Surely I heard his well-known signal. Hist, who's there?
Tis I, Rodolphe!
Rodolphe! Hush speak low, if my foster
mother still sleeps, I will join you.
Rodolphe!
My own!
When did you return?
'Twas past midnight: although wearied and footsore I could not sleep until I had seen you.
Oh, how wearily the days and nights have passed since you left me! What kept you so long?
Ill fortune, Amina. After reaching Gottingen and finding no purchaser for my picture I heard that there was a wealthy traveller at Cassel, collecting works of art. I had but four silver florins in my pocket yet I hopefully set out to meet him. After journeying five whole days I arrived at Cassel only to find that the traveller had departed two days before.
And your beautiful picture -- upon which so much of our future was built -- you have brought it back?
No. Crushed in my last hope to obtain the means necessary to our union I left it with a remorseless agent for a pittance barely sufficient for subsistence during my journey homeward, and here I am without a single guilder in my pocket! And what is worse if I fail to redeem my pledge at the end of two months it is lost to me forever.
Fear to tell me! Speak, what has happened?
Be calm and listen. Last week I attended the festival of St. John, in company with the other members of the village choir. Upon raising my eyes after we had finished the anthem I found a dark, strange man gazing upon me. A moment after he quitted the spot I enquired who he was and learned that it was the Count Wolfenstein, the all powerful lord of this wide domain.
Well.
Although I met his gaze but for a moment,
I felt that it boded evil to me--to
Evil! Evil to
Yes, evil, Rodolphe, nor were my fears idle, the next day brought him here to our humble abode--he told my foster- mother that he loved me.
Yes, and that we should no longer dwell in obscurity--that we should be removed to the castle--that masters should be provided for my suitable education, and in a year I should take the place of the late Countess of Wolfenstein.
And dame Barbara?----
Joyfully consented. This very day is set apart for our removal. The escort will be here at sunrise.
And you, Amina, You?---
I supplicated, wept, remonstrated, but you know, dear Rodolphe, I am powerless.
Hush, be calm, dear Rodolphe.
I say you shall not! Were he twenty times more potent I would oppose his power to the last.
Eh, what, varlet, hussey, only wait till
I get down!
But mother --
Not a word-- how dare you? In with you,
into the house, I say!
And yet you see I've escaped both. Hark ye, dame. I love Amina, she loves me, you yourself promised that she should be mine as soon as I could command a hundred silver crowns.
Pah, that was before I knew her value, but
now that I
My picture is not yet sold.
Ha, ha! Didn't I say so, not yet sold eh? Here's a pretty fellow, that would take a young girl from her comfortable home, a good bed, sweet milk and egg-pudding, to lodge her on pea-straw, and feed her at best on black bread and sour cheese. Oh, was there ever such villainy?
Nay, but listen to me.
Not a word; begone, do you think people of
quality have nothing to do but listen to
beggars complaints, and above all at such
a time as this? Begone, I say, this is
to be a festival day, the maidens of the
village will be here anon; the grand escort
will be here, headed by the Count's chamberlain,
Aye, and his Lordship the Count
himself will be here, to bear the Countess
that
Yes, but not earlier than the sun, for see, it is already peeping over the great toe of the Brocken. But where's Amina?
Bless me, how grand Dame Barbara has grown, to be sure. If she goes on at this rate the wide halls of the grand old Castle of Wolfenstein will be a world too small to hold her. I hope this piece of good fortune will not make such a fool of dear 'Mina
I don't understand this, I thought 'Mina was bethrothed to the handsome young painter Rodolphe, what ever could have become of him?
Oh, 'tis said he has gone for a soldier-- But come, while 'Mina is making ready let us rehearse our Festival Dance.
There! Having completed her ladyships
toilet I have attended to my own, and,
if I know anything about dress, I flatter
myself that my appearance would do
honor to any occasion.
Mercy on us, was there
ever such a fright! Why she looks for
all the world like a great horned owl
dressed up in the cast-off finery of
a peacock. Ha, ha, ha, Did you ever?
Observe me tickle the old buzzard.
Why you've almost taken away my breath. I declare, Dame, you're looking gorgeous--so young and girlish too. Indeed, if I were 'Mina--I beg pardon I mean her ladyship, I wouldn't care to have you in the way when his lordship, the Count, arrives.
