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The Malady of the Century

The Malady of the Century

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Chapter 1 MOUNTAIN AND FOREST.

Word Count: 9877    |    Released on: 29/11/2017

rs, melancholy Eynhardt, combines obstinacy with wisdom, like B

me one with wise forethought had so designed that only the most tremendous shaking could upset its equilibrium. The boisterous group consisted of five or six young men, easily recognized as students by their caps with colored bands, the scars on their faces, and their rather swagge

u won't go any further?" asked he, with an

ermined," Eynh

ey groaned three times loudly, all together, while the Rhinelander gravely beat time. An unpracticed ear

Freedom is the best thing in life-incl

e where he is going to turn h

appointment, and we should

and the Rhinel

that the whole world is as much a phantom as the brown Black Forest maiden. And now farewell; and th

they now parted gayly, in youth's happy fullness of life and hope for the future, and without any of that secret melancholy which Time the immeasurable distils into every parting. Hardly had they turned their backs on the friend they left behind them w

n a signboard, festooned with freshly-cut carpenter's shavings, beckoned invitingly to them, and here the young men halted. The view from this place was particularly beautiful. The road made a kind of terrace halfway up the mountain, on one side rising sheer up for a hundred feet to its summit, thickly wooded all the way, on the other side sloping to the wide valley, where the Gutach flowed, at times tumbling over rough stones, or again spreading itself softly like oil, through flat meadow land. Below lay the little town of Hornberg, with its crooked streets and alleys, its stately square, framing an old church, several inns, and prosperous-looking houses and shops. Beyond the valley rose a high, steep hill, with a white path climbing in zigzags through its wooded sides. On the summit a white house with many windows was perched, seeming to hang perpendicularly a thousa

all, not to turn back till they had bathed in the Boden-see. As every persuasion was powerless to alter Eynhardt's decision, they separated, and the

had not been shaded by a dark brown silky beard, which had never known a razor. It was an entirely uncommon type, recalling in profile, Antinous, and the full face reminding one of the St. Sebastian of Guido Roni in the museum of the Capitol; a face of the noblest manhood, without a single coarse feature. His manner, although quiet, gave the impression of keen enthusiasm, or, more rightly speaking, of unworldly inspiration. All who saw him were powerful

hin a ruined wall, shading an airy lattice-work building, in which on a raised wooden floor stood a table and some benches. Several people, evidently guests at the hotel, sat there drinking wine and beer, and eying the newcomer curiously. The burly landlord, in

oking on to the valle

is hardly a room free here, and that only in the top story. But to-morrow, or

intment, but only for a moment, the

hort, unceremonious way. "My luggage i

visitors drinking in the kiosk smiled; they were well accustomed to the man. A neat red-cheeked

ught some water, and left him alone. He hung his knapsack on a hook on the wall, opened the little window, and gazed long at the view. Underneath was the open space where he had been

e, and promised himself enjoyable hours of wandering in the

rubs, with occasionally a high, solitary pine tree, and near to the west and south walls half-withered oaks and mighty beeches stood thickly. Here and there from the bushes peeped up bare pieces of crumbling stone and broken pieces of mortar, in whose crevices hung long grasses, and where yellow, white, and red flowers nestled. Climbing, stumbling, and slipping, he worked his way through this wilderness, the length and breath of which he wished to inspect so as to discover a place where he could rest quietly, when he suddenly came to a pre

u hurt y

om his clothes, and taking off his cap said, "Thanks, not much. Only a

t; but that

ression, and a pair of lively brown eyes. A healthy color was in her cheeks, and in the well-cut, seductive little mouth. Her luxuriant, golden-brown hair, in the fashion of the day, was brushed back in long curls. She had as her only ornament a pale gold band in her hair, and wore a simple dress of light-flowered materi

uce myself. My name is Wilhelm Eynhardt. I come from Berl

n we are neighbors. That is very nice. And

otheens

a clear laugh deepened t

" asked Wilhelm,

in quarter, and as a student-

in English is better and truer, as there 'student' is used where we should say scholar (gelehrter). Schola

