Part 52 (2/2)
had approached her; they were almost walking together as he said, ”I am very glad; it was very pleasant to me to see you all again so happy!”
”Ah, yes,” answered Gabriele, ”now we can all be together again. It is a great happiness that Louise and her family are come here.”
”Perhaps,” continued the Baron--”perhaps it might be audacity to disturb such a happily united life, and to wish to separate a daughter and sister from such a family--but if the truest----”
”Ah!” hastily interrupted Gabriele, ”don't speak of disturbing anything, of changing anything--everything is so good as it now is!”
He was silent, with an expression of sorrow.
”Let us be all happy together,” said Gabriele, bashfully and cordially; ”you will stop some time with us. It is so charming to have friends and sisters--this united life is so agreeable with them.”
The Baron's countenance brightened. He seized Gabriele's hand, and would have said something, but she hastened from him to her father, whose arm she took.
Jacobi conducted Petrea; they were cheerful and confidential together, as happy brother and sister. She spoke to him of her present happiness, and of the hope which made up her future. He took the liveliest interest in it, and spoke with her of his plans; of his domestic happiness; and with especial rapture of his boys; of their obedience to the slightest word of their parents; of their mutual affection to each other--and see--all this was Louise's work! And Louise's praise was sung forth in a harmonious duet--ever a sweet scent for ”our eldest,” who appeared, however, to listen to no one but her father.
They soon reached home. The mother stood with the silver ladle in her hand, and the most friendly smile on her lips, in the library, before a large steaming bowl of punch, and with look and voice bade the entering party welcome.
”My dear Elise,” said the Judge, embracing her, ”you are become twenty years younger to-day.”
”Happiness makes one young,” answered she, looking on him affectionately.
People seated themselves.
”Don't make so much noise, children!” said Louise to her eight, seating herself with the little Elise on her knees; ”can't you seat yourselves without so much noise and bustle.”
Jeremias Munter had placed himself in a corner, and was quiet, and seemed depressed.
On many countenances one saw a sort of tension, a sort of consciousness that before long a something uncommon was about to happen. The Judge coughed several times; he seemed to have an unusual cause for making his throat clear. At length he raised his voice and spoke, but not without evident emotion, ”Is it true that our friend Jeremias Munter thinks of soon leaving us, in order to seat himself down in solitude in the country? Is it true, as report says, that he leaves us so soon as to-morrow morning, and that this is the last evening which brings him into our circle as a townsman of ours?”
The a.s.sessor made an attempt to reply, but it was only a sort of low grunting tone without words. He looked fixedly upon the floor, and supported his hands upon his stick.
”In this case,” continued the Judge, ”I am desired to ask him a question, which I would ask from no one else, and which nearly sticks in my throat,--Will our friend Munter allow that any one--any one of us should follow him into his solitude?”
”Who would accompany me?” snorted Jeremias grumblingly and doubtingly.
”I!” answered a soft, harmonious voice; and Eva, as beautiful and graceful at this moment as ever, approached him, conducted by her father. ”I,” repeated she, blus.h.i.+ng and speaking softly but sincerely, ”I will accompany you if you will.”
On the countenances of the family it might be read that this to the members of it was no surprise. Louise had gentle tears in her eyes, and did not look the least in the world scandalised at this step--so contrary to the dignity of woman. The a.s.sessor drew himself together, and looked up with a sharp and astonished look.
”Receive from my hand,” said the Judge, with a voice which showed his feeling, ”a companion for whom you have long wished. Only to you, Munter, would I so resign my beloved child.”
”Do you say no to me?” asked Eva, blus.h.i.+ng and smiling, as she extended her white hand to the still stupified Jeremias.
He seized the extended hand hastily, pressed it with both hands to his breast, and said softly as he bent over it, ”Oh, my rose!” When he raised his head, his eyes were wet; but there was anxiety and disquiet in his whole being. ”Brother,” said he to the Judge, ”I cannot yet thank you--I don't know--I don't understand--I must first prove her.”
He took Eva by the hand and conducted her into the boudoir adjoining the library, seated himself opposite to her, and said warmly, ”Whence proceeds this? What jokes are these? How does it arise? Tell me, in G.o.d's name, Eva, with what sentiments do you thus come and woo me? Is it with true love?--yes, I say, true love; don't be startled at the word!
You can take it as I mean it. Is it love, or is it--pity? As a gift of mercy I cannot take you. Thus much I can tell you. Do not deceive yourself--do not deceive me! In the name of G.o.d, who proves all hearts, answer me, and speak the truth. Is it from the full and entire heart that you come thus to me? Do you think, Eva, angel of G.o.d, that I, the ugly, infirm, ill-tempered old man can make you happy?”
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