And why not, pray?
Because I should consider you a dangerous rival.
Nonesense, girl, you don't think so?
Indeed, Dame Barbara, I was never more
serious in my life.
It's strange I never noticed it before, but
that girl Carline's a very sensible person.
What a courtly gentleman!
What an imposing female!
I come, Madam, by the Count's order to announce that the cavalcade has arrived and is now resting on the plateau, beyond the ravine. His lordship will be here presently and in person conduct your fair foster daughter to her palfrey, that waits without, impatient for the honor to be mounted by her.
That shall be my privilege
That is I have charged myself with the especial honor of being your escort.
He comes! Room there for his lordship.
Salutation to the good dame Barbara.
And how fares your lovely charge?
Well, may it please your lordship, quite
well, a little nervous from over-anxiety to
see your lordship, but that is quite natural
with us poor silly things. I suffered
Is quite ready and dying to see you--I will present her to your lordship at once.
Allow
Rodolphe!
My lord Count Wolfenstein, permit me, Rodolphe Werner, a poor artist, to present to you Amina, foster-daughter to dame Barbara, a free maiden of the valley and my affianced bride.
Who is this madman?
N-n-n-n-n-n-nobody, your Lordship, that is
a poor, weak simpleton who imagines he
is betrothed to every girl in the village.
As your lordship
A madman! Mercy on us, we shall all be murdered. Seize him, secure him, somebody, everybody.
Release him,
Begone, Sirrah!
Come, Rodolphe, come with me.
'Tis he, the lover. He braves me, too.
Wulgar!
Track younder knave, take Bruno with you. Seize him, but let no eye see you, Place him in the secret vault beneath the eastern wing. Once there--you know the rest.
Stay, not now, it will be noted. When the procession moves then steal away by the upper path
So, we've reached the pass a good five minutes before him.
But if he should cross the bridge?
Aye,
Deeper, let me plunge, deeper still into the heart of the mountains: the light of the sun falls like molten lead on my aching eyeballs. My heart's on fire, my brain is in a whirl, I strive to think, but thought becomes a chaos, Am I awake or is this some horrible dream? Water, water, my throat is flaming. Ha, yonder's a rill trickling from the rock.
Quick, quick, the cord, the cord: he has the strength of a lion.
So, away, away!
Vain, vain, some subtile spell is hovering in the air that mocks my power and makes the charms that once were potent a jabbering idle sound. And shall I yield to this Invisible? I, Hertzog, the Crook, whom men call sorcerer. I, at whose name the strong man trembles and the weak grows faint. I whose life of long, laborious years hath well nigh run its course, gleaning dark knowledge in forbidden paths, shall I now seek the light? My eyes are old and dim and could not brave the glare. No, no, I'll work new mines--new mines, and plumb the depths of darker mysteries still.
Come hither, varlet.
Yes, master.
What, drone, sluggard, snoring again?
N-n-n-no good master, no.
Out, lying knave; Did I not hear thee snore?
Snore? Aye, granted, but 'twas in
Bah! shuffling loon, thy drowsing comes of overfeeding.
What, rogue, dost grumble?
No, good master, no.
Ha, the night grows foul. 'Tis all the better,
Bring me my cloak and staff
So, now thine own.
My cloak: I have none, Master.
Thy cap.
Mine?
Thine.
Oh, Lord, what a night,
Bring with thee yonder brazen casket.
Th-the-the brazen casket?
Aye, echoing fool!
To the Serpents' Glen.
Silence, and follow.
No, master, no, my spirit's willing, but my legs are weak.
Wretch, did I not snatch thee drowning from the whirling gulf, bind thy torn limbs with rare medicaments and stanch the current of thy ebbing life that fast was running out?
You did, good master, you did.
Begone!
Bless me, what a night to welcome her ladyship that is to be
to her new home. I declare the old castele trembles and
shakes like a great ship at sea.
Silence, fool. Set down the casket.
I will.
Knave.
Master.
Bring hither full.
I obey.
Whither go now, varlet?
