Withered Leaves. Vol. III.(of III)

inter, which sketched its fr

which had long since gathered the blosso

am, will conquer her love for the bright day of the present; yes, for the endurance of a life time. He did not strive to obtain the renewal of former affection; she had from the very f

disposed blindly to follow his heart's inclination; he could even not suppress a soft warning voice of suspicion, which he was obliged to term ungrateful, be

laurels? How many phenomena of theatrical fame do but shine through a dim vapour which the repute of their evil habits of life s

rence; everywhere he had friends and acquaintances who were familiar with art and theatrical life. Immediately after the performance of "Norma," when the thought first was kindled within him of calling this beautiful woman his own, he had written to all these people to obtain information as to the actress' life and cha

re exposed in her artistic career; nor did she conceal a feeling, which caused her uneasiness, the conviction that the epoch of her glory was at an end, and that the decadence of her voice was making its announcement gently but perceptibly. Surely ther

l. It was that which bound Giulia to the wintry provincial town, when s

s visits; if she denied herself to them as soon as he was present, or received him at a time when she was inaccessible to others; in so doing she obeyed no decree of prudence which counselled her not

, when, with half-closed languid eyes, he buried himself in the rich stores of his mental life; but then they would suddenly flash and open, and gleam with passion and manly power. In all else he was in perfect harmony; his figure symmetrical, the well-bred smile upon his lips, full of intellectual superiority; his conversation, in earnest and in jest, combined sweetness and charm. As Desdemona to Othello's tales, Giulia listened to the descriptions of the adventures which Blanden had met with in distant lands and oceans, he raised her imagination far above the painted decorations of theatr

itself in her life: a shoal upon which all h

er, which, clutched convulsively, never granted a firm hold; sometimes she rose to the daring venture of defying those rocks and trying if the high storm-lashed billow

ts of Spiegeler's ma

intercourse with her, but without bearing any ill-will remained one of her most zealous adorers. Now, when her enemies roused themselves, he sought her out again, and, like a troubadour, devoted his lyre to the noble lady. He read

f Giulia's followers. She was heartily grateful to him for it, because she perceived that his

rm friendliness of the singer seemed to him like scorn; from day to day he hoped for a more passionate return. Constantly renewed disappointment embittered him. His character was somewhat violen

hen Blanden met the Italian again in the street. Arrested

ten importuned her with petitions, as he had once performed some great service out of gratitude for which she had taken him under her protection. Then she broke off the conversation,

Giulia had a long conve

how happy I was when he, fettered by illness or misfortune of long duration, the veil of which he will n

ugged her

r brilliant receipts, we

would give up everything if

everything at once; he also prefers

e clever and cunning, Beate! Try once more if you cannot set me free. I have no more ideas, no

se patience. But if it continue

Beate! Pra

r's cave, late at night--for at an earlier hour he could not be

ne much for me, make

ull his mane; he should do nothing to me. But he will reject my

d, if he became a subject of this country--we could appeal to j

e down here--then it would always be well to possess proofs that may be turned against him, but it will be diff

ot know why the pictures of my life crowd like feverish visions around me. I seem to hear the sound of bells in the days of my childhood; I see myself, dressed, go with the other children over high hills to the pilgrims' chapel; then another bell ringing sounds in my ea

ening; she felt in harmony with the part, to hers

and was admitted; Beate hid her dark curls

he bandit, I mus

er always awoke grueso

, "Probably so

"the mask is not wanting, bu

from her friend, and w

ned to the directions with lowered eyelids and humble obedience, but at heart she had decided differently. She knew that Bland

, servant to Lieutenant Buschmann, had invited her to dance there with him for a little while, and had pr

choly, Blanden i

steel, was covered with clouds, and heavy dense snow-flakes, whic

ents, had been brought in by Antonie, who was then graciously di

thing bore the impress of domestic comfort, to which the bu

in his smoky hut, the dweller in Kamskatka who has unharnessed his dogs, fe

the hearth, so do fading dreams stir in our souls, and often burst once more in

yet lost the spell of their magic power; familiar communication fro

heart; how everything within her urged her to suc

ns which his passing remark had roused. How light her heart would have been if she

one candid word could destroy her whole future. Perhaps she might still succeed in

was made upon them by the picture of an artist in chains and fetters--oh

f the damp air wafted through the casemates of the Spie

a deeply melancholy impression, surrounded as it is by the waves of a beautiful lake, and granting a view of the peaks, high as heaven, of the Savoy alps, which rise in the air like a fort

my freedom f

rt yearns and c

bird that has

s sight is the

f these lines, in the tone of her voice, it was like the cry of distress

the beautiful woman to his heart, and

nocked, and simultaneousl

oted to the ground; his bold attack, upon which he had staked his last hope, had been shamefully frus

like fire, and he stamped his

e and door key to the latter's care. Under some pretence the officer's cunning servant had left the ball for a

ederich was once more dancing merr

sofa, and stepped defian

he right to intrude h

e or cunning can he have obtaine

d her face wi

eless, sir!" cried Bl

eived us all; I owe it to the favour of chance that I have torn from her t

ith firm determination, "I have the right to bid you d

Giulia sank into

"[1] said Buschmann scornfully, as he turned upon his

Blanden with large tearful eyes, her hand raised as

orld," cried Blanden with, overwhelmi

cious, acquiescent, infinitely bliss

" whispered she