Withered Leaves Volume Iii Part 14

"I had only turned over two pages too many, there it stood: Giulia Bollini, Signor Baluzzi. That was the fatal leaf! With bold resolution I tore it out and held it in the flame. Then a loud peal of mocking laughter rang from the door of the sacristy. I looked round and saw the man with the bandage.

"The page was burned to atoms, I still saw it as if in a dream; rigid with fear I saw the man rush upon me; I blew out the light, but I could not escape him.

"I felt as one does in those dreams in which we see a monster, a serpent, a tiger prepared for the spring which shall kill us: my nerves were over-excited so that I could not distinguish between my dream and reality.

"Still nearer came the steps of the gruesome ghost. My senses gave way.

I fell down in a swoon!

"When I awoke again all was still intensely dark, but morning must soon dawn.

"I was alone, as it appeared; nothing stirred. The altar candlestick still stood upon the desk. I took it up, crept out of the sacristy up to the altar and put it back upon its old place. Nothing molested me!

My shoes I found in my corner. I put them on, hid myself behind a pillar, not far from the church door, ready for rapid flight.

"Indeed, it was not long before the sacristan opened the church doors for early ma.s.s. He went towards the altar, while I glided out behind him and hastened down the steps as if the church behind me were in flames.

"In Orta, also, I only remained a few minutes, then drove over to Stresa; the coachman could not make his horses go fast enough. In Bellinzona I became ill from the excitement, and when I had recovered, I performed very severe penance; my mind was terribly upset, but the farther north I came, the fresher did the breeze blow towards me. I began then to triumph that I had outman[oe]uvred that secret emissary of Baluzzi--because it could be no one else--that I had succeeded, despite his watchful ambuscade. I triumphed that I had restored you your liberty, and with this proud emotion I now clasp you in my arms.

"Burned to ashes is the spell that fettered you, and freely may you follow your heart!"

Giulia was intensely excited at her friend's intelligence, amid tears she squeezed Beate's hands. And yet she could not conquer an internal fear. Thus breaking into the sanctuary of the church seemed like an inexpiable act of sacrilege which rested upon her soul; and even if she believed in the newly-gained liberty she could not feel glad. Anxious forebodings of unknown possibilities that lay waiting in the air disturbed her confidence in unclouded happiness. What secrets oppressed her soul! How could she meet her beloved one's eye? The heavy weight that lies in the consciousness of forbidden deeds, did not permit her to draw that free breath without which success loses its triumphant charms. And yet--she was resolved to seize the supremest bliss in life in spite of fate, to set the right of her pa.s.sion above all the rights in the world. Was her happiness only transitory? She must do penance and succ.u.mb; at any rate, that which she now struggled for with such ardent longing would once have been her own.

Beate had not been back many days before Blanden's invitation to Kulmitten was received. The day of the marriage was decided upon.

Giulia prepared for her departure with Beate after having made a few purchases for a brilliant toilet.

Numerous guests from the provincial capital set out on horseback and in carriages for Kulmitten. The students had not neglected the invitation; they were glad to be present at a gay wedding. Salomon had arranged a performance for the Polter-abend, adapted from his collection of poetical blossoms, and the doctors, Kuhl and Schner, drove a spirited team to the lakes of Masuren. Ccilie was expected to come with Olga and Wegen from the neighbouring estate, where she had gone upon a visit to her sister, and every one in the district, who had not shown a hostile spirit towards the proprietor of Kulmitten, was welcome on this glad occasion.

Certainly, only a singer! It was, indeed, an unsuitable choice! Several ladies pretended to be ill, and only allowed their husbands to look on at the phenomenon so as to be able to bring back an account of the doings.

"I do not like such extremes," said Frau Baronin Fuchs to her husband, "is it necessary to jump from the sanctimonious to the most impudent children of this world? Certainly, in reality, the other was the same kind, only a different colour. No power in the world would take me to this wedding; you, of course, will drive over because everything connected with rouge pots and stage tinsel has a certain charm for you now. Well, look from a close point of view at the Circe who has enchanted this knight of the rueful countenance."

CHAPTER IX.

THE BRIDAL JEWELS.

Two sitting-rooms and bedrooms were prepared for Giulia and Beate in the old wing of the Castle. Blanden had ridden over to the nearest town to meet her, and sent on his carriage and four in advance.

He drove back with her. When they arrived at the boundary of his possessions, they were greeted by the peasants and tenants with loud acclamations. A handsomely decorated triumphal arch was erected; canon resounded far and near, and genuine, indeed, were the rejoicings of the people, who idolised Blanden. None of the proprietors on the lakes of Masuren were so gentle and kind as he, certainly none others had studied Buddha's teachings, or recognised pity for every being of creation as the original spring of all wisdom and morality.