ond of English, and am quite accustomed to it, as I spent a great part of my time in England when I was

enough for that," said

I think English is much more uncommon. Fluent English in a G

; "it might happen that one had w

little at this rather unkind o

in a foreign language with a fellow-country-woman without any necess

e visitors at the hotel are English. I dare say you have noticed it already. But they are not the best sort. They are common city people, w

eat was a projecting piece of stone, which had been converted by a soft covering of moss into a delightful resting-place. An overhanging bush shaded it pleasantly. In front lay a corner of the castle; across a smooth piece of turf and through a wide gap i

sketches by your feeling for natural beauty

, and without asking leave began to improve upon it, strengthening a line here, lightening a shadow and giving greater breadth, and then growing deeply interested in his work, he sat down without ceremony on the mossy ban

m speak she went on, "and by your appearance I had taken you for a student! But you are not in the least like a student, nor

little one, but I have always observed much and painted a good deal myself, and originally I thought of devoting myself to an artist's career

he said, wi

an girl of gypsy descent. Through this grandmother, whom I never knew, I am related by remote genealogical

compliment in good part

Indian, I have French blood in my veins. My father's

e consciousness that half an hour earlier neither of them had an idea of the other's existence, by the appearance of a girl in the gap in the wall, who seemed very much surprised at the sight of their evident

th a naive surprise, which left no ro

se peaks were already clothed with the orange hue of twilight; then she looked alternatel

y here?" asked the young lady o

nly," he ans

ll be glad to make your acquaintance. I did not

to recognize the name, she said rather

be sure to know my father's name-Councilor

n inclination of her head. He betook himself to his room in a dream, and while he recalled to his mind the picture of her beautiful face, and the clear ring of her voice, he thought how grateful he was to this chance, that not only had he become acquainted with the girl, but that he had avo

he Gutach with its little town of Hornberg, and the mountains lying beyond. He hardly noticed the rather silent people at the other tables, in which the English element predominated. He had come in purposely late in the hope of finding Fraulein Ellrich already there. She was not present; but he was not kept long in suspense be

the table where he was sitting, and in a moment Wilhelm was greeting his lovely acquaintance with a low bow. Her quick eyes had already recognized him from the doorway. She returned his greeting smiling and blushing, and as her father nodded kindly, the ice was broken. Wilhelm introduced himself, and the

st disappeared from the top of his head. His chin was clean-shaven, but his well-brushed whiskers and closely-cut mustache showed signs of gray. His light blue eyes were cold and rather tired-looking, at the corners of the mo

elm meeting with Fraulein Ellrich, and on the beauty of the ne

d it for quiet than Switzerla

nchor himself here. When they questioned him, he gave them some information about Heidelberg and his journey to Hornberg. Frau Ellr

e an abiding success in art must be a blind copyist of nature. Certainly the personal peculiarities of an artist often please his contemporaries. It is the fashion to do him honor if he flatters the prevailing direction of taste. But those of the race who follow after, scorn what those before them have admired, and exactly what those of one time have prized as progressive innovat

in astonishment, while her parent

ible language lay written there. The form of things, and also every so-called accident of form, appeared to me to be the necessary expression of something within, which was hidden from me. The wish arose in me to penetrate behind the visible f

Art School were not wast

natural objects it is most valuable to

are such charming accomplishments, an

singing are still more

ll," cried Fraulein El

ered Wilhe

upon him, and a

broke this wit

a doctor of ph

s,

icular department?

