessness. The only misfortune was, that I must find them in his
+wife. If this were not so, I had better have bid adieu to all freedom
+and independence for these eyes' sake, have become a quiet, steady
+married man, and have denied my whole nature; but it would have been a
+pity for old Hugo Almbach after all--therefore, probably Heaven raised
+an obstacle, and said 'No.'"
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER IX.
+
+
+Captain Almbach tried in vain to speak in his old scoffing way; to-day
+it would not come to his aid. His lips quivered, and his words sounded
+like the bitterest irony. Ella saw how deeply the wound had eaten into
+the man whom in this respect she had considered invulnerable.
+
+"You should have gone long since, Hugo," said she, in gentle reproach,
+"now it is too late to spare you the pain; but if a sister's love--"
+
+"For God's sake, refrain from that," interrupted he impetuously. "Only
+none of that respect, friendship, and all the fine things with which
+ideal people console themselves in like cases, and which kill an
+ordinary man, when his throbbing heart is expected to satisfy itself
+with them. I know, indeed, that you have always looked upon me as a
+brother, that your heart has always and ever clung to Reinhold, even
+then, when he betrayed and forsook you; but I cannot bear to hear it
+now from your lips. Of course it serves me right. Why did I become
+untrue to her, my beautiful blue bride of the ocean, to whom now only I
+belong? She makes me atone for ever having thought of forsaking her for
+another, and yet it always seemed to me as if I gazed into her blue
+depths when I looked into Ella's eyes." He threw his head back with a
+half-defiant motion. "And to me those, eyes unveiled themselves first,
+then, when my brother never suspected what riches he called his own. I
+knew better than he what the woman was whom he gave up for a Biancona's
+sake, and in despite of that he bears away the prize for which I could
+have given everything. Such demon-like, artistic natures always conquer
+one of us who have nothing to oppose excepting a warm heart and ardent,
+bounteous love. Reinhold takes back what never, even for a moment,
+ceased to be his own property, and I--go; so we are all provided for."
+
+An immeasurable bitterness lay in these words, which betrayed only too
+well that his love for his brother could no longer resist a passion
+which appeared to have changed Hugo's entire nature. He made a movement
+as if to leave the room. Ella held him back.
+
+"No, Hugo, you shall not go thus," said she, firmly. "Not with this
+bitterness against Reinhold and me in your heart. Our happiness has
+already had to be rebuilt on the ruins of a stranger's life; it would
+be too dearly paid for if it were to cost us our brother also. We
+should never, never get over it if we knew you were unhappy far
+away--unhappy through us."
+
+She had raised her eyes to him beseechingly and sadly. Captain Almbach
+looked down upon the young wife with a singular mixture of anger and
+tenderness.
+
+"Do not trouble about me," replied he, with emotion, "I do not belong
+to those men who at once yield themselves up to despair because they
+must tear themselves away from that on which their whole heart now
+hangs, and if in the wrench, a piece of the heart goes too, well, he
+can bear it still as it is. I shall bear it; whether I shall overcome
+it is a different question. When Reinhold is quite recovered again,
+tell him what has driven me away from being near him and you. I do not
+wish to stand before my brother as a hypocrite, and I should have
+confessed it to him myself long since, only that I still dreaded the
+excitement for him of such an acknowledgment; he has become only much
+too irritable on every point which concerns you. Tell him that Hugo
+_could_ not stay--not one hour longer--and that he had given you his
+word not to return again until he could appear before his brother's
+wife as he ought."
+
+The hand, which was extended to her in farewell, grasped hers with a
+convulsive pressure, when the door opened, and little Reinhold rushed
+in, flying to his uncle with childish eagerness--
+
+"Uncle Hugo, you are going away?" cried he breathlessly. "Jonas has
+packed his boxes, and says you will leave to-morrow morning. Uncle
+Hugo, you shall not; you must stay with us."
+
+Captain Almbach lifted up the boy, and pressed his lips with passionate
+violence upon the child's--
+
+"Take that kiss to your mother," whispered he in a half-smothered
+voice. "She will surely dare to take it from your lips. Farewell my
+child. Farewell, Ella!"
+
+"Mamma," said little Reinhold, as he looked astonished after his
+uncle--who had put him down so hastily and then left the room--"Mamma,
+what is the matter with Uncle Hugo? He cried actually, as he kissed
+me."
+
+Ella drew the child nearer to her, and now her lips also touched the
+child's forehead, which was still damp, as if from two tears having
+fallen upon it.
+
+"It grieves your uncle to leave us," answered she, softly. "But he must
+go--God grant that he may return to us one day."