The school girl who presented a huge nosegay to Giulia at the gate of honour, had learned a very long and very profound address, which was listened to with intense weariness by all but the bride-elect, for whom an accusation lay in every one of those moral sentiments. Cold water seemed to be running down her, when the little girl, with devout dove-like eyes, looked lovingly into her face.

And when old Olkewicz acted as spokesman for the officials and those belonging to the estate, and spoke of the old family possession, of the worthy heir, of his forefathers, then she suddenly felt what, until now, had been quite unknown to her: that here she was entering into the sacred circle of a family, into a well-regulated world governed by moral laws, into touching familiarity amongst equals, into a beautiful blending together of past and future; and to herself she appeared in the light of an intruder, who deserved to be cursed, who tore down the old saintly household G.o.ds from the domestic hearth, and with a guilty hand polluted a stainless roll of ancestors. She shuddered as if seized with cold; while Olkewicz also stammered in his honest speech and lost himself--he had suddenly recognised Giulia; it was actually the same white fairy who had stood on high in the moonlight on the gallery of the belfry tower.

The carriage drove on through the park. The Castle was decked with flags and banners, fluttering merrily in the breeze; all the doors were wreathed; here a dense crowd--part of which had hastened by a short cut from the triumphal arch, and were thus in advance--received them with renewed cheers.

Blanden was deeply moved, and pressed his betrothed's hand; he knew that it was true hearty love which bade them welcome. He thought of his father, of the old lords of the Castle--they blessed his entry. His feelings were solemn as he lifted his future bride out of the carriage and led her into the Castle, where he delivered her into the hands of the guardian spirits of his home.

When Giulia was seated alone in her room, for a few moments she gave herself up to a sensation of luxurious comfort; how strange was it for a wandering disciple of art to have a home, to reign as mistress over a vast estate! No more need she trouble about the gains of the moment, no more need she struggle from day to day for a living, competing for fame and gold, and the favour of the variable crowd which alone could grant both to her. The labour of art in the muses' temple appeared like a miserable daily task, which is forced from the reluctant senses, while only the holiness of enthusiasm sanctifies the artistic duty! From country to country had she wandered with her nomad tent, tarrying long wherever she had found plentiful pastures; but how many dangers did the pirates of criticism prepare for her, by how many _fata morgana_ had she been deceived--how homeless was her life, her soul!

What a sensation of security behind the stout walls of this Castle; for decades, for a whole life-time, every struggle with its necessities was banished, a life belonging to itself, one not given up to the mob! And how one must learn to love every little spot of earth which, by the habit of long a.s.sociation and possession, has become a portion of ourselves! Without, the trees rustled, the eastern sky glanced in the reflection of the declining sun, and the evening star, the star of love, peeped forth in the vapour-like clouds that were tinged with a delicate red.

Yonder the tall oaks, the silver poplars, and Scotch firs; the pavilion with its gay windows peeping out of the Chinese shrubs that surrounded it; the bridge over the lake; upon the island stood the swans' houses: at first all seemed but a pretty picture for her contemplation, but from day to day it must all become blended into her life--every spot, sanctified by love, become endeared to her heart.

And how home-like the old furniture in the drawing and other rooms: _roccoco_ cupboards, and drawers with their sweeping lines, those arm-chairs, little works of art carved in wood, those heavy curtains, which formed an easily moved part.i.tion between the secret concealed cabinets and drawing-rooms! How pleasant the faces of the old male and female servants, who at once took the new mistress to their hearts, and were ready to watch over their new precious possession as well as they had ever guarded the most valuable treasure confided to them.

A proud sensation of happiness overcame her; the dream of a peaceable existence, of ensured happiness, hovered before her mind, then her hand was pressed convulsively to her heart; painfully she felt the rift that extended through her whole life--that she always experienced, even although concealed from her lover and the world, but which, when it suddenly yawned, became an abyss which must swallow up all her felicity.

She could only listen absently to Beate's chatter, "I must say it is a true Palazzo Pitti, in which we, however, are the most beautiful pictures! And as to its being countryfied, the Castle itself certainly is not so, although the entire population consists of rough unhewn blocks. One might be in a fortress; down below, Signora, at the foot of the hill, still stands a ma.s.sive square tower. I enquired about it, they call it the 'Dantziger;' it was used for watching the besiegers and taking them in their rear, it also ensured escape, as a secret outlet leads to the lake. The stone pa.s.sage, with its handsome arches, unites it with the Castle. Well, if I can find a sweetheart here, the old Dantziger will do me good service for secret adventures and secret flight. Besides which, in the Castle, there are divers stairs in the walls, hidden doors--what else I know not! The Knights of the Order had their secrets, too. We shall find it all out in good time."

