Das landhaus am Rhein. English

by Berthold Auerbach

  CHAPTER VI.

  THE BROKEN-OFF TWIG.

  While Sonnenkamp was carrying on the arrangements for the trial byjury, Pranken returned looking ill; and, on Sonnenkamp's urging him totell him what was the matter, he drew forth the letters from hispocket.

  He first laid before him the one in which he had been notified by themarshal of the Prince's household, that it was impossible for him, aschamberlain to his Highness, to retain any connection with a man whohad not only forfeited his honor, but had behaved so wrongly towardsthe Prince, that the question was still being agitated whether heshould not be openly arraigned on a charge of high treason.

  Sonnenkamp trembled, but laughed at the same time, in a way peculiar tohimself.

  "Let me see the letter again," said he.

  He read it; then, giving it back in silence, asked what the otherletter contained.

  Pranken said it was yet more decided; and handed him the document ofthe military court of honor, calling upon him to give up allintercourse with Sonnenkamp.

  "And what do you intend to do?" asked Sonnenkamp. "I release you."

  "I shall stand by you," replied Pranken.

  Sonnenkamp embraced him. There was a pause, a strange silence betweenthese two men.

  "I defy them all," exclaimed Pranken; "but here is another letter. Itis for you," giving him the letter of the Cabinetsrath.

  Sonnenkamp read it.

  The document was drawn up in very polite terms, and contained therequest that he would travel for a time, until an opportunity shouldoffer for putting down the party which was now urging his indictmentbefore a court on a charge of treason.

  "Do you know the purport of this letter?" he asked.

  "Certainly. The Heir Cabinetsrath chose to give it to me unsealed."

  "And what do you advise?"

  "I second his request."

  A convulsive twitching passed over Sonnenkamp's face.

  "Prudent, very prudent," he said to himself. "You wish to banish me,and retain my estate."

  A horror began "to creep over him as he saw a vision of himself seatedin prison; but he drove it off.

  "So you are of the same opinion?"

  "Yes. But, before you leave for any length of time, allow me to pointout a means by which you may earn new honors for us both."

  "Is there such a means?"

  "Yes. I have already told you that there is another faction, quiet butpowerful, which is ours, and we, or, rather, you, have the means ofbinding it to you yet more closely."

  And now Pranken told how he had promised to be present, almostimmediately, at a council held by the nobles of this ecclesiasticalprovince (which extended beyond the limits of the principality), in thearchiepiscopal palace. The proceedings of this convocation were to bestrictly confidential. Its object was to confer on the ways and meansof rendering the Pope military assistance.

  "You do not intend entering the papal army?" asked Sonnenkamp.

  "I would, if I were not bound by the ties of duty, of honor, of love,to remain here at my post."

  "That is fine, very fine. Excuse my interruption. And why do you impartthis to me? I am not of the nobility, and have no place in thiscouncil."

  "You belong to them, and will be present."

  "I belong to them? I shall be present?"

  "I will be brief. You will give a sum sufficient for the formation of aregiment, and I can assure you, I have security for your being not onlyunmolested, but crowned with honors."

  "And, having given the money, can I remain here in honor?" Sonnenkampsaid with a smile.

  "It would be better, if you were absent for a time."

  A look of exultation passed over the face of the questioner. This wasbetter still, he thought. They wished to deprive him at once of aportion of his property, and to get rid of him, into the bargain. Helooked at Pranken with an expression of great friendliness, and said,--

  "Excellent! Does the priest of this parish know of this?"

  "No. I have won over the Dean of the cathedral, though?"

  "Will you allow me to send for the Priest?"

  "Certainly, I will bring him myself."

  "No! Remain here."

  He gave through the speaking-tube an order that the Priest should berequested to come to him; then, turning again to Pranken, said,--

  "And so you second the request? Most excellent! They sell blacks,buying whites instead, and the whites become snow-white. They evenbecome saints."

  "I do not understand you."

  "Very likely. I am only pleased at the excellent arrangement of thisworld. My young friend, I believe that the thing called virtue istaught by means of a system in the Universities: they have a system ofmorality. We, my young friend, will work out a system of criminality.We will establish a chair in the University: Thousands of auditors willcome flocking around us, whom we alone can instruct in the Truth, thereal Truth. The world is magnificent! It must nominate me for theprofessorship of worldly wisdom, which is a science differing widelyfrom the idea hitherto entertained of it. It is time that this moralrouge should be rubbed off. I know, thus far, but one human being whomI shall admit as my colleague into this faculty, and that one, alas! isa woman; but we must overcome this prejudice also. Magnificent!"

