Part 58 (1/2)
Drawing a sealed packet from his coat-pocket, he handed it to the baroness with a low bow, saying: ”I would draw your attention to the fact once more, dear madam, that I have abided by the price named by yourself, in making this sale, although I am still of the opinion that it is below its value.”
”The sum is sufficient for my wants, and I rated its value according as it is taxed.”
”There are a hundred thousand dollars in bills of exchange, payable at the French emba.s.sy at any moment,” said the marquis.
”I thank you, sir, for this proof of friendly attention; and as it may be the last time we meet, I would a.s.sure you that I shall always remember your many and thoughtful kindnesses.”
”You speak, baroness, as if you would forsake the circle of which you are the brightest ornament.”
”No, the friends will forsake me,” she replied, with a peculiar smile.
”Ere an hour shall pa.s.s not one of all these numerous guests will remain here.--Ah, there comes the decision! See there, marquis!”
The usher announced ”Banker Splittgerber.” The old man entered followed by two men of not very presentable appearance, and whose toilet was but little in keeping with the brilliantly-decorated room and the aristocratic guests.
Never heeding the sneers nor contemptuous smiles, the faithful book-keeper wound his way, through the crowd of elegantly dressed ladies and gentlemen, accompanied by the two men, up to Ebenstreit, who, with instinctive politeness, had placed himself near Marie.
”Gentlemen,” said Splittgerber, in a loud voice, ”this is Baron Ebenstreit von Leuthen, princ.i.p.al of the banking-house Ludwig.”
The two gentlemen approached, one of them saying, ”They sent us here from your office.”
”This is not the place for business,” replied Ebenstreit. ”Follow me!”
”No, gentlemen, remain here,” cried Marie. ”Our guests present are such intimate, devoted friends that we have nothing to conceal from them; but on the contrary, I am convinced they will only be too happy of the occasion to prove their friends.h.i.+p, of which they have so often a.s.sured us.--These gentlemen demand the payment of a bill of exchange for eighty thousand dollars. Take my portfolio, Ebenstreit; there is a pencil in it. Go around and make a collection; undoubtedly the entire sum will be soon noted down.”
Ebenstreit approached the Baron von Frankenstein, saying: ”Pardon me if I recall to your memory the sum of one thousand louis d'ors, due for four black horses three months since.”
”My dear sir,” cried the baron, ”this is a strange manner to collect one's debts. We were invited to a feast, and a pistol is pointed at us, demanding our debts to be cancelled!”
”How strange! How ridiculous!” heard one here and there among the guests, as they, with one accord, pressed toward the door to make their exit, which they found fastened.
”Remain,” cried Marie, with stately dignity. ”I wish you honored guests to be witness of this scene in the hour of justification, as you were also present at the one when one of the n.o.blest and best of men cursed me.--Banker Splittgerber, take these bills of exchange for one hundred thousand dollars. Pay these gentlemen, and devote the remainder to the other debts as far as it will go.”
As the three men withdrew by a side-drier, Marie exclaimed: ”I will now explain to you that Baron von Leuthen is ruined--poor as a beggar when he will not work.”
”Marie,” cried Ebenstreit, terrified, rus.h.i.+ng toward her, and seizing her by the arm. ”Marie--”
She threw off his hand from her in anger. ”Do not touch me, sir, and do not presume either to address me with any endearments. You have yourself said that our marriage was not a veritable one, but was like the union of a.s.sociates in business, and now I would inform you it is dissolved: the one is a bankrupt; the other a woman whom you cursed, and who reclaims of you four years of shame and degradation. You wonder at my speaking thus, but you do not know this man, my friends.”
As she spoke, a door opened at the farther end of the room, and Trude entered in her simple dress, followed by Philip Moritz. Un.o.bserved the two glided behind the charming grotto which had been arranged with flowers and wreaths in one of the niches. Every eye was turned upon the pale, stately beauty, erect in the centre of the room.
”Stay here, for no one can see us,” whispered Trude. ”I could not bear to have you leave Berlin without hearing the justification of my dear Marie, and may G.o.d pardon me for letting you come here unbeknown to her!
Listen, and pray to Him to forgive you the great injustice that you have done her. Be quiet, that no one may see you, and Marie be angry with her old Trude.”
”Yes,” continued Marie, with chilling contempt, ”you should know this man before whom you have all bowed, pressed the hand, and called your friend, because he was rich, and, thanks to his wealth alone, became a t.i.tled man--a baron, buying the hand of a poor but n.o.ble maiden, whom he knew despised him, and pa.s.sionately loved another, having sworn eternal constancy to him. I am that young girl. I begged, nay implored him, not to pursue me, but he was void of pity, mocked my tears, and said he could buy my love, and my heart would at last be touched by the influence of his wealth. I should have preferred to die, but Fate ordered that the one I loved, by my fault, should by imprisonment atone our brief dream of bliss. I could only save him by accepting this man; these were the conditions. I became his wife before the world, and took my oath in his presence to revenge myself, and after four years I shall accomplish it. I have spent his money, and of the rich man made a beggar. G.o.d be praised, I can now revenge myself in freeing myself!”
”Free yourself? It is not true! You are my wife still,” replied Ebenstreit, alarmed.
A radiant smile flitted over Marie's face as she defied Ebenstreit with the law of the Great Frederick, who had decided that every unhappy couple without offspring could separate by their own free will and consent, having signed a paper to that effect.
”Is that the paper which you have made me sign?” cried Ebenstreit, alarmed.