+
+                           *   *   *   *   *
+
+The course of time had altered but little in the old seaport and
+commercial town of H----. It looked just the same as ten years ago,
+when the Italian Opera Company gave its first performances there. The
+older portion of the town lay just as gloomy and full of corners, the
+newer as aristocratic and quiet as in those days. In the streets and by
+the harbour the old busy life and activity still reigned, and now, on a
+spring evening, the old damp, foggy atmosphere lay again upon the town
+and its environs.
+
+In the Erlau's house, unusual excitement prevailed. The extensive
+establishment usually conducted with such superior quiet and
+punctuality, to-day seemed to be quite out of gear. There was incessant
+running to and fro; the whole suite of rooms was thrown open and
+illuminated; the servants were in gala livery, and were called first to
+one place, and then to another with different orders. The carriage had
+been despatched more than an hour ago to the railway station, and just
+now the relative who superintended the Consul's household, an elderly
+lady, entered the drawing-room, accompanied by Dr. Welding.
+
+"I assure you, Herr Doctor, one can do nothing with my cousin,"
+complained she, as she sat down in an arm chair with a countenance
+expressive of exhaustion. "He disturbs the whole house, and drives all
+the servants into confusion with his orders and arrangements. Nothing
+is festive and brilliant enough for him. Of course I rejoice to see my
+dear Eleonore again, and to become personally acquainted with her
+celebrated husband; but the Consul has made me so nervous already with
+his excitement that I only wish the reception ceremonies were over."
+
+"But this is the first time he welcomes his adopted daughter to his
+house again," said Welding. The Doctor was barely altered in the long
+lapse of time, he merely looked a little older. It was still the same
+sharp, intelligently-cut face, the penetrating glance, and tone of
+irony peculiar to him in his voice, with which he now continued: "Herr
+Reinhold Almbach appears most decidedly to maintain the superiority of
+his influence over his wife compared with that of the Consul. You know
+he has actually managed that Erlau should always go to them in the
+'capital,' and we were not allowed, not withstanding all promises, to
+see Frau Eleonore until her husband determined to accompany her here.
+He cannot spare her for a single week it appears!"
+
+"No, certainly not," cried the lady excitedly. "You should only hear my
+cousin relate all about it; he who was at first so prejudiced against
+Reinhold, is now quite reconciled to him and Eleonore's happiness.
+Between them reigns a love so pure and clear, so firm and strong, and
+yet surrounded by such a fairy-like, poetic halo, that it almost sounds
+like a legend in our time, so wanting in happiness and love!"
+
+The Doctor inclined himself ironically. "Perfectly right, dear Madam. I
+see with pleasure what appreciative attention you bestow on my
+articles. Exactly the same sentiment appeared in No. 12 of the morning
+paper, in a review of the _libretto_ of Reinhold's newest opera."
+
+"Really? Was it in the morning paper?" asked the lady, somewhat
+confused; she seemed glad that at this moment the Consul entered the
+room, who, without perceiving the Doctor, in his joyous excitement
+hastened towards her at once.
+
+"My dear cousin, I have been seeking for you everywhere. The carriage
+may return from the station any moment, and we had agreed to receive
+the dear guests together. Has the red boudoir been sufficiently
+lighted, as I ordered? Is Henry downstairs in the vestibule with the
+other servants? Have you--"
+
+"Cousin, you make me nervous with your incessant inquiries," cried the
+lady, in a rather irritated tone. "Is it then, the first time you have
+confided the arrangements of an entertainment to me? I have twice
+already assured you that everything is ordered according to your
+wishes."
+
+"That is not enough for to-day," said Welding, joining in the
+conversation. "This time the Consul himself undertakes the part of
+master of the ceremonies, and inspects the whole house, from garret to
+cellar. Woe to him who does not appear before him in gala dress!"
+
+"Scoff away!" laughed the Consul, "I shall not let it spoil the
+pleasure of the meeting, and indeed, I am quite reconciled to you, Herr
+Doctor, since you introduced such a hymn of praise about Reinhold's
+last work in your morning paper."
+
+"Excuse me, I write no hymns of praise," said the Doctor, somewhat
+piqued. "On the contrary, I often experience that my criticisms are
+favoured with much less flattering names by the artists. Lately,
+our great dramatic and heroic tenor, who, as you know, retains his
+high-tragic, stage pathos even in real life, called my verdict on one
+of his principal parts 'the outflow of the blackest malice, which the
+black soul of man had ever produced!' What do you say to that?"