  "You have not yet told me whether you accede to the plan"--

  "Have I not? My young friend, you cannot yet become a professor. Youare still a school-boy, learning the elements, the rudiments. I wouldfain found a new Rome, and, as once the Rome of Antiquity was peopledwith a community of mere vagabonds, so I would fill my city from thehouses of correction. No nation can equal their inhabitants. They arethe really vigorous men."

  "I do not understand you."

  "You are right," said Sonnenkamp at last in a gentle tone. "We will bevery upright and discreet, very moral and delicate. My young friend, Ihave something very different in view. The mouse-trap of your cathedraldean is too clumsy for me. I shall not snap at this bait cooked inlard."

  Pranken was full of wrath. Sonnenkamp's manner of treating him like aboy still in his school-jacket roused his indignation.

  He stood up very straight, and looked down at himself from head tofoot, to see whether he were indeed a little boy. At last he said,throwing back his head,--

  "Respected father, I beg you to desist from this pleasantry."

  "Pleasantry?"

  "Yes. I have united myself to you--you cannot deny it--with a loyaltythat--I have wished to make you my equal in--no, I did not mean to saythat at such a time--only I must beseech you not to withhold yourconcurrence from this project. We have obligations. We, have greatobligations; and I demand that you should"--

  "Why do you hesitate? Obey! Pray say the word. Yes, my noble youngfriend, I will obey you. It is fine, very fine. What uniform have youchosen? Shall we raise a regiment of cavalry or of infantry? Of course,we will make Roland an officer at once. Better say cavalry: he sitswell on horseback. Look here, revered fanatic, I, too, have my fancy.We will ride over the Campagna. Ha! That is jolly! And we will have thebest arms of the newest sort. I understand a little of that sort ofthing. I have shipped many to America,--more than any of you know. Whatdo you think of my raising the whole regiment in America?"

  "That would be so much the better."

  "Ha, ha, ha!" laughed Sonnenkamp. "A morning dream! They are said to bethe sweetest. Haven't you slept almost enough? Haven't you dreamed outyour dream?"

  Pranken felt as though chains were being wound around and around him.His sensations were those of a man confined in a lion's cave. He mustbe gentle, yielding, conciliatory. He dares not rouse the lion. He mustallow the brute to play with him, expecting every instant to be torn topieces by his claws. Oh for some means of escape!

  Pranken put his hand to his head. What manner of man was this? What didhe want of him?

  Sonnenkamp said, with his hand on the young man's shoulder,--

  "I have nothing against your piety or your pious a
cts. It is to me amatter of indifference; but, my young friend, none of my money shall bethrown to those cowled fellows. Fine economy, that! Manna builds aconvent; you raise a regiment. And is it for this that I have undergoneso much? No, you were only joking; were you not? And now let us say nomore about it. Be shrewd, and deceive those who think themselves themost so. You will find that the daintiest morsel. Ah! There is Mannacoming into the court! We will call her here instantly."

  He called through the speaking-tube that Manna was to come to him atonce.

  Before Pranken had time to say any thing, the door was opened without aknock, and Manna entered.

  "You sent for me, father?"

  "Yes. How did you get on at the convent?"

  "I have taken leave of it forever."

  "Thank you, my child, thank you. You do me good, and you know how muchI need it now. So now let me arrange every thing on the spot. You lookso fresh, so animated! I have never seen you so much so. Herr vonPranken," turning to him, "you see how Manna has freed herself, and Ihave your promise to give up the matter of which we have been speaking;have I not?"

  Pranken made no answer.

  "I did not know that you were here, Herr von Pranken," began Manna,"but now, now it is best that it is so."

  "Certainly," said Sonnenkamp decidedly. "You can have nothing to say tome which our faithful friend may not hear. Sit down."

  He took, according to his wont, a little peg of wood, and began towhittle.

  Manna did not sit down: with her hand on the back of a chair, shesaid,--

  "Herr von Pranken, I wish to prove to you my gratitude for yourfaithful"--.