istry and physics, and I think o

lectricity, galvanism, magnetism-those are all new faculties very little kn

things. It has not yet given me the key, but it is something to know on what insecure, weak, and limited exper

looked at him

nhardt, and it must be a great

I suppose?" remarked Herr Ellrich, tu

the men who teach such things with so much influence and conviction, and I am very grateful to them for initiating me into their methods and power of working properly. But there has never been a likelihood of my venturing to approach young men

till the one practical goal for a man who studies physics. Forgive me if I express

which makes it unnecessary f

dly way, while his wife cast a quick glance over Wilhelm's c

tward appearance," her good-natured glance, hal

ing for a time the Margrave's wines, the south German cookery, the Black Fore

me for tomorrow yet? She is our maitr

lou. "Papa and mamma love quiet; I like movin

e harmonized if Loulou subordinated her inclinations to h

afternoon, we can arrange that later. Perhaps Dr.--" She stopped

ery kind of yo

id that I might

mother and daughter together, and

meant cordially, and his fear of ob

wn the wooded slopes, as till now she had been obliged to go without such escort. Herr Ellrich liked to take his holiday in a different way from the ladies. If he felt obliged to take exercise he would borrow the landlord's gun and dogs and shoot. At other times he would lie down anywhere on a

he perfumed air of the pine woods, and the rest of the time she devoted to a voluminous correspondence, which seemed to be her one passion. Thus Loulou was alone nearly always in the morning, and fr

itting-room, my winter garden, my aviary, my parrots and blackbirds." A heavy trial had befallen her-the only trial that she had yet experienced. She had been sent to England for the completion of her education, and had to suddenly part from all her home surroundings. She stayed there for three years with an aunt who had married an English banker. The visit proved delightful, and she grew to love England enthusiastically. She drove and rode, and even followed the hounds. In winter there was the pantomime at Drury Lane, the flights to St. Leonards, Hastings, Leamington, the mad rides across country through frosted trees b

her laughing brown eyes, at her roguish dimples, and instantly he pleaded with his cooler reason for pardon for the lovely girl-he for nineteen year

asked timidly as she paus

laugh, and Wilhelm felt as if an iron band had been lift

of society-seeing so many people-so attracti

y fancy has been often

r heart

N

n a tone of voice in which, h

me. He was thin and pale with long hair, much longer than yours. And he spoke very beautifully and powerfully-I felt sentimental when I thought of him. But I soon got to know his wife, who was as

to his birthplace hardly a German, but a Russian, a

re now tw

frightened at suc

r-particularly for a man," she

a calm observance of duty and a mother's love for his children. "My mother was a remarkable woman. She had dark eyes and hair, and an enthusiastic and devoted expression in her face, which made me feel sad, as a child, if I looked at her for long. She spoke little, and then in a curious mixture of German and Russian. Strangely enough, she always called herself a German, and spoke Russian like a foreigner; but later, when we went to Berlin, she discovered that she was really a Russia, and alwa

nasium. This house was now Wilhelm's property. "We children liked Berlin very much. I soon became independent and self-reliant, after school hours wandering in the streets as much as I pleased, and used to make eager explorations in all directions, coming home enraptured when I had found a beautiful neighborhood, a stately house, a statue of some general in bronze or marble. I used to take Blondchen by the hand, and show her my discovery. The Friedrichstadt with its straight streets interested us very much; I had a fancy that the houses were marshaled in battalions, as if by an officer on parade, and that when he gave the word 'March,' they would suddenly walk away in step, like the soldiers on the parade ground. I explained this to my sister, and often when we were in our own street she would call out 'March!' to see if the long row of houses would not begin to move. However, we liked the old part of Berlin better, w

is because I have not my Blondchen any longer. On one of our wandering excursions we were caught in a heavy shower of rain,

the dispirited and sorrowful old father, whom he never left except for his three years' military service in the field. Then the father, to shorten the time of

ith her eyes wet. Had he understood the look, and been of a bold nature, he would have clasped the girl to his breast and kissed her. Her red lips would have made scarcely any resistance. But the confusion of mind passed quickly, the light afternoon sunshi

tain

become an

, only a 'viz

fought in

ork, Skalitz, Konigin

lly interesting. And have you

very soldier to kill a man. He does his duty i

otographs of you

her surpris

, w

uestion had curled at the corners of

nto battle with your curls, or whether

t offended, bu

pearances give you t

angry, I am

ng so as to save myself the trouble of going to the hairdresser's. If

ich she immediately perceived to be unsuitable, and to get over her embarrassment, she jumped at another subject

