Page:Hoffmann's Strange Stories - Hoffman - 1855.djvu/131

 arms hanging down by his sides. The old aunts came and led off Seraphine. Miss Adelheid followed them. As for me, I remained for a long time in the same spot, thinking of the good fortune which had procured for me so sweet an interview, and cursing baron Roderick, who appeared to me nothing but a brutal tyrant, unworthy of possessing this admirable woman. I believe that I should be still standing, had it not been for my great uncle, who was seeking me, and touched me on the shoulder, saying, in his friendly manner,

"Cousin, don't show thyself so assiduous towards the baroness; leave this dangerous trade of sighing to be followed by madcaps who have nothing else to do."

I went into a long discourse to prove to my great uncle that I had allowed nothing to myself but what was admissable [sic]; but he shrugged his shoulders, went and put on his dressing gown, filled his pipe, and commenced talking about the hunt of the previous day.

That evening, there was a ball at the castle. Miss Adelheid had retained a whole orchestra of travelling musicians. My great uncle, very fond of his rest, had retired to his bed at his accustomed hour. My youth and my love made me worship this opportunity of an unexpected ball. I had finished my toilet, when Franz came and knocked at my door, to announce to me that the harpsichord had arrived on a sledge, and that the baroness had immediately ordered it to be placed in her room, where she was waiting for me with her lady companion. Judge of the joyful surprise which pervaded all my senses. I was drunk with love and desire; I hastened to Seraphine's room. Miss Adelheid was beside herself with joy; but the baroness, already dressed for the ball, was standing, in silence and in a melancholy attitude, near the case in which were reposing the notes that, in my quality of musician and poet, I was called to awaken.

"Theodore," said she to me, calling me by my baptismal name, according to the custom in the North, "Theodore, here is the instrument that we expected: God will that you keep your promise well."