"You are incorrigible with your love of adventures, Beate."

"Think of the sacristy in the church of San Giulio. What should you be without me? A very doubtful betrothed, your past rests in the Orta Lake with the sacristy key! But enough of it. They are very lively over in the new wing, where all are preparing for the Polter-abend entertainment; they say it is just like being behind the scenes, gay masks of every kind, but terribly inexpert wardrobe women; everything in the world requires experience. If only we were with them, we understand the art."

Beate was still chattering when Blanden entered; she possessed tact enough to disappear as speedily as possible.

"Only get dressed quickly, dear Giulia!" cried Blanden, "all are preparing to greet us. I am an outlawed man it is true, but yet one always possesses some real friends. The Castle is full from attic to cellar; for twenty years or more there has not been such a garrison.

You bring life into my solitude, let me welcome you cordially once more."

He clasped her in his arms and pressed a fervent kiss upon her lips.

"What is that little box," said Giulia, "which you carry in your hand?"

"My bridal gift, beloved! I come with a full heart, and may not do so empty handed."

He opened the ebony casket: the most beautiful ornaments, a diadem with brilliants, necklets and bracelets of the most magnificent pearls, and beside them unset precious stones, sapphires, and rubies shone in such radiance that Giulia could not suppress a sudden cry of admiration.

"It is all yours, it is the inheritance which has been bequeathed to the last Blanden by his mother and by the ancestral mistresses of this house, there being no living heiress who has the right to these ornaments. From henceforth you shall wear them, they have found an owner again who is worthy of them, and well they will suit your dark hair and fine features!"

Giulia was dazzled with the brilliant gift, and yet-- Like will-'o-the-wisps, like snakes of fire, they flashed and quivered before her eyes! Was it not a robber's hand which grasped this family possession?

But she overcame the slight shudder with which she saw the ghostly ancestresses of the house of Blanden, as they stretched out their bony hands in protest, or touched her brow and imprinted the sign of the curse upon her. She was only conscious of Blanden's love and goodness in confiding such a priceless heritage to her, and, thanking him cordially, laid her hand upon her heart.

On that evening she would be queen of the feast, banish all gloomy thoughts; he should have a right to be proud of her. A mistress of the toilet, an art belonging to the stage, she would enhance her beauty by simple attire. Merrily adorned with a wreath of flowers, her hair, black as ebony, as it fell upon her neck, enframed a face whose fine moulding did not suffer from the pallor of its features, for that Venetian colouring appertained to the beauty of marble, to that idealism of form which was peculiar to her. Her tall slight figure was seductively enveloped in clouds of pink tulle, and as if of gleaming foam, bosom and neck, the glorious outlines of a Venus Anadyomene rose from out that ma.s.s of clouds. As she entered the dining-hall with Blanden, a buzz of admiration pa.s.sed through the apartment. They were mostly elderly gentlemen who were present, the younger ones were still behind the scenes preparing the masquerade.

Hermann von Gutskhnen and Sengen von Lrchen had never seen anything of the kind; the former greeted her with a whispered monologue which reached its climax in a low oath; the latter held his finger thoughtfully to his nose, and after his address, "dear friends," had allowed a considerable pause to follow, "she is a most beautiful woman, tall, she has breeding, something Arab-like in her nostrils, and devilish black hair, but no healthy colour--she needs some Masuren breezes to blow about her cheeks."

"Thunder and lightning," replied Hermann, "a splendid toilet! But a betrothed should really be a rose-bud, she is perfectly full blown!"

"Herr von Blanden has good taste," said Baron von Fuchs to his neighbour, the Landrath, "it is well that our wives have not come with us. It was well feigned hoa.r.s.eness, and a most justifiable headache which befell them, because I must say--naturally I exclude our wives--we have no beauties in the district who can be compared with her. And they who stayed at home have all happily escaped this sensation. In words they would not have acknowledged this beauty, but at heart they would have bowed before it as the brethren bowed before Joseph, in the dream; they would have tingled with unbounded jealousy to the very tips of their fingers and toes, because whosoever bathes in the pool of Bethsaida knows how to respect the beauty of the Olympians."

Blanden and Giulia welcomed their guests heartily, and then seated themselves in two garlanded arm-chairs to receive the homage of the Polter-abend. A merry blast of music announced the commencement of the performance.

First appeared lovely water-fairies from the lake. Olga von Dornau led the dance; the daughter of the Sanittsrath from the district town, the daughters of a retired major, who lived there, and a rich young widow represented the Naiads decked with reeds.

The concessions made to the local colouring and faithful costume of the legend, were of varying degrees, the young widow's being the greatest.