Page:Hoffmann's Strange Stories - Hoffman - 1855.djvu/110

 board splitting in pieces. That old instrument which she loved, could not survive her; I have shut it up near her in her coffin."

On finishing this speech, the counsellor's physiognomy became suddenly changed; he commenced singing, in a cracked and grating voice, a comic song; and it was frightful to see him jumping on one foot around the room, whilst the floating crape on his hat, brushing over all the violins, also brushed against my face. I could not restrain a piercing cry; he stopped short:—"My little man, my little man, why dost thou scream so? hast thou seen the angel of death? he always precedes the ceremony."

Then he came into the middle of the room, and, raising the bow which he carried by his side, in both hands above his head, he violently broke it and threw the pieces far away from him.

"Ah!" exclaimed he, now I am free, free, free! I will make no more violins! no! no more violins!"

The unfortunate Krespel howled these words in infernal cadence, and continued his course, hopping around the room. Frozen with fear, I started to fly; he stopped me with his nervous arm.

"Stop, master student, do not take my convulsions for madness; all this is inflicted upon me, because, several days ago, I had a dressing gown cut, in which I wished to look like Destiny or God!"

The unfortunate man told me a thousand extravagancies, until, exhausted by his exaltation, he fell almost insensible. His old housekeeper ran on hearing my call. I left him in her arms. When I saw professor M again, I told him that I thought counsellor Krespel mad.

"I hope that it is not so," answered he. "The fermentation of thought, which would destroy the brain of any other man, is dissipated by action in the case of our poor friend. His disordered agitation exhausting his nervous excitement, will save him. The sudden death of Antonia crushed him.