+
+"Well, Reinhold, too, had to endure plenty from your pen," suggested
+Erlau. "Fortunately, he did not see our morning paper in Italy in those
+days, otherwise he would have had to read very unpleasant things about
+the lamentable direction of an undeniably great talent; of unpardonable
+wastefulness of the most precious gifts; of the mistakes of a genius,
+which, capable of the highest, yet was on the road to ruin himself and
+art; and many more such civilities."
+
+"With which you were quite unanimous at the time," added Welding.
+"Certainly, I was an open opponent of Reinhold's. Unconditionally, as I
+ever recognised his great talents, much as I encouraged him in his
+first artistic attempts, I decidedly objected to the line he struck out
+later in Italy. Now it has become quite different. His latest work
+shows an alteration for which one can only wish him and art success. He
+has forced himself through wild fermentation to perfect freedom and
+clearness of artistic composition. His genius seems to have found the
+right course at last; this work stands thoroughly at the height of his
+talent."
+
+"Naturally--and that is alone Eleonore's merit," said Erlau, with
+unshaken confidence, while his cousin listened very devoutly to the
+Doctor's words.
+
+"Does Frau Almbach help her husband to compose?" asked Welding,
+maliciously.
+
+"Leave your malice alone, Herr Doctor! You know quite well what I
+mean," cried the Consul, annoyed. "Now Henry, what is it?" asked he,
+turning to the servant who entered quickly, and announced that the
+carriage was arriving.
+
+"Cousin! for mercy's sake go slower! All the servants are in the hall,"
+cried the old lady, who had prepared to receive the arrivals solemnly
+and with dignity, and was now dragged forward so hastily by the Consul,
+who seized her arm, that the magnificence of her train could not be
+displayed to advantage. Erlau did not listen to her protestations, she
+was obliged to rush to the stairs with him. Dr. Welding, who had come
+by chance, without knowing the hour of the arrival, considered himself
+entitled, as friend of the house, to witness the family scene. He
+therefore remained in the drawing-room while the first speeches of
+reception and welcome were made outside. With great tenderness the
+Consul greeted his adopted daughter and little Reinhold, who, in
+fullest joy, hung on his neck. His cousin, on the contrary, seemed to
+have taken forcible possession of the bigger Reinhold, whom she
+conducted into the drawing-room amid a stream of compliments, while the
+others lingered in the first rooms.
+
+"I rejoice exceedingly to make the acquaintance of my dear Eleonore's
+husband, whom I may surely greet as a relation as well as the renowned
+Rinaldo," assured she, while still in the doorway. "And all H---- will
+be proud once again to see its distinguished townsman within its walls.
+Herr Almbach, we can only wish you and art success in your newest work;
+it stands thoroughly at the height of your talent. Your genius has at
+last--yes, at last--"
+
+"Discovered the right course," suggested Dr. Welding, most amicably, as
+he stood near.
+
+"Discovered the right course," continued the lady, freshly inspired.
+"You have forced your way through wild fermentation to most perfect
+freedom, and to higher spheres."
+
+"Not quite true to the words, but it will do," murmured Welding to
+himself, while Reinhold, somewhat taken aback at this shower-bath of
+aesthetic form of speech, bowed to the lady. Fortunately, the latter now
+saw Ella enter on the Consul's arm, and hastened to embrace her and her
+boy, while the Doctor went towards Reinhold.
+
+"May an old acquaintance recall himself to your recollection, Herr
+Almbach? I am not quite so bold as to receive you at once with
+criticising praise such as you have just experienced, but I do not
+welcome you the less warmly in your home."
+
+"Aunt means it kindly," said Reinhold, half making an excuse for her.
+"It was rather astounding for me at first----" he stopped.
+
+"To be received with one of my reviews," added the Doctor. "Oh, your
+aunt often does me the honour of reproducing my articles, although
+certainly sometimes on rather unsuitable occasions and with her own
+variations, for which I do not undertake the responsibility; for
+instance, with the 'higher spheres' I have usually nothing to do."
+
+Reinhold smiled. "Time has left no marks upon you, Doctor; you still
+preserve your old _role_. Every third word you utter, is one of
+sarcasm."
+
+"Pretty well," said "Welding, shrugging his shoulders, and turning to
+Ella, who greeted the old friend heartily as she stretched out her hand
+to him.
+
+"Well, how do you find our Eleonore?" cried the Consul, triumphantly.
+"Does she not bloom like a rose? And the 'little one' has become so big
+that we must soon seek another designation for him."
+
+Dr. Welding smiled, and this time, as an exception, without any
+maliciousness, while he replied, "Frau Eleonore has remained just like
+herself. That is the best compliment which one can pay her. Certainly,
+dear madam, I am not the last who will rejoice at this meeting, and
+also that the Erlau drawing-rooms, at any rate for the next few weeks,
+will stand again under your sceptre. Between ourselves," he lowered his
+voice, "it becomes sometimes rather serious when your aunt takes the
+lead in conversations on art."
+
+The excitement and pleasure of meeting had made the arrivals only
+retire to rest very late. The morning sun was shining clearly and
+brightly in at the windows, when Ella entered the apartment which had
+been her sitting and work-room during her residence in the Erlau's
+house. It still displayed all the former costly furniture with which
+Erlau had surrounded his favourite. Reinhold was there already; he
+stood at the window, and looked down upon the streets of his native
+town, which he now visited for the first time after nearly ten years'
+absence. It was no longer the young composer who, in obstinate struggle
+with his surroundings and family, destroyed his fetters as well as his
+duties, so as to throw himself into a course which promised him fame
+and love, and which attained both by force; but neither was it the
+Rinaldo, whose wild, social life in Italy, had so often challenged the
+world's condemnation, which appeared to know no other bridle, no other
+law than his own personal will, and to whom the admiration on the part
+of the public and all around him, threatened to become so ruinous.
+There lay nothing more in his manner of haughty overbearing or wounding
+brusqueness, only that quiet self-consciousness was displayed, which
+showed to the advantage of the man as well as of the composer. In his
+eye still flashed some of the old passion, which had formed Rinaldo's
+peculiar element in life as in his works; but the wild, unsteady flame
+which once burned in this glance was extinguished, and what now beamed
+there was better suited to the quiet, rather sombre expression of his
+features. Whatever a wild, surging life might have buried in this
+countenance, it spoke now only of what it had conquered; and the
+dreamy, thoughtful gaze which at this moment was seeking the gable of
+the old house in Canal Street, where it arose plainly from amidst the
+confusion of houses, was quite that of the former Reinhold--of that
+Reinhold who, in the small, narrow garden-house, had sat so often
+before his piano, and called forth those tones which then might only be
+raised in the night if he did not wish to be upbraided for the "useless
+phantasies" which the world now called the outpourings of his genius.
+
+Ella drew near her husband. Her appearance, indeed, justified the
+Consul's declaration, she bloomed like a rose. The last three years had
+robbed this charming figure of none of its grace, but instead had given
+her an expression of happiness in which she had once been wanting.
+
+"Have you received letters so early?" asked she, pointing to two open
+writings which lay on the table.
+
+Reinhold smiled--
+
+"Of course! They were sent after us from the residence, and the sender
+of this letter," he lifted up the one, "you will not guess, I am sure.
+My newest work has brought in one thing at any rate, which is more
+precious to me than all the ovations with which we have been
+overwhelmed--a letter from Cesario. You know how deeply hurt he
+withdrew from us and rendered impossible every attempt on my part at
+approaching him or being reconciled. He could not forgive you for
+having so long been silent towards him, nor me, that I stood in the way
+of his happiness; I have had no sign of his being alive for three
+years, as you know. The first performance of my opera in Italy has
+broken the ice at last; he writes again with the old cordiality and
+enthusiasm, congratulates me upon my new work, which he exalts far
+above its deserts, and announces at the same time his intended marriage
+with the daughter of Princess Orvieto. She will be his wife in a few
+weeks."
+
+Ella had stepped to her husband's side, and over his shoulder read the
+letter which he held in his hand, and in which there was not a single
+word of allusion to her.
+
+"Do you know the bride?" asked she at last.
+
+"Only a little! I saw her once only in her father's house, and merely
+remember her as a pretty lively child. She was educated in a convent,
+and then was paying a short visit in her parents' house. But I know
+that this union, even in those days, was a favourite wish of the
+families on both sides, to which Cesario's dislike to every bond which
+could fetter his future, as to any marriage in fact, was the only
+obstacle. Now, when years have passed, and the young Princess is grown
+up, they appear to have resumed the plan again, and Cesario has given
+way to his relations' pressure. Whether this _marriage de convenance_
+can give what such an ardent romantic nature as his is requires, is
+certainly another question."
+
+Ella looked thoughtfully on the ground--
+
+"You said though, that the bride is young and pretty, and Cesario is
+surely the man to inspire love in such a youthful creature, who is just
+entering life from a convent's education."
+
+"We will hope so," said Reinhold gravely. "The second letter is from
+Hugo, and dated from----"
+
+A slight blush passed over the young wife's countenance, as she asked
+with lively eagerness--
+
+"Well, is he coming at last? May we expect him?"