For fuel, master. This around us is wet with the storm and
will not burn. As we came along I noted beneath the shelter
of a carg, hard by, many dry faggots. I will fetch them.
Come back.
But, master--
Dolt, obey me.
I'm gone.
'Tis well. Feed yonder flame.
A flame! How came we by a flame? I'll swear I brought no tinder-box. More brimstone, I suppose. Oh Lord, oh Lord!
Fool, do as I command.
I fly.
So. Pluck me an inner leaf from yonder adder plant.
I knew it. Vegetable broth.
Ha!
Most willingly.
Not there.
Did'st hear me?
I vanish
Skuldawelp, familiar, slave of my power, I invoke thee.
Your will.
Break the malignant spells that thwart and mock me. Bind fast my hidden enemies. Restore to me my lost power.
I cannot. An adverse spell has crossed me. My power is spent. All that was mine is thine. Zamiel alone can serve thee.
Zamiel!--dismiss me.
Arise!
My life is waining. Give me to live, feed the still currents of my sluggish veins, give me fresh charms and potencies.
Wherefore?
Men hate and did they not fear--would despise me. I would repay their hate with hate. I would live on, on, and in that life rival thy dread power of evil.
What wilt thou give for such a boon?
Whate'er thou wilt; give me but life and all I have is thine.
'tis not enough. What's thine is mine already.
What else?
Listen. A soul younger, fresher, whiter than thine, must on each recurring year be, by your arts, turned to my account.
I hear, dread master, and will pay the price.
For every soul thus lost to good and gained to me a year's new life is thine. A single soul, a single year, a hundred souls, a hundred years. 'Tis with thyself to live forever.
Forever?
Forever! But should the stroke of midnight fall a twelve-month hence and no lost soul, by you betrayed within that time, come wailing at my gates-- perdition closes on your dark career. Is't a compact?
It is.
'Tis well. Listen, slave. Within a dungeon of the eastern wing of gray and gloomy Wolfenstein there lies in chains a youth called Rodolphe. His fortunes desperate, and desperate souls, like drowning men, wil catch at straws. Begin with him.
Dread power, I hear thy mandate and thy will obey.
Master, I--
There my fine fellow. I think you're both safe and comfortable. No entreaties; neither light nor sound ever comes here.
Wretch.
When you want exercise or change of air and you can manage
to get out of yonder little incumbrances-
Monster, begone.
(Taking up lamp) Oh certainly, anything to oblige. In the meantime, if your exercise should give you an appetite and you should want food, cry out for it. Cry loud and I won't come. Ha, ha ha. Goodnight.
Alone. So ends in darkness and in death all my bright dreams
of the future and must I perish thus--I who have but entered
the portal of life? No, no, it cannot be! I must, I will
burst these bonds.
Thy friend.
Who are you?
(Turning light upon himself)
Behold!
Aye, so men call me.
Ill-omened bird, what brings
Out, foolish boy. I serve no human master.
Then why are you here?
I come to give thee liberty.
Liberty!
Aye. Listen. I hate thine enemy. Thou lov'st a maid of whom thou hast been robbed; would'st win her back? I have the power to serve thee.
Begone, tempter. I know your power and can gues sfrom whence it comes. Men say you deal in dark and necromantic spells that warp the senses and enthrall the soul.
Pah! Art thou, too, tainted with the vulgar fear that calls
philosophy-the natural working of great Nature's laws- a spell
of darkness? It is the light, weak boy, the light, which we
sage men, who waste our lives oe'r midnight lamps, glean from
dull vapors for the sluggards' use. Fools sneer the most
when least they understand and brand as foul what Nature stamps
as fair. Thy gains gall theee, let me loose them.
Again I say to serve thee.
How?
Listen, I will tell thee a seceret. She whom thou lovest is of noble birth.
Amina?
Aye, yet not Amina, but the only child and heiress of the noble house of Wellenstein, stolen when but an infant by a revengeful gypsy whom her father scourged and given to gabbling Barbara.
Amina noble?
Aye, and thou of humble birth, but gold can buy nobility-- nay more, can give thee power to cross thine enemy.
Why talk to me of gold-to me, the poorest of the poor, whose purse contains not half so much as one poor silver mark.
Thou'rt poor indeed, but thou art poor because thou
How?
