Page:Hoffmann's Strange Stories - Hoffman - 1855.djvu/138

, and then steps in the gallery. They came and knocked at the door of our chamber. "Who is there?" asked I, in a loud and rude voice.

"Mr. V," was the answer from without, "quick, get up!" It was the voice of old Franz.

"Is the castle on fire?" said I to myself. At the word fire, my great uncle, who awoke, jumped out of bed, and went to open the door.

"For God's sake, make haste," replied Franz, "the baron is asking for you; the baroness is dying!"

The poor servant was lividly pale. We had hardly lighted a lamp, when the voice of the baron was heard.

"Can I speak to you immediately, my dear V?" said he.

"Devil!" said my great uncle, "who asked thee to dress thyself; what art thou about to do?"

"See her once more; tell her that I love her, and then die!" answered I in a low and broken voice.

"Oh! undoubtedly, I ought to have guessed it," replied the severe justice, shutting the door in my face, and putting the key into his pocket. Delirious with anger, I tried to break the lock; but, promptly reflecting on the consequences which such a scene would occasion, I resigned myself to await patiently the return of my great uncle, fully decided, nevertheless, to escape from him at all events, as soon as he returned. I heard him speaking to the baron, in the distance, with great vivacity; but I could not distinguish their words. My name was mixed up with it, and my anxiety became intolerable. Finally the baron went away; it seemed to me that some one had come precipitately to seek him. My great uncle came back, and appeared stupified at the delirious state in which he found me. "She is dead, then!" cried I, on seeing him. "I will go down, I will see her immediately, and, if you refuse me, I will blