The Nameless Castle

rely her own. On this day she addressed Ludwig with the familiar "thou," as she had been wont to do when he had taught her to walk. She

faint rosy hues of morning glimmered through the jalousie, he would fly to the head of her bed. Then the cats would come with their gratulations, but not until their little mistress had leaped

d a tall folding screen. When she stepped forth again, she had on a gorgeous Chinese-silk wrapper, covered all over with gay-colo

ich some one placed on her table every night while she slept. To-day Marie did not amuse herself with her guests, but turned ove

me

entered wa

et ready for the dr

toward him, and flung her arms wi

g must be done as I say; and I say that we will pass the time of the drive here in my room, and that thou shalt answer several silly questions

d his head, but spoke not one word. There are g

ay, and thou art my sole subject. Sit

on the ottoman, and drew her feet u

loor the volume she had cast there. "I know every one of the four volumes b

ey are medi

t thou read

e castle become ill, I may be able t

n die who is ill an

lly the end of

t hurt

to tell, as I ha

st read about them; thou knowest! What is death like? Is it more unpleasant than a disagreeable dream? Is the pain all over wh

such strang

as long as possible," returned Ludwig, evading t

world?" inter

race and their hab

f earth? Where is the plot which

ject. "I have not yet told thee that I intend to buy a lovely plot of ground on the shore of the l

ly. That plot of ground, then, will be our h

led the fa

ntry is not one

es live there

are en

th whom we

r yet seen anything like it

e angry with thee, and I never

ns do who become ang

ry angry they fight; and if they are v

ay. She drew a pin from her robe, and sec

doing?" he aske

art like when thou art

rt me; see, the

ror, drew the young man's head towar

ace pale as death, extreme h

Thou dost not kill me, and yet

nger," sighed

is it,

as no

test me kiss thee last year, and th

fifteen year

and always before that, is not allowed

hts are fille

h on my birthday, and that it has always been granted. That i

have always b

and a bird! Two years ago I wished I might learn how to make pictures; and I was given paper patterns to color with water-colors. One year ago to-day I wished I might learn how to make music; and a hand-organ was bought for me. Oh, yes; my wishes have always been fulfilled, but al

be, thou shalt

t I asked thee not long ago to send to

rrived? I myself delivere

a Melusine costume

, and stood in front of the speechless young man in one of those costumes worn by Paris dames at the sea

lt teach me how to swim. The lake i

e of those fairy-like creatures in Shakspere's "Midsumme

embarrassed, Ludw

me?" inquired the child, h

g the garment from the sofa and with it veiling the

se in me. What a delicious sensation to swim through the water-to make wings of one's arms and fly like a bird! Since we live in this castle the wish has become stronger. Night after night I dream that I am cleaving through the waves. I never see God's sky when I go out, because I have to cover my face. It is just like looking at creation through a grating! I should love dearly to sing and shout for joy; but I dare not,

ights of which she had spoken. Perhaps, too, he had related to Marie the story of Clelia a

hee pleases me," he said, ext

vain the young man sought to withdraw the hand she covered with kisses.

hou art fifteen years old! A grown-

his brow and sighed heavil

day thou dost not belong to thy horrid books nor

res to learn to swim, I must have a bath-house built on the s

myself, may not I go beyond the litt

ns. One is that I may

eep very n

wilt not swim beyond those willows which conceal the cove. Onl

not I venture

o distinguish features after night. Other

ave one in t

ccupant. A lady has ta

Is she

is yo

ugh the telescope? What

ond

pretty. May I take a

l in love with her; for she is

hou know sh

and the poor, and because s

never go

lief from that acknowledged by tho

to a different

pray to th

n't we all go to

wig took the shrewd little child-head

of the four quarters of the globe could answer th

end money to the poor children on my birthday. Come, tell me which of the heaps I shall send to-day-these small coins, or these large ones? If thou thinkest I ought to send these little yellow ones, I have no

" were silver Zwanziger; and the "large red ones" were copper m

the large ones," decided Ludwig, smiling at the