+
+Reinhold shook his head gently--
+
+"No Ella, our Hugo will not come this time either; we must resign
+ourselves not to see him. Here, read it yourself!"
+
+He handed her the somewhat bulky letter. The first page contained mere
+descriptions of voyages, which were sketched quite in the Captain's
+lively manner, sparkling with fun and humour; only just at the end were
+personal affairs touched upon.
+
+"I have employed my stay in S----" wrote Hugo, "to pay a visit to
+Jonas, who has been settled here over a year with his Annunziata. You
+have fitted out the little one so richly, that they have made quite a
+pretty hotel out of the modest inn they intended to set up, and are
+going on very well indeed. The young woman has learned German at last,
+and is altogether a very charming hostess, but Jonas I have had to take
+regularly to task; it really is appalling how that tiny creature,
+Annunziata, governs this bear of a sailor, according to all the rules
+of art. I have spoken seriously to him; reminded him of his manly
+dignity, prophesied that he will come hopelessly under petticoat
+government, if it continue thus--what did the wretch answer me? 'Yes,
+Herr Captain, but one is so inhumanly happy with it!' So of course
+nothing remained but to leave him to his inhuman happiness and
+petticoat _regime_.
+
+"One more piece of news I have for you, Ella. Yesterday, by chance, I
+took up an Italian newspaper in which I met with the announcement that
+a union between the houses of Tortoni and Orvieto was impending.
+Marchese Cesario will shortly be married to the only daughter of the
+Princess. You see that even an idealist does not die of an unhappy love
+now-a-days; instead, he consoles himself after a year or more with a
+young and probably beautiful woman of princely blood. Only the
+thoughtless one, the adventurer, cannot recover from having looked too
+deeply into a pair of blue eyes. I cannot come, Reinhold, not yet! You
+know the word which I passed to your wife; it still banishes me from
+your threshold. Heaven knows how long I must wander about on the sea
+without seeing you again; but if the recollections do not still weigh
+my heart down as at the beginning, yet they will not leave me. My
+'Ellida,' lies in the harbour ready to sail once more, and to-morrow
+she will fly out afar again with her captain. So farewell, Reinhold!
+Kiss your boy in my name! To Ella I shall surely dare send a greeting,
+as you will give it to her? Perhaps we shall see each other again."
+
+Ella folded the letter up and put it down silently--
+
+"I hoped still that he would return to us this time, at least," said
+she at last--her voice sounded sad.
+
+"I did not expect it," replied Reinhold gravely, "as I know Hugo. Much
+in his character seems to glide off lightly and without traces, and
+perhaps really glides off, but once he has grasped anything with his
+whole soul, then he will not let it go for all his life. He preserves
+his love more truly and better than--I did."
+
+"Did you love me then, when I was entrusted to you?" asked Ella, with
+gentle reproach. "Could you love the woman who did not understand you
+nor herself in those days? We had to be separated first in order to
+recover one another entirely and completely, and nothing would remind
+me of our separation if I did not see that shadow on your brow, ever
+and again, which reawakens the one recollection."
+
+Reinhold passed his hand over his forehead--
+
+"You mean Beatrice's death? I know, indeed, that she prepared her fate
+with her own hand, and yet I cannot always silence the voice which
+accuses me of complicity in the sin of forsaking her, of driving her to
+despair, to madness; she wished to strike us a crushing blow, and
+struck herself."
+
+"And from the waves, which gave her her death, you rescued for me and
+yourself the highest, our child and our love," said his wife softly.
+"See, there comes our Reinhold. Will you show the child this heavily
+clouded brow?"
+
+Little Reinhold put his head in at the door, and when he saw his
+parents in the room sprang completely inside, so rosy and fresh, so
+full of life and fun, that the father's gloom and the mother's
+seriousness could not resist his coaxing and romping. Ella kissed her
+boy's forehead tenderly, while Reinhold drew her and the child to
+himself. They had held him very indissolubly, these fetters, which
+once, in youthful infatuation, he had burst and broken, until he learnt
+to feel yonder in the life so ardently longed for, amidst all the
+dreamed-of treasures, that he had left the best at home; until the
+longing for the past awoke, and forced its way powerfully and
+irresistibly; until he could obtain once more, fighting through sin and
+the horrors of death, that which he himself had thrust from him--his
+wife and child; and in the gaze with which he now looked down upon both
+there stood written plainly and clearly the confession which his lips
+did not speak--that the happiness, so long and restlessly sought for,
+and ever denied him, was found again here at last.
+
+
+
+                                THE END.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Riven Bonds.  Vol. II., by E. Werner
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RIVEN BONDS.  VOL. II. ***
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