Hast thou not heard of glittering gold in massive piles fast locked within these mountains?
An idle tale, a senseless fable told by croning gossips. A treasure often sought but never found and some do say 'tis death to seek it.
I tell thee, boy, the story's true, this gold is palpable to sight and touch, and mayt be garnered too, if thou art bold enough.
I'll hear no more! Thou'dst take advantage of my desperate strait to work some juggle to entrap my soul. Begone I say, begone!
And leave thee to thy doom?
Aye.
And thy affianced bride--would'st thou so like a graven yield her up onto thine enemy?
Oh, agony!
'tis true she loves thee, but bethink thee, boy, she is but woman and she may be won. Her noble birth is known to Wolfenstein who means to wed her, and with her fortune to prop his falling house. Already flattered by his serpent tounge, she dries her tears and listens to his suit.
'Tis false!
'Tis true!
The proof?
Behold.
Pah! I ask no compact. I would serve thee gratis. I but
demand that thou shalt serve thyself. Be rich and thou'lt be
powerful. In thy revenge upon thine enemy and
Where lies this wondrous treasure?
Listen. Amid the fastnesses of the Hartz beyond the outlet of the Black Gorge lies a small lake whose waters few have ever gazen upon, for vulgare fear and superstitious dread have long since marked it for enchanted ground.
I've heard the story.
Trace carefully its northern shore until a rock rising like
a wall bars further passage beneath a fringe of tangled vines
you'll find a boat concealed. Behold this talisman ring!
Give me the ring.
'Tis thine.
Your will, Master?
To part with three.
With thee, knave.
Wherefore?
I weary with thine appetite.
I am resolved. Behold thy future master.
Pah, you trifle time.
Farewell. Come, boy, come.
Don't talk to me, girl. Remember your station and consider mine. Who Am I and what am I that I should be lodged in a wing of the castle overlooking the dog kennels.
Your ladyship is quite right to revel and when I advised your ladyship to calm yourself it was out of consideration for your ladyship's eyes. Any little flurry does so spoil the natural beauty of their expression.
Carline, you're a good girl, you're a considerate girl and I forgive you, but eyes or no eyes, I'll not be imposed upon. Where's Mynheer Von Puffengruntz? Where's his lordship's chamberlain?
Eh, what! Madam Barbara, stirring so early! Why, bless my soul, the mist of the mountain is yet hanging upon the turrets of the castle.
Then let it hang and be hanged to it. Stirring indeed! Haven't I been stirring all night and wouldn't the seven sleepers have been stirring all night too, if they had lodged where I did?
Surely nothing has had the audacity to disturb the quiet of your chamber?
Nothing? To begin with, do you call such a storm as that of
last night nothing? Why the thunder creashed over the castle
loud enough to wake the dead. That was bad enough, but only
to think that I, the right honorable foster mother that
A dog-kennel?
Aye, a kennel of great, savage hounds, fed late at night on raw meat on purpose to give them the nightmare and make them dream all night long of chasing wild boars in the forest. Ugh! I shall never get their terrible yelping out of my head.
Believe me, my dear Madam Barbara, it is the first time the brutes ever were known to have been unruly. I promise that they shall be soundly punished and instantly removed. But I too am criminal. The apartments were selected by me because they command the best view of the mountains.
But I don't want to look at the mountains. I got a glimpse of it from one of the north windows last night during th e storm and it looked for all the world like Beelzebub and his imps were holding a jubileee there.
Enough, my dear Madam Barbara, enough. If the mountain is
unpleasant, it shall be removed. No, no! I mean
Would it be prudent? Dare I trust myself? We poor silly
things are so weak and you mean so naughty that--that--
Confiding innocence, rely upon the honor of a Von Puffengruntz.
A strange weird place and one it seems not often tred by human footsteps. I fear we've missed the way. What think you, Master Greppo?
Aye.
Why since you honor me with consultation and give me leave to think at all- a privilege grown rusty from great lack of use- I say we're right and that the lake we seek is near at hand.
Why think you so?
Because just now I heard a bittern cry and twice ere that I heard a marsh-frog croak, and as they're both accounted water-fowl, 'twere safe to say that we're near the water.
