Page:Hoffmann's Strange Stories - Hoffman - 1855.djvu/106

 made so strong an impression on my mind, that I dreamed of it every night. I became madly in love, and I only thought of the means of introducing myself, at whatever cost, into Krespel's house, to see the mysterious Antonia, swear an eternal love for her, and rescue her from her tyrant. Unfortunately for my romance, things came about in a very peaceable manner; and hardly had I met the counsellor two or three times, and flattered his mania by talking of violins, than he asked me himself, and in the simplest manner, to come and see him at his house. God only knows what I then felt; I thought that the sky was opening. Master Krespel made me examine all of his violins very carefully, without omitting one, and truly there were more than thirty of them! One of them, of very ancient construction, was suspended higher than the others, and ornamented with a crown of flowers. Krespel told me that it was the masterpiece of an unknown master, and that the sounds drawn from it exercised an irresistible magnetism on the senses, the influence of which forced the somnambulist to reveal his secret thoughts.

"I have never had the courage," said he, "to take this instrument to pieces for the purpose of studying its construction. It seems to me that that there is life in it, and that I should become a murderer; I very seldom play upon it, and only for my Antonia, who experiences, whilst listening to it, the sweetest sensations."

At the name Antonia, I trembled.

"My good counsellor," said I to him, in an accent of caressing insinuation, "would you not do me the favor to play on it for a moment for me?" Krespel in an ironical manner, and in a nasal tone, answered me, emphasizing every syllable:—"No, my good master student."

This fashion disconcerted me. I did not reply, and Krespel finished, showing me his cabinet of curiosities.

Before separating, he drew from a casket a folded paper, which he gave me, saying, very gravely:—"Young man, you love the arts: accept this, then, as a precious remembrance."