The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-08-12

|
ing hm{sSSust as he reached the end of hi
walk, and was about to enter the house,
struck him that some one was going step bl
step up the stairs Shall be watched and fol
lowed by spies thought Baler with palpta
ting heart, but ventured not to look about
Nevertheless when on the point of pulling tht
bell, he felt his motion suddenly checked his
hand as it were in an iron cramp, and firm
well. known voice asked
ITO whom are you going, Count Sternhof7'
at is your Hghness!"
ayes. it is | who demand an answer to my
question"
"And do not wish to give it,"
g shall know how to make you
with what right!'
with the right that | claim as defender
and guardian Of the innocent Do not deny
that you come to this house from unworthy
motives, most likely under this mask to become
acquainted with the object who has been so
fortunate or unfortunate Us to attract the at
euton OF society
Baler thanked the Prince for the lash given
him, and quickly laid hold of it to keep him.
self out OF the embarrassment of the moment
He had rather be accounted light and adven-
tuous than tell the truth here And if it were
~, "Nhtu ht' Vbuiu NuuI tlShittSS WISH W
hinder me! The parsons daughter is betroth-
ed to another, and think myself bound to give
HIM alone an account of my proceedings
=" But Adrian is absent" cried Hyppolth,
and watch the door till he returns No
man shall see her, swear
Baler extremely offended, coldly said: "And
| if should be expected, and insist on my pur-
pose, how can you prevent the accomplishment
| of it,
Hyppolith, overpowered by the thought that
Baler told the truth, and was really expected
where entrance was denied to others, cried in
a rage, I" | could kill you!'
AT this moment was heard piercing shrek
behind the locked door Baler knew his moth
ers voice, who had been the secret witness OF
the affair and the thought of him being ex-
posed on her account to an apparent mailman
must have given her deadly fright
1t is enough" said Baler "you hear thai
our conversation has been overheard Give m,
free passage
Il let you in?' Numbered Hyppolth
"Never Adrian's honor is mine. Expected OF
not expected you dare not go through thi,
door. And if | am not to despise you as
coward answer me on the spot, with what
view have you come to this house - SO saying
Hyppolith drew from his pocket pair OF pts.
tolls
IL am prepared for any satisfaction said
Baler still more coolly, "but not here Would
you completely blast the reputation of one
whose guardian you usurp to be?n
Completely blast" cried HyppoIith; " then
people have already dared to touch this lilyF
You yourself were so daring
Hyppolth could no longer control his rage
| :, sir In do do
mands blood Wait n moment, so"-
Enough of trick said Baler come on
While the two men, who had rashly ascend
ed the steps descended them with quite differen
feelings, to enact bloody scene by next morn
ing's twilight, Mrs Muller lay lamcnting il
Lucie's arms The unhappy mother, who knew
door and arms 10 him, was the paisied witnes,
of the appalling dialogue. Hyppolith, whom
she loved as son. she knew would be in
duel with Baler who consequently was in i'm
mnent danger. :" could kill you! more
she had not heard-was too much it broke
her heart Lucie heard the shrek of the dealt
: smitten. and hasted to her She saw tn
mother wringng her hands, heard Hyppoth'
voice, and her thoughts bewildered her He
beloved thirsted for the blood of n man-thi
she perceived distinctly and that he went hin
self to meet death Voices and steps ceased t
; be heard What could be done
! Luce kneeled in prayer and suddenly til
; bell was violently pulled
"Who is therei' asked Luce, trembling
at is l. " answered the voice of Adrian.
IN ESCHEN
Count Eishelm, in company with the youn,
painter, while almost silent thought little abou
the road Both were too much engaged will
certain thoughts to desire participation. Ed
mund recalled the conversation and occurren
ces of the past day. and had not power to effect
an armistice Of the contending forces within
him. In respect to him, Scraphine was perhap,
as to others, like some play actress, who per
sonates the serene in II mastery manner. II,
knew not which to admire most and which
was precisely akin to her individuality The
more charming he found her the more trans
porting to II painters eye her bewtching
beauty, so much the more he doubted concern
ing her character But the uncertainty of how
he was esteemed by her; the scanty crumbs OF
hope that fell from her table for him the small
fare, not competent to satisfy his hunger, drove
| the bcggar still further from her door. And
he regretted having, in an almost exhausted
and exasperated condition, obeyed the summons
of the Countess.
| The young man was readily aroused from
| his reverics by the Count but he also required
much quiet and mature reflection. He had led
| Erika into the world: she was received i'm So
cety with compIaisancc; could even boast Of
some conquests, but still maintained cool in
difference undisturbcd by distinction, unmoyed
by illusions Of feeling There was no doubt
that Count Sternhoi addressed her with earnest
| views bat that sho treated him with reserve
| Was this natural avcrsiOn--a want OF feel
ing--codness of heart; or was the ground Of
| her nsensibility to be sought for more deeply Z
Lives there perhaps already an object of wor-
ship in her heart which would suffer none be-
| sides him, and she has not ventured to show
his picture to her father whose dissatisfaction
she fears Could she really have made choice
Of one who doubted her judgment Impossible
But Erika was OF late no strangely affected
Something must occupy her seriously. He re
GREETED having left her behind; and, though
convinced that she never could act without q
reason, he asked himself if he would have the
courage to disturb her feelings, and il il were
IN his power, TO oyerturn his daughter deter
minaton when once fixed. On this point he
believed her to be firm as q rock Never would
she for within incur her fathers dissatislac.
ton; but neither would she ever sacrifice O
genuine feeling to his caprice In how far he
was now prepared to yield, this was point in
which he was not yet united with her and
laying aside all con lectures, trusting 10 the fu
tire prudence Of Erlka, he directed his thoughts
10 other objects. But even the sight of Eschen
could not please him there awaited him there
great disorders and destruction and in a sor
rowiu state Of mind, that had so different a
source for both travellers they arrived at the
palace.
Frederic led the painter into the most pleas
ant guest. chamber where fire was soon kin
died, and everything most conveniently ar
L Lilo Iunralu OH Iii.