Then ley us on.
I follow
Awake, awake!
Behold there's blood upon the face of the moon. Our queen's in danger. To arms! To arms!
Stay, 'tis past. Hark.
'Tis she, our queen.
Arise, my loving subjects.
Mistress, but now the light in yon great sapphire died out and stains of blood flushed in the face of the pale moon. You have scaped some deadly peril.
You are right. Listen all. Tonight while wandering in the fastnesses of the Hartz without my protecting talisman, I heedlessly trod within one of the charmed circles of our enemy, the arch fiend Zamiel.
Ha!
On the instant I was transformed into a white dove with shorn pinions. From beneath the rank leaves of an adder-plant glided a huge serpent. Its eyes were burning coals, its tongue a living flame. I was paralyzed with fear and powerless to move. Nearer and nearer it came. I felt its stifling breath displace the purer air. I saw its venomed fangs glist'ning in the pale moonlight. Rising from out its deadly coil itself, when suddenly a youth, a mortal, strangely present in that wildwood spot, seeing the danger of the trembling bird seized a dead bough, which chance had fashioned like a holy cross, and smote the foul thing dead. Then bore me safely from the charmed spot and gave me life and liberty.
Revenge, revenge on the minions of Zamiel.
Revenge, revenge!
Nay, let no thought other than of joy mingle with this happy time. Remember, 'tis my natal hour, and I would have it, as in the past, a festal one. Let the invisible harmonies of this our realm breathe sweetest concord only. And you, bright Crystalline, with your four sisters, chase with flying feet the silver hours.
Speak, what danger threatens?
The sentinel shells, played upon by the watchful winds, give alarm. Two daring mortals, armed with the enchanted magnet of the Black Crook approach the secret entrance. Already they have passed the white whirlpool in safety. They come to despoil our realm of its glittering wealth.
Fear not the talisman they bear is powerless against the spells that guard the portal.
Ho, ho, ho!
My faithful subjects, your Queen commends the zeal with which you would guard from mortal light our beautiful realm. But ere these rash intruders perish I would gratify a strange desire. Speed hence good Dragonfin. Catch me their shadows from the bosom of the moon-lighted lake and cast them upon my faithful mirror. I would look upon them ere they fade forever.
Begin the spell.
Ha, 'tis he! He must not perish. Invisible spirits, avert this peril.
Forbear! Who moves again 'till I alone command shall perish.
Welcome, brave mortal, to our bright domain. And you my subjects, know and greet your Queen's preserver.
I am called Stalacta, queen of this dazzling realm. The glittering wonders that assail thine eyes are not creations of fantastic dreams but Nature's handiwork wrought with cunning fingers in a bounteous mood.
Who is thy droll companion?
My simple henchman, a faithful guide and servitor.
I bid him welcome for his master's sake.
Thanks, thanks, your resplendent majesty, thanks.
You speak of service done; have we then met before?
Yes, once.
Indeed! When?
This very night.
Tonight?
Tonight, in the glen of fire, but not as now. Then a poor weak, fluttering, charm-encompassed bird, you snatched me from the jaws of death, broke the dark spell of transformation and gave to me the priceless boon of liberty.
I do remember--
And so do I. Phew, how the sparks flew when master smashed the head of the scaly monster. And such a smell of brimstone. I do believe it was one of the Beelzebub's own imps in disguise.
Again thou art welcome. This is my natal hour. Wilt view the sports of this our carnival?
Most willingly.
And while the revels proceed thou shalt tell me thy story.
Well, upon my word, I'm very much obliged to your scaly magnificence. I'll do as much for you someday. By the way, is your amphibious majesty fond of fish?
What kind?
Like large ones, eh? All right, I'll make you a present of the first ten-pounder I catch.
Pshaw, mere sprats and sardines. Not my kind at all. This is too much like taking advantage of confiding innocence.
Couldn't your finny excellency oblige me with a more tempting bait, something that would seduce some big, greedy, wiggly-waggly fellow into taking a nibble?
I don't know about this. Excuse me for asking the question, but, as an unprejudiced observer, don't you think this style of bait more likely to bite the fish than the fish to bite the bait?
All right, here goes then.