  "That you will, that you can," interrupted her father, looking up fromhis peg. "It is well. I need joy, I need rest, I need serenity. You areright. A cordial would now be doubly refreshing. Give our friend yourhand now."

  "I give it in farewell."

  "In farewell?" cried Sonnenkamp, making a deep cut in the peg. He wentup to Manna, and caught her hand.

  "Pray, father," she interrupted. "Herr von Pranken, you are a noblemanwhom I honor and esteem. You have proved yourself loyal to my father:as his child, I shall value you, and remember you with gratitude;but"--

  "But what?" demanded Sonnenkamp.

  "I owe it to you to speak the truth. I cannot become your wife. I loveHerr Dournay, and he loves me. We are one; and no power of earth orheaven can part us."

  "_You_ and the teacher, that Huguenot, that word-huckster, thathypocrite? I will strangle him with my own hands, the thief"--

  "Father," returned Manna, drawing herself up to her full height, whilethe heroic courage which shone from her eyes made her appear taller andstronger than she was in reality,--"father, Herr Dournay is a teacherand a Huguenot. It is only your anger that speaks the rest."

  "My anger shall speak no more. You do not know me yet. I stake my lifeon this"--

  "That you will not do, father. We children have enough to bearalready."

  A cry, horrible as that of some monster, burst from Sonnenkamp'sbreast.

  Turning to Pranken, he cried,--

  "Leave us! Herr von Pranken. Leave me alone with her!"

  "No," was the reply. "I will not leave you alone with your daughter. Ihave loved her. I have a right to protect her."

  Sonnenkamp supported himself by grasping the table. A vertigo seemed toseize him, and he cried,--

  "Do you hear, Manna? Do you hear? And will you reject such a nobleman?Revoke your decision, my child; I will implore you on my knees. See,how perverted your mind is! I have enough to bear already. Do not heapthis upon me, too. Look at this man! can you refuse such a one? Manna,you are a sensible, good child. You have only been playing with us; youhave only wished to test us. See, you are smiling. I thank you, Ithank you for this trial. By means of it, you have obtained a freshproof of his nobleness. Manna, there he stands. Take him in your arms.I will gladly die; I will do whatever the world demands: only fulfilthis one request."

  "I cannot, father, I cannot."

  "You can, and you will."

  "Believe me, father"--

  "Believe you?--you, who but lately declared with such firmness, 'I willbecome a nun!' The infirm of purpose cannot be trusted."

  "Father, it pains me unspeakably to be obliged to wound you and Herrvon Pranken thus."

  "Well--it is well: I must bear this too. You can cut my heart out; for,alas! I have a heart. Fie! And is it for this that I have defied theworld, old and new? is it for this that I am thrust out of both,--tocall a hypocritical rascal my son? Oh these philosophers! theseidealists! these humanitarian fanatics! He smuggles himself into myhouse as a tutor, in order to marry millions. Oh, most practicalphilosophers, and rascally liars and hypocrites, into the bargain! Iwill not bear it!"

  He bent his fingers like claws, and moved his hands rapidly, crying,--

  "Give me something to tear in pieces, or I do not know what I shall do.You"--

  Pranken laid his hand on his shoulder. The three stood facing eachother in silence. All breathed hard, but Pranken the hardest.

  Manna endured her father's gaze calmly; but she had no foreboding ofits real meaning. He again called through the speaking tube,--

  "Let Herr Dournay come here."

  Then he went on.

  "Manna, I do not force you; but I desire you to renounce this teacher,Yet more. Did you not tell me that you had sent word to the priest tocome hither?"

  "Certainly: you ordered that he should be summoned."

  "I hear him in the ante-room. Admit him."

  The Priest entered, and Sonnenkamp addressed him thus:--

  "Sir priest, I announce to you, before these witnesses, my resolutionto give my Villa for the foundation of a convent, provided my daughterManna, here, takes the veil, as she has always wished to do."

  Manna could not comprehend this. She could not suspect the cruel gamewhich her father was playing with her, with Pranken, with Eric, withthe Villa, with every thing. She knew not how to help herself, when,just as the Priest, turning toward her, offered his hand, Eric entered.He saw at once what had happened.

  "Do you know who I am?" were the words with which Sonnenkamp turnedupon him.

  Eric bowed.

  "And do you know who this man here is, and this girl? And when you lookinto that mirror, do you know whose image you see?"

  Then, pointing to the wall where the hunting-whip hung, he cried,--

  "And do you know what that is yonder? The back of many a slave"--Hebroke off suddenly:

  Eric looked proudly around him, then said in a calm voice,--

  "To be whipped by men of a certain sort is no dishonor."

  Sonnenkamp gave a hollow groan, and Eric went on--

  "I beseech thee, Manna, to leave the room."

  "_Thee_!--_Manna_!--" yelled Sonnenkamp, and would have sprung uponhim, had not Pranken caught his arm, saying,--

  "Herr Sonnenkamp, if any one here is to demand satisfaction from HerrDournay, I have the first right."

  "Very good!" cried Sonnenkamp, throwing himself into a chair. "Yours isthe revenge, yours the honor, yours the life, and yours every thingelse. Speak yourself; I've nothing more to say."

  "Herr Dournay," began Pranken, "I brought you into this family; and Itold you in so many words what relation I held to the daughter. Up tothis time, I have had a degree of respect for you; and I regret to becompelled to withdraw it."

  Eric jumped up.

  "I shall not challenge you to fight," Pranken continued. "You have puton a coat of mail that makes you invulnerable to me. Your life restsunder Fraeulein Manna's protection, and so your life is inviolable, asfar as I am concerned. This is my last word to you so long as my tonguecan speak. Herr Sonnenkamp, I have one request only to make of you.Give me your hand, promise to grant it to me."

  "I promise you every thing but the regiment, every thing else butthat."

  "Very well: I have your word that you will not harm this man."

  He felt about with trembling hands, and then takin
g out of his pocket alittle book, he handed it to Manna. His voice was filled with emotion,as he said,--

  "Fraeulein Manna, you once gave this to me: the twig is still lying init, and it is bare. Take it again. As this twig, broken off from thetree, can never grow to it again: so am I detached from you and fromevery one here."

  He looked Manna full in the face; and then closed by saying,--

  "Now we are parted forever."

  He drew on his gloves quietly, buttoned them, took up his hat, bowed,and left the room.

  Manna looked after him with a humble glance, and then seized Eric'shand. The two stood before Sonnenkamp, who had covered his face withhis hand, and who now said,--

  "Are you waiting for my blessing? To be horse-whipped by a man like meis no disgrace; and such a man as I am can give no blessing. Go, go! orhave I no longer any right to command, that you remain so motionless?"

  "Herr Sonnenkamp," Eric began, "I might say, and it would be to someextent true, that I intended those severe words for Herr von Pranken,and not for you; but, as they were also applicable to you, I ask yourpardon. I was not master of myself, and it was wrong in me to provokeand grieve you so sorely; not merely because you are Manna's father,but because you are a man who has had to endure so much. It was sinfulin me"--

  "Very well, very well; I know all about sermonizing; it's sufficient.And has not your whole life been a lie? Have you not been a thief? DidI not ask you if you had any such views when I was conducting you overthe house? And could you so long play the hypocrite and retail yourfine speeches? Curse upon all faith in mankind! I had faith in you, Ibelieved you incapable of a breach of trust; and you've been ahypocrite from that first hour I went with you over the house until thepresent moment. As to the future--I've torn away the mask."

  "Herr Sonnenkamp," replied Eric, "I have wrestled long and desperatelywith myself, before yielding to this love; but it is stronger than Iam, stronger than every thing besides. That I am not seeking for yourwealth, I prove by declaring to you that I shall take none of yourpossessions. I can add no farther assurance; for if you do not believemy simple word, how are you to believe an oath!"

  "Indeed? Then you expect still to be believed? Yes, fine, noble, good,magnanimous man, I possess a great deal, but not what you ask,--faithin you. I had this faith once, it was my last illusion. I don't swearit; but I know that it's my last illusion."

  "I entreat Roland's father and Manna's father"--Eric's voicetrembled,--"I entreat him, as a child, to be just towards me. You willyet learn that I spoke the truth at that time, and speak it now."

  "Truth? Whew, truth! Leave me, I wish to be alone: I must be alone."

  Eric and Manna left the room, holding each other by the hand. Theywaited outside for a long time. Joseph, who had been summoned, nowentered Sonnenkamp's room. When he came out, he told Manna that HerrSonnenkamp had sent to the city for a notary.

