The Nameless Castle

was part of the lake; and it may have been true, for Neusiedl Lake is a very capricious body of water. During the past two decades

They cultivated wheat and maize, and for many years harvested two crops a year. Suddenly the lake took a notion to occupy its old bed again; and when the water had resumed its former level, fields and far

le was a little cove. One of these the count had spoken of to Ma

e, stood on the slope of a hill at the eastern end of the vil

down and the marvelous tints of the evening sky were reflected in the water, a small boat speed out from the cove on the farther side o

anda of the manor was that a girlish fo

driads. Already after the fourth lesson she could swim alone,

riends-they knew each other well. When she wished to rest, she would turn her face to the sky, fold her arms across her breast, and lie on the waves as among swelling cushions like a child in a rocking cradle. And here she was allowed the full privileges of a child. She shout

steps would tire her so that she would have to stop and rest. She had become unused to walking. But here in the water she moved about like a Naiad; her whole being was transformed; she lived! Then, when her guardian

mong the peculiarities of Neusiedl Lake are its numerous islets, the shores of which are thickly grown with rushes, and covered with broo

the open world of waves as she desired, only now and again

azed dreamily into the depths of the starry sky, and listened to the mysterious voices of

ed with the mysterious voices of

s oars, and the canoe shot through th

and began to form a gigantic V. Evidently the little maid was impelled by desperate terror to reach the protecting canoe. When s

the girdle about her waist and lifting her into t

gasped for breath, unable to speak; only her large eyes w

could see nothing. And yet, after a

it? Man

ir like the fur of an otter. The long, pointed ears stood upright. The mouth was closed so tightly that the lips were invisibl

ter had risen quite

e water. The creature had vanished underneath the boat, and only the motion of the water on the

treasure? Even the bottom of the lake concealed her enemies! He could think

in her bath-mantle,

muttered to himself, "hunt up this cre

thing which sounded

creature!" repeate

, and said nothing further; she even strove to suppress he

change her bathing-dress, and became very impatient when she lingered longer than us

shoot that creature?" ask

es

e it is a h

ll certainl

ever again ventu

become frightened in the water, y

owful glance at the glittering expanse of water, at the paradise

charge to the door of her room. "Cover yourself up well, a

was not to be wondered at if Marie declared she did not fe

r. The staring fish-eyes rose before her in the darkness. Then she saw Ludwig with his gun searchin

e from her restless slu

are you

Marie had discovered this. She had placed a rose-leaf on the silken coverlet every evening, and found it s

han usual. He did not speak once during th

All the same, it was a living creature, and must become food for fishes. Marie, however, prayed so fervently that nothing might come of Ludwig's fury that Heaven heard the prayer. The weather changed suddenly in the afternoon. A cold west wind succeeded to the warm August sunshine;

she might dream again of horrible things. The heavy rain

h! just think of crossing the lonely court, or going through the dark woods! Ugh-h! how horrible it must be there now! And then, t

ectly afterward there came a

!" she called joyfully. S

y, and the voice which began to spea

!" (thus he address

do you want? You may c

nd him. He was a tall, gray-haired man, wit

enry? Did the

I only wish h

is the matt

indeed! I belie

? Lu

dame; my

ke, tell me w

is flushed, his eyes gleam like hot coals, and he is ta

n! what sh

what to do; but he does n't seem able to cure himself now; the c

doctor in t

; the county

must be s

but I did not like t

y n

ger into his room, or into madame's. He told me I must never admit within the castl

say he may die? Merciful God! Ludw

ill madame

e to fetch the doctor,

must not even thi

t he is ill unto death. I am goi

count will kill

t do it you will

true, too

do what is necessary. I will put on

Just listen, madam

t cudgel, while I am putting on my pattens. If Ludwig should get angry, I shall be on hand t

I do it at your command, madame. If madame is really determined

ut of bed, run into the court, and take a cold that would certainly be his death. No; we must go on f

tall man, and carried a lantern in the other. Her companion held over her, to protect her from the pouring rain, a large red umbrella, and ste