Really, my fishy-fleshy friend, you must excuse me. I beg ten thousand pardons. I hadn't the remotest idea in the world that any of you bottle green gentlemen were lying around loose in the bottom watching for a supper of raw crabs. Indeed I hadn't.
All right, I accept your apology.
Now you're what I call a true friend--a friend in need. You stick by a fellow when he hasn't the courage to stick by himself. This is the second time you've done me a service. Once in saving me from too much water and now in saving me from too much luck, and I'll let you see that I can be grateful. You like fish?
Consider him yours.
And Hertzog, the Black Crook--
Is a vile sorcerer whose dark unhallowed spells were wrought for thy destruction.
How!
Beneath the entrance to this charmed spot lie intertwined among the branches of the coraline whole hecatombs of human bones, the whitened relics of adventurous mortals who like thyself have sought this realm. Until tonight no human eye has ever seen the dazzling splendor of this wondrous dome. No human footsteps save thine own and his who follows thee have ever pressed these sands of gold. Had not thy coming been to me forshadowed and all my power been interposed to snatch thee from the impending doom, thou too had'st joined the hapless throng that mouldering lies beneath yon depths.
Then is thy debt to me already paid.
Not so. I am still thy debtor and must ever be. Thou art environed by danger and need the power of my protection. Return into the outer world again; thy happiness is there. She whom thou lov'st is worthy of thy love; therefore return.
Amina, dear Amina!
In the secret cells of this cavern whose walls are solid gold lie counteless hoards of richest treasure, gleaned for ages by the tireless gnomes. In the crystal depths of these waters sparkle gems richer by far than human eyes have ever gazed upon. Of these thou shalt bear with thee the choicest. Behold my gift.
This bark, protected by a potent spell shall bear thee safely to yon neighboring shore. My faithful gnomes shall be the treasure bearers. But ere we part, take thou this jewelled circlet.
Should danger threaten as perchance it will, for baffled malice has a thousand stings--press but thy lips upon the gem and thou wilt find me by thy side.
Farewell.
So I do, child, so I do, particularly the masquerading. One has so many pleasant things whispered in one's ear, but I can't say much for the waltzing. It's such a terrible thing to take the starch out of one's linen.
La, Madame Barbara, what's a little starch? Nothing. If I
waltzed as gracefully as you--
Then you--you think me graceful, eh?
He who danced so often with the lady Amina?
Yes, madame.
And what of
Nothing, only he was frantic to get an introduction to you.
No was he?
Yes indeed, Madame. And when his lordship the count engaged the lady Amina for a moment, he turned to me, and slipping a golden crown into my palm with one hand, pressing his heart with the other, asked with a sweet sighing silvery voice, trembling with emotion, "Who is that lovely being?"
No! Did he?
Yes indeed, Madame.
Carline, take my fan, child.
So it will, Madame, and ruddy complexions are not genteel.
Allow
Not so violent, girl. You'll disarrange my hair. Gently, very gently, a sort of sportive zephyr.
I understand, Madame. You want a mild sort of tickling sensation-- something like one feels on one's neck when a gentleman whispers in one's ear.
A swan-like creature.
Oh.
Nobody appears to know exactly, I heard his lordship the Count whisper to the Baron von Puffengruntz that he suspected the mysterious blue mask to be no other than the young prince Leopold. Once, while dancing, his domino came open at the breast and I saw a collar of jewels fit for an Emperor. However, as everybody is to unmask at the grand banuqet, we will then know all about him.
Eh, what, the Prince Leopold?
So his lordship the Count thinks.
Why he's already affianced as everybody knows, to the young Princess Frederica.
Dear me, so he is. How unfortunate!
Poor young man, how I pity him. What a terrible thing it is
to be of royal blood and not have the liberty to choose for
one's self. Heigho! I know it is a sad, cruel, wicked thing
to blight a young and budding affection, but as the right
honorable foster-mother that
Yes, certainly child, that is if her ladyship requires you.
Full moon of the festival, why have you so cruelly robbed the grand hall of your light, and left us to grope about in the dull glimmer of the sickly stars.
Don't talk to me about moonship and sickly stars, you heartless, gay deceiver.
Deceiver!