  Eric and Manna went into the garden. And this is the power of love: inthe midst of the most direful pain and suffering, they were inwardlycheerful as if all misery had been removed far away from them.

  "You must take it from me," said Manna, after they had walked togetherfor a long time in silence. "I don't know what it signifies; but itwill not leave me. At that time, when the Prince visited us, his kindmessage to you affected me as if he had bestowed a benefit upon myselfDo you remember? I delivered the message to you. At that time he saidyou were to remember that you had been the companion of his boyhood,and that he would like to prove to you that he was not forgetful of thefact. Now, don't you believe that you could do something for us? Idon't know what; but I think--well, I don't know what I do think."

  "It's the same with me," replied Eric. "I remember it as if it were thepresent moment; but I have no idea how to begin to avail myself of thisgracious favor. O Manna! that was the first time it broke upon me howyou felt towards me."

  And the lovers lost all idea of their anxieties in recalling the past,how they wanted to avoid each other, and could not. All present sorrowvanished away.

  On Manna's face there was a light as of an inextinguishable gleam ofsunshine: her large dark-eyes glowed, for a free and strong soul shonethrough them.

  "What are you smiling at now?" she suddenly asked Eric.

  "Because an image has occurred to me."

  "An image?"

  "Yes. I've heard that a precious stone is distinguished from animitation of one, by the fact that the dimness of lustre caused bybreathing upon it immediately disappears. You, my Manna, you, are sucha genuine pearl."

  Whilst the lovers were promenading in the garden, Sonnenkamp sat alone,almost congratulating himself that he had something new to trouble him;and in the midst of his vexation there was a degree of pride, ofpleasure, when he thought how courageously his child stood up therebefore him. She was his daughter, his proud, inflexible child. And histhoughts went further: Your child forsakes you, follows her owninclination, and your duty is done: your duty was to the daughter, forthe son will build up an independent life. Frau Ceres--poh!--let themsupply her with dresses and ornaments, and lull her to sleep with apretty story. He went into the garden, into the green-house, where theblack mould was lying in a heap. He put on his gray sack, grubbed inthe dirt, smelt the fresh earth; but to-day there seemed to be no odorto it. He rent the garment in pieces as he took it off.

  "Away forever!" he exclaimed. "Childish folly! It's all over!" He stoodfor a while before the spot where Eric had taken breakfast on the firstmorning. So this was the man, and he to be sole master here for thefuture? He to possess all this,--a schoolmaster?

  The Cooper came along the road. Sonnenkamp called out to him, andcommended his bringing up the fire-engine, adding, with a zest, thatthe settlers in the far West found this their best weapon against thesavages, spurting hot water upon them; and it was still more effectiveto put in a trifle of sulphuric acid, and blind every one hit in theface. The cooper stared, with eyes and mouth wide open, at the man whocould say these horrible things in such a free and easy way.

  Sonnenkamp left him standing there, and, going into the orchard, helpedvery carefully and tenderly to gather the fruit. He thought of the dayswhen this fruit was growing, of the spring when Roland wasconvalescent, of the visit of the Prince, the journey to the springs,the days of sunshine until now, the dewy nights; and he thoughtsilently, when will there be another crop of fruit? how will it be withyou then? where? perhaps under ground; then you cannot turn over theblack mould: then his head swam.

  It is a shame that we must die, and a double shame to know that wemust.

  He stared fixedly as if he were bewildered, for it came over him thaton this very spot he had said something like this to Eric, the firstmorning he had come there. Has this place a peculiar power to awakenthoughts of death? Are you standing over the spot of earth which shallbe your grave?

  He was called away; for the notary with his two assistants had arrivedjust at the dinner hour. He sat down with him at the table, andappeared in as good spirits as if nothing had happened. The notaryoccupied Pranken's usual seat. After dinner, he transacted businesswith the notary, being long and busily engaged in writing. The twoassistants signed as witnesses: so that nobody except those under oathknew any thing of the contents of the will.

  After this was done, a letter came from Bella. She wrote to Sonnenkampthat she and Clodwig would come to the jury-trial, and he must bring itabout that she should be among the twelve. Sonnenkamp smiled, for hehad almost forgotten about it: it was all very well. Eric requestedRoland and Manna to accompany the Mother, who wanted to make a visit atMattenheim. They consented, and so the house was now perfectly still,almost entirely deserted.