e academy, and the university. But I do not count much on th

is

d is Assistant of Chemistry

ice

, y

old i

ear older

is he

lm sm

ood deal of appearance, and always knows what sort of ties are worn. He dances well, and is very pleased if people take him for an officer in civilian's c

arcely as my friends speak of me," and she quietly added: "N

ab

introduce

d be mos

the world. Only on one point was she unenlightened, and this she hastened to

touched yet. Would it be right if I

truthfully assure you I have never been in

ne been in lo

t the distance,

yet o

le stab at her

tell me

ul story-it happ

re only a c

d me was a child too.

with an involunta

t me go to sleep for a little.' An old servant who had followed her came up and said in astonishment, 'Well, young sir, you may be proud of yourself, the child is generally so wild and rough, and with you she is as tame as a kitten.' I learned from her that little Sonia lived in the neighborhood, and that her aunt had come to look for her in our house. She would not go away from me, and the old servant had to call her mother, who only persuaded her to return home with great difficulty. She wanted to take me with her, and she was miserable when they told her that my mamma would not allow me. The next morning early she was there again, and called to me from the t

h a little girl to fall in love so suddenly

ly, so unconsciously, that they both felt as if they were awaking from a dream, as Loulou a minute later freed herself from his burning lips and encircling arms, and Wilhelm, confused and hardly master of his senses, stood before her. They turned silently

me, Loulou? I l

" she answered, and stret

ther, my own Loulou?" wh

not here. You do not know my parents wel

and took leave of her with an eloque

tes elapsed before the sounds reached his ears, although he sat close to the speakers. The waiters and hotel guests looked odd, and seemed to swim in a kind of rosy twilight. In the sky there seemed to be three times as many stars as usual. When the Ellrichs had withdrawn he went toward midni

r brush could do it. You will see her and worship her. Oh, Paul, I could shout and jump or cry like a child. It is too foolish, and yet so unspeakably splendid, I can hardly understand how the d

LHE

post brought this an

e! Nevertheless you have fallen completely in love with her, for which I wish you happiness with all my heart. I do not doubt that she loves you, because I should have been in love with you long ago if I had been a sweet brown maiden, you shockingly beautiful man. One thing is very like you, you say no word on what would most interest a

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their eyes always fixed on one another, their hands as often as possible clasped in each other's. All the people in the hotel noticed it, and were pleased about it, so natural did it seem that this handsome couple should be united by love. The chambermaid, rosy Bertha, saw what was going on with her sly peasant's eye, and by way of making herself agreeable used to whis

d for the present thought a decision useless. The projected visit to Ostend was hastened by some ten days. At dinner he made his decision known, adding, "You have pleased yourselves for three weeks, and now I want you to wait so long to please me." Wilhelm felt bitterly grieved that no one invited him to go to the fashionable watering-place, and Loulou even did not seem particularly miserable. The fact was, that at the bottom of her not very sentimental nature, she did not take the leaving of the Schloss hotel as a matter of great importance, and Ostend with its balls and concerts, its casino and lively society, was not in the least alarming to her. She found the opportunity that evening of consoling Wilhelm, and promised him always to think about him, and to write to him very often, and said she could not be very miserable about their separation, as she felt so happy at the thought

ur love. And in a moment it will be gone. Shall we ever be so happy again? If w

let him take her answe

ou's eyes were wet. Frau Ellrich smiled in a motherly way at Wilh

in Berlin at the

d become empty. He stayed a few days longer at the Schloss hotel, and cherished the remembrance of his time there with Loulou, dre

raulein Ellrich is one of the first 'parties' in Berlin? That the little god of love will make you a present of two million thalers? You have shot your bird, and I am most happy

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ner. It might have influenced his manner so much as to spoil his relations wit

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