Deceiver. Didn't I see you gallivanting with the fraulein Von Skragneck, the new Burgonmaster's daughter?
Politeness, my dear Madame Barbara, merely politeness, on my honor. The fact is I-I had the misfortune to tread on the lady's favorite bunion, and what you mistook for tenderness was only an apology-an apology, believe me, my dear Madame Barbara, only an apology.
Oh, you men, you deceiving men, you are always ready with an excuse.
On the honor of a Von Puffengruntz, I swear I speak the truth. The fraulein Von Skragneck indeed! Haven't I got eyes? Ah, cruel fair one, compared with her and all others, you are the stately sunflower in a meadow of dandelions. As-as-as the queen hollyhock in a garden of chickweed.
It's coming at last, I know it's coming.
She's moved. She's overcome with emotion, she turns to hide
her blushes. She yields, and now, like a conqueror, I'll
gather in the fruits of victory.
Dear me, how strangely the tender passion affects him. He's shaking like an aspen and his hand is as cold as ice.
Bewitching siren, listen to the voice of love.
Oh, Mynheer Von Puffengruntz, how can you--
Don't call me Von Puffengruntz, call be Maximillian, call me
Oh, don't, you naughty man, you--you hurt my hand.
No, did I? Queen of love and beauty, then let me heal the
bruise.
No, no, Master Equerry, that won't do. You are very clever, very droll and you tell very funny stories, but that last joke is a trifle too much.
But my dear Susetta--
But my dear Susetta--
Of course it isn't. It's- it's- what is it?
No it isn't "What-is-it"- -it's Carline.
Of course it is, but you see I always mean Carline when I say Suesetta. Therefore Susetta--that is my dear Carline, when I tell you I love you--
(laughing) I don't believe a word you say. Why you arrived here scarely three hours ago, and you've already been making love to half the girls in the castle.
It's a mistake, my dear Susetta--I mean Carline, altogether a mistake. I had my eye on you from the first, and any little outside pleasantry you may have happened to notice was only to get my hand in.
And this is only to keep it in, I suppose. No, no. I'm not as simple as I look, and I tell you, clever master Equerry, it won't do.
But my dear Carline, allow me to tell you that I'm not an equerry.
NO?
Dear me! Consulting Secretary?
Consulting Secretary!
Confidential Adviser?
Confidential Adviser!
Portable Treasury!
Portable Treasury. Behold!
And you really mean--
That you are she.
No.
Yes.
I'm afraid to trust you.
Allow me to make a deposit.
No, have I? Permit me to return it to you.
A secret, dear Greppo?
Oh, thank you. You needn't repeat it again at present. That's as much as I can stand 'till I get used to it.
Well, then, the secret.
Yes. In the first place, do you love your mistress, Carline?
Love her? I'd die for her.
No, no, no, no. I don't want you to go quite that far. I'm not ambitious to be a widower before I've had my honeymoon.
Well, then, I love her dearly.
That's better. And she loves my mas-- that is, young Rodolphe the painter?
Better than her own life, poor lady.
And would marry him but for this ruffianly Count Wolfenstein?
Yes--but the secret.
Some one is here.
Fear not; they are our own people.
Yes, good master. Come along, Carline.
Surely I've heard that voice before?
Yes, dear Greppo.
Oh, don't!
Oh, dear Rodolphe, is this a dream?
What's past seems so, but day has dawned on our long clouded night and thgis the awakeing.
Your story is indeed most wondrous. But on, dear Rodolphe, I tremble for your life If you should be discovered the vengeance of the ruthless Wolfenstein, backed by his horde of fierce retainers would be terrible.
Fear not, I will defend my right with my life. The same kind power that interposed between me and destruction protect us still. You shall be saved. All is ready for our flight. On the border of the forest, beyond the boundary of the gardens, swift horses are concealed. After midnight the moon veiling her face behind the bracken, will cast a deep shadow over the valley. When it is quiet I will be beneath your window. The rest is easy. Carline and my faithful Greppo will accompany us.
Fear?
Fear with that fear that springs from woman's love.
Treason?
'Tis said a serf, a wretch, usurping the semblance of a noble prince and bent on outrage has dared to mingle with this goodly throng. If that be false to all I'll make amends for this rude breaking in upon the general joy. If it be true 'tis fit we know it. Therefore I do command that all shall here unmask.
