Volume I Part 16 (2/2)
”You are lost, then, if you do not instantly fly from Schweidnitz. You should not have returned, for moments here are of more worth than gold.”
”My people are putting to the horses,” replied Tausdorf, and went with Althea into the court, where Schmidt was just drawing out the carriage from the coach-house, and Martin was cursing in the stable because he could not find the harness.
”This is too long about,” said Althea; ”besides you will go more slowly in your carriage, and not be able to use the footpaths. Let them saddle my palfrey for you.”
”The creature is good, but too slight. He'll not stand out a hard ride.”
”Let him, then, drop under you, so as you but reach your goal. Only hasten, for Heaven's sake, before the deed is spread abroad!”
”Then saddle the palfrey,” said Tausdorf to his servant; ”and lead him on before to the Striegauer gate. I will come straight after you.”
The servant obeyed.
”But how was it possible,” said Althea, ”that with all your coolness and moderation, you could suffer yourself to be provoked by the wretched drunkard to this rash act, the consequences of which are so evident?”
”Woman,” replied Tausdorf, with gloomy looks, ”were an angel from heaven to come down in a corporeal form, he could not remain in peace if the evil-minded seriously set about involving him in quarrels!
Believe me on my knightly word, I was forced to draw the sword. My life and honour were both at stake; and if I am no longer to defend these with my knightly hand, I may bid adieu to the world, and creep into a cloister. The thrust did, indeed, go deeper than it should, but who, in the heat of battle, can command his steel? G.o.d be my judge!”
The palfrey was saddled and brought out. Tausdorf again bade Althea farewell, pressed her to his heart with the convulsive energy of grief, and rushed away. With slow steps she reascended the stairs, and placed herself again in the stone seat in the window. The tears flowed hotly down her cheeks, while her anxious heart swelled her bosom with strong and frequent heavings.
She had sate thus for some time, when with anxious speed her uncle entered the apartment.
”Have you heard it, niece? Francis Friend has been found dead in the Park, not far from the bowling-green, and report names our Tausdorf for his murderer.”
”Alas! alas!” sobbed Althea; ”this misfortune will cost me too my life.”
”Gracious Heavens! It is true, then? But the unlucky man has fled?--for, if they catch him here, he is lost. He might rather hope to find mercy from the Spanish inquisition, or from the prince of darkness himself, than from the old Erasmus.”
”He has fled upon my palfrey, and if he only gets a good start of them I deem him saved.”
”G.o.d grant it! but as I hurried hither the prefects of the quarter were running about like mad. To a certainty they will raise a hue and cry after him. Has he been long gone?”
Althea remained without answering, for the hurried trot of many horses had caused her to look out of the window. A party of the city police were riding by, well armed and with speed, over the market-place to the Striegauer gate.
”Gracious Heavens! Too soon!” sighed the poor Althea, and sank in a swoon to the ground.
The night had come on, and the moon threw her first beams over the silent country. Tausdorf just then rode his panting horse into Salzbrunn, with many a glance behind to see if he could yet discover any of his pursuers. Unfortunately he heard from the town the snorting and the tramp of many horses.
”Hold out but this once, poor beast!” he exclaimed to his horse, and again plunged the spurs into his bleeding flanks. But the weary animal made only a few weak efforts, and fell back again into his short trot, interrupted by frequent stumbles, while the sound of horses' feet kept constantly nearing.
”It is then a struggle for life or death!” cried Tausdorf; drew his sword, and his left hand grasped his holster-pistols.
”Stop, murderer, stop!” cried the first horseman, springing forward.
”You are our prisoner. Follow us to Schweidnitz.”
<script>