Part 8 (1/2)
While all this festivity had been going on at the Gruner Mann, a very different scene had been enacted elsewhere. Young Fritz von Hartmann, with a solemn face and a reserved manner, had, after the experiment, consulted and adjusted some mathematical instruments; after which, with a few peremptory words to the janitor, he had walked out into the street and wended his way slowly in the direction of the house of the Professor. As he walked he saw Von Althaus, the professor of anatomy, in front of him, and quickening his pace he overtook him.
”I say, Von Althaus,” he exclaimed, tapping him on the sleeve, ”you were asking me for some information the other day concerning the middle coat of the cerebral arteries. Now I find----”
”Donnerwetter!” shouted Von Althaus, who was a peppery old fellow. ”What the deuce do you mean by your impertinence! I'll have you up before the Academical Senate for this, sir”; with which threat he turned on his heel and hurried away. Von Hartmann was much surprised at this reception. ”It's on account of this failure of my experiment,” he said to himself, and continued moodily on his way.
Fresh surprises were in store for him, however. He was hurrying along when he was overtaken by two students. These youths, instead of raising their caps or showing any other sign of respect, gave a wild whoop of delight the instant that they saw him, and rus.h.i.+ng at him, seized him by each arm and commenced dragging him along with them.
”Gott in Himmel!” roared Von Hartmann. ”What is the meaning of this unparalleled insult? Where are you taking me?”
”To crack a bottle of wine with us,” said the two students. ”Come along!
That is an invitation which you have never refused.”
”I never heard of such insolence in my life!” cried Von Hartmann. ”Let go my arms! I shall certainly have you rusticated for this. Let me go, I say!” and he kicked furiously at his captors.
”Oh, if you choose to turn ill-tempered, you may go where you like,” the students said, releasing him. ”We can do very well without you.”
”I know you. I'll pay you out,” said Von Hartmann furiously, and continued in the direction which he imagined to be his own home, much incensed at the two episodes which had occurred to him on the way.
Now, Madame von Baumgarten, who was looking out of the window and wondering why her husband was late for dinner, was considerably astonished to see the young student come stalking down the road. As already remarked, she had a great antipathy to him, and if ever he ventured into the house it was on sufferance, and under the protection of the Professor. Still more astonished was she, therefore, when she beheld him undo the wicket-gate and stride up the garden path with the air of one who is master of the situation. She could hardly believe her eyes, and hastened to the door with all her maternal instincts up in arms. From the upper windows the fair Elise had also observed this daring move upon the part of her lover, and her heart beat quick with mingled pride and consternation.
”Good day, sir,” Madame von Baumgarten remarked to the intruder, as she stood in gloomy majesty in the open doorway.
”A very fine day indeed, Martha,” returned the other. ”Now, don't stand there like a statue of Juno, but bustle about and get the dinner ready, for I am well-nigh starved.”
”Martha! Dinner!” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed the lady, falling back in astonishment.
”Yes, dinner, Martha, dinner!” howled Von Hartmann, who was becoming irritable. ”Is there anything wonderful in that request when a man has been out all day? I'll wait in the dining-room. Anything will do.
Sc.h.i.n.ken, and sausage, and prunes--any little thing that happens to be about. There you are, standing staring again. Woman, will you or will you not stir your legs?”
This last address, delivered with a perfect shriek of rage, had the effect of sending good Madame von Baumgarten flying along the pa.s.sage and through the kitchen, where she locked herself up in the scullery and went into violent hysterics. In the meantime Von Hartmann strode into the room and threw himself down upon the sofa in the worst of tempers.
”Elise!” he shouted. ”Confound the girl! Elise!”
Thus roughly summoned, the young lady came timidly downstairs and into the presence of her lover. ”Dearest!” she cried, throwing her arms round him, ”I know this is all done for my sake. It is a _ruse_ in order to see me.”
Von Hartmann's indignation at this fresh attack upon him was so great that he became speechless for a minute from rage, and could only glare and shake his fists, while he struggled in her embrace. When he at last regained his utterance, he indulged in such a bellow of pa.s.sion that the young lady dropped back, petrified with fear, into an arm-chair.
”Never have I pa.s.sed such a day in my life,” Von Hartmann cried, stamping upon the floor. ”My experiment has failed. Von Althaus has insulted me. Two students have dragged me along the public road. My wife nearly faints when I ask her for dinner, and my daughter flies at me and hugs me like a grizzly bear.”
”You are ill, dear,” the young lady cried. ”Your mind is wandering. You have not even kissed me once.”
”No, and I don't intend to either,” Von Hartmann said with decision.
”You ought to be ashamed of yourself. Why don't you go and fetch my slippers, and help your mother to dish the dinner?”
”And is it for this,” Elise cried, burying her face in her handkerchief--”is it for this that I have loved you pa.s.sionately for upwards of ten months? Is it for this that I have braved my mother's wrath? Oh, you have broken my heart; I am sure you have!” and she sobbed hysterically.
”I can't stand much more of this,” roared Von Hartmann furiously. ”What the deuce does the girl mean? What did I do ten months ago which inspired you with such a particular affection for me? If you are really so very fond, you would do better to run away down and find the Sc.h.i.n.ken and some bread, instead of talking all this nonsense.”
”Oh, my darling!” cried the unhappy maiden, throwing herself into the arms of what she imagined to be her lover, ”you do but joke in order to frighten your little Elise.”