Part 19 (1/2)

_Heinrich_ knit his brow as he looked at the picture. ”I should not have the courage to choose this Lady. Those eyebrows, that pouting, scornful mouth.”

”Yes, Ottilie's pleases me far better,” said the prince.

”And besides, I see no object in this marriage. What is an alliance with the little country of D---- to a prince like your Highness?

Princess Ottilie, on the contrary, is immensely rich; more friendly relations with the court of H---- would be desirable in every respect, and Ottilie is a Catholic; she might--that is----”

A clock struck ten. The prince started up.

”The council must begin. Ottmar, you are my amba.s.sador; set out on your journey to-morrow morning, and negotiate the matter for me at the court of H----. Consult the physicians, and if you think it advisable, in G.o.d's name win Ottilie for my wife! From all you say she will be best suited to me. The sacrifice must be made at once. Farewell till we meet in the council of state, dear count.”

Thus was the weal or woe of a n.o.ble, precious life decided, and again _Heinrich's_ egotism demanded a victim. Accident had thrown one into his hands in the person of Ottilie. _Heinrich's_ resolution was firm.

He knew that if Ottilie became his protectress at the court of N---- his power would be unbounded and immovable; for he did not doubt that with her intellect she must succeed in ruling the prince as well as the country. In any case, his influence over her was more a.s.sured than it could be over a princess who was a stranger to him; so a marriage with the latter must be prevented at any cost: it might baffle all his hopes. When he pa.s.sed through the antechamber, his plan was already formed, and around his lips played the triumphant smile which was always visible when he guided men like puppets. Every preparation was immediately made for the journey:

”Anton,” said _Heinrich_, during the packing, ”didn't you see anything of Princess Ottilie on your way through H----?”

”No, Herr Baron. She seldom drives out, for she is much worse than she used to be.”

”Anton, for Heaven's sake, do me the favor not to tell any one that! Do you hear? Finish the packing, and then go this very night to the Hohmeier'sche Restaurant; there you will find the valet of the prince's confessor, Ehrhardt,--they will point him out to you if you ask for him; join him as if by chance. Tell him about H----, and turn the conversation upon the Princess Ottilie. Then say what you know of her beauty, her piety, etc. See that you have as many listeners as possible,--the more the better. Speak of her hair, her eyes, but especially her generosity; in short, make their mouths water, but do not allow any design to be perceived.”

”I understand, Herr Baron,” said Anton, smiling. ”I'll manage as carefully as possible, and to-morrow the whole city shall be full of the princess's praises.”

”That is right, my old friend. I don't think you forgot anything in the village,” said _Heinrich_, well pleased.

He wanted to see Cornelia again, but the evening was spent in making various preparations for his journey, and his plan of obtaining Ottilie for the prince required thought and time for consideration. He would compensate himself for the sacrifice after his return, and meantime devote himself entirely to his mission. ”How am I to appear before her?--how am I to woo her for another without offending her, when I know that she has loved me, perhaps does still?” This question engrossed his mind, and its difficulties had a peculiar charm for him.

In the course of the evening a court official brought a bill of exchange for five thousand florins for ”Count Ottmar's steward, Albert Preheim.” The prince had given him this sum from his own private purse as a sort of compensation for his sufferings. He would not allow himself to be humbled by _Heinrich's_ proud reserve, and thus made amends for the injustice which had thrown Albert entirely upon _Heinrich_ for a.s.sistance.

Albert's joy knew no bounds, but his grat.i.tude to _Heinrich_, whom he considered the indirect cause of this favor, was even greater. Thus they set out on their journey, Albert and Anton as happy men, while he to whom both owed their good fortune, whom both loved and honored, knew no happiness, no peace, dest.i.tute of support in himself, and unsympathizing even towards those to whom he showed kindness. Already the city lay behind him. He looked back towards Cornelia's house, from thence the dawn would crimson the horizon, from thence his sun would rise to pour light and warmth upon him, and with foreboding longing he gazed over the snow-covered fields towards the golden streaks in the east. The morning air blew icily over his brow; here and there under the snow lay dry branches of frozen weeds; not a bird, not an insect, was stirring far or near: frozen nature was silently awaiting the spring. It was even so with him. His mission, his petty intrigues, everything at that moment retreated into the background, and covered itself with the icy mantle of eternal indifference. From that strip of light life must come to rescue him and lure fresh germs from the frozen clods. The rising sun threw its rosy glimmer into his eyes till they filled with tears; it seemed as if they flowed from his own breast, as if his own feelings and not the light had called them forth, and he might shed more. But he was mistaken, for when he turned his eyes from the dazzling rays the treacherous fountain dried. The unfeeling man could not weep: the blessing of tears was denied him; and the vanished spell left the egotist cold and unsatisfied.

XIII.

A SACRIFICE.

Directly after his arrival, _Heinrich_ went to Ottilie's physician to make inquiries about the state of her health. It was of importance to himself to be correctly informed in this respect; for it would have been very useless to base his ambitious plans upon one doomed to an early death. With her, these, and perhaps even the favor of the prince, might sink into the grave; since he had described her as healthy, the responsibility would fall upon him if she died. The physician, it is true, said that she was delicate, but, according to the principles of the old school, declared that her illness was a nervous one; and _Heinrich_ boldly requested a private audience with Ottilie to obtain her consent before he presented himself to the Prince of H---- as an amba.s.sador.

As he pa.s.sed through the antechamber, a fair-haired little waiting-maid issued from Ottilie's room, glided by, starting violently as she caught sight of him, and disappeared through a side door. _Heinrich_ perceived with astonishment that it was Roschen. The servant ushered him into the reception-room. The uniform, unvarying stream of hot air from a Russian stove vibrated around him with suffocating sultriness, increased by the fragrance of numberless flowers grouped in hot-house fas.h.i.+on in the lofty windows of stained gla.s.s. The heavy carpets and portieres exhaled warmth; it seemed to _Heinrich_ as if his lungs were bursting with the longing for a breath of fresh air. He dreaded this first meeting, for in Ottilie's presence his insolent frivolity deserted him, and he stood before her as if she were his conscience. The fervent heat and deathlike stillness that surrounded him increased his embarra.s.sment.

There is something strange in the official silence of royal apartments, which rouses the greatest excitement and impatience in any one who is anxiously awaiting an important audience. This was the case with _Heinrich_. He wished to repeat what he was to say to Ottilie, but could no longer remember it. ”How shall I appear before her?” was his only thought; and the polished courtier feared this great soul whose prophetic vision had penetrated his inmost heart, and which he now approached like a thief, to try to steal it for his own plans.

A clock struck twelve, and was answered from every side by a mult.i.tude of larger and smaller ones, whose buzzing and humming lasted several minutes; then all was silent as before. _Heinrich_ uttered a deep sigh.

Why did she linger so long? Was she, too, obliged to collect her thoughts, and could she not obtain the composure needed to receive him?

”Oh, G.o.d! if she should love me still!” he thought, wiping the cold perspiration from his brow.

Just then a door opened noiselessly,--he did not notice it,--and Ottilie floated across the room as lightly as if her feet did not touch the carpet.

_Heinrich_ started as if roused from a dream, when, beautiful as a glorified spirit, she stood before him. Both looked at each other a moment in silence neither could find words; their souls were too full for the narrow forms of speech.

At last Ottilie held out her hand to him, and there was deep sadness in her expression as she said, ”Is it really you?”