Part 64 (1/2)
Leuthold regarded her immovable features with a mixture of fear and hatred, and thought to himself, ”Once let me get you on the other side of the water, and in my power, and you shall atone bitterly for all the trouble that you give me now.”
And his restless fancy painted vividly before his mind's eye the revenge that awaited him in that new world, and an ugly smile was upon his lips as he thought of all that his niece's proud nature would have to endure.
Ernestine arose. ”There are only a few hours left before our departure,” she said. ”I must be sure that my intentions will be carried out.”
She went into her laboratory, and packed up, as well as she could, the apparatus that she designed for Walter. Then she reopened the letter that she was to leave with Willmers for Leonhardt, and added these words, ”Come what may, I pray you preserve these books and instruments for me as relics. Say they are yours, or they will be s.n.a.t.c.hed from you and from me.”
Thus she made her gift secure from the clutches of the law. She knew Leuthold well enough to feel sure that he would not seek to prevent its removal from the house if he could not keep it for his niece. Then she sent off the chests from the laboratory, and went into the library to select the books that Walter was to have. Leuthold hurried in, and said to her, ”Mollner is coming! Now, Ernestine, summon up all your resolution!” His teeth fairly chattered with agitation. ”Be strong, Ernestine. A human life is at stake! If you do not save me from Mollner's revenge and from the law, I am a dead man! By the life of my child,--dearer to me than aught else on earth,--I swear to you that I will commit suicide sooner than put on a convict's jacket! Now act accordingly.”
Ernestine gazed at him with horror. At last he was speaking the truth!
Sheer, blank despair was painted on his features.
”Uncle,” she cried, ”be calm! I will not drive you to suicide! My resolve is firm. Will you not be present?”
”No, that would make mischief. I will get everything ready for our departure, that nothing may detain us. Do not forget. We are reconciled,--do you hear? Will you tell him so?”
”I promise you.”
”I will go. I will not meet him. Bless you for every kind word, and curses upon you if you should betray me.”
He hurried away, and Ernestine looked after him with a shudder. A human life hung upon her lips! A curse awaited every thoughtless word that she might utter! She stood alone and helpless, burdened thus heavily, a young, inexperienced creature, scarcely able to bear the responsibility of her own actions. She spurred on her fainting energies to accomplish the almost superhuman task allotted to her.
Her dreaded visitor entered.
”Forgive me, Ernestine,” he said, ”for thus intruding unannounced. Your housekeeper directed me hither. This is no time for empty formalities.
It is time for action, and, if need be, for a life-and-death struggle.
I have just seen the chests sent off to Herr Leonhardt. I learn from Frau Willmers that you are going,--really going,--with your uncle.
Ernestine, I have no words for the anguish that I am now enduring! I could submit to your rejection of my suit, for I might still love you, but to find you unworthy of my love, Ernestine, would be more than I can bear.”
”And what could so degrade me in your eyes?” asked Ernestine with offended pride.
”Your not fleeing from such a villain, as from the Evil One himself,--your harbouring the intention of going forth into the world with one abhorred alike of G.o.d and man, not feeling sufficient detestation of the crime to induce you to avoid the criminal who must be shunned by every honest man. Oh, Ernestine, I cannot believe it now!
I would rather die than believe it!”
”He has excused himself in my eyes,” said Ernestine, deeply wounded.
”He has convinced me that no human being should condemn another unheard. I am not conscious of such perfection and infallibility in myself as would permit me to dare to judge and denounce. That must be left for those better and stronger than I. The tie that bound me to him is, it is true, broken, but I must tread the same path that he treads.
I cannot refuse to share his wanderings.”
”Do you not fear the disgrace that will attach to you by thus joining your lot with that of a criminal, amenable to the law?”
”The law has no power over him. He has satisfied me with regard to my property, and, if I am content, it is enough.”
”Good heavens! What security has he offered you? You are so inexperienced in such matters, he will deceive you again. Tell me, at least, what he has told you.”
Ernestine stood more erect. Agitation almost choked her utterance, and, to conceal it, she put on a colder, sterner manner than usual. ”When I tell you I am satisfied, it seems to me that should content you.”
”Ernestine,” cried Johannes, ”why do you adopt this tone with me? I am acting and thinking only for you and your interest, and you treat me like a foe.”