Lost, lost.
Aye, let all unmask.
'Tis true; yield, audacious miscreant!
Never, while life remains!
Upon him, guards, hew him to pieces!
The ring, master, the ring.
Alas that things ever fall so ill. 'Tis now siz months since that never-to-be-forgotten night, and still no news of the lost mistress of Wolfenstein. Nor yet of his lordship who has sworn an oath never to return to the castle until he has brought her back and revenged himself on the horrible monster who has stolen her. And that graceless baggage Carline, too, to go off at the same time, leavimng all the woes of the household to fall on my poor shoulders. And then to make matters worse, spells and witchcraft turn all things upside down. The cows milk vinegar, the wells are dry, the hens lay addled eggs---
Hic! A wine-butt, Madam Von Puffengruntz?
Aye, a wine-butt, a beer barrel, a brute that hasn't drawn a sober breath since the day after we were married, now more than three months ago.
Hic! A beer-barrel?
Hic! Certainly, of course, just whichever you please, my
dear, wine-butt or beer-barrel, it's all the same to me.
You know you
Cackle!
Hic! Cackle, my dear. You know I never have a moment's peace. You're not even quiet when you're asleep. You snore, Madam Von Puffengrunz, you snore, loud enough to split the drum of my ear and rip up the seam up my nightcap.
Snore, you wretch,
Hic! Yes, my dear, and have the nightmare. Hic! I don't like a wife that snores and I hate a wife that has the nightmare. In future I'm going to have separate apartments. Hereafter I intend to sleep alone.
Alone.
Hic! I said alone.
Am I awake? Who and what do you take me for?
Hic! I took you for a gentle spice-a sort of seasoning to the dull life I led here in the castle, but damn it, Madam, you've turned out to be all the condiments in one, a bottom layer of mustard, a top dressing of cayenne pepper and a subeterranean lake of vinegar in the middle.
'Tis wisely resolved, good master. The sun declines, night comes on apace and we are yet some three good miles from home. Besides I'm hollow as a drum. Moreover, in early autumn venison keeps not overlong and the fat haunch of yonder noble buck cries out for speedy roasting. Pray do not tarry long.
Well, dear love, tomorrow ends the year of our probation. Tomorrow, at the holy altar's foot, I call you mine.
Tomorrow! How brief the time and yet how long 'till then. Oh, Rodolphe, will it come to us? There seems to be a lurking danger in the air--a cloud between us and the coming light.
Fear not. Here in the deep seculsion of our forest home we
are safe from all pursuit.
Ha, ha, ha! At last we meet!
No, Rodolphe, we will die together.
Alive, take him alive! Yield!
Put up thy blade; she whom thou would'st invoke is powerless to aid.
False wretch, but that another life hangs on the slender thread
of mine--though coward numbers swarmed on every side--I'd
try this issue with my single sword. But know thou still
art juggled with. The poower I once invoked is potent still.
Though environed by a thousand fiends my hate would find a way to reach you.
Look up, Amina, all danger's past. Courage, ere long, we'll meet our people.
And you are safe?
Safe! Come, poor trembling dove. Courage, courage.
Let one vast curse fill all the air! Am I then juggled with! Malignant powers, obey your master's call. Viewless spirits of evil, work now your direst spells! As toppling mountains crush the mighty pines, crush thou the power that thwarts and mocks me. Zamiel, mighty master, I invoke thy aid.
Your will?
Summon your infernal legions--pursue yon flying pair. Fire the forest, girdle them with a belt of flame; close every avenue of escape. Away, away!
Courage, courage. The ring, the ring!
What's the use? Now what
'Tis well. Let silence reign awhile. How stands the record of the dying year? Has every seed brought sinful fruit? Is all the harvest gathered in--is every bond fulfilled?
All!--All save one.
Who plays the laggard?
One who sought to rival thy great power; Hertzog, the Black Crook.
Ho, ho, go.
If, when the brazen tongue of clamorous time, now trembling on the midnight verge, proclaims the appointed hour, the wail of the fresh soul by him betrayed, breaks on the air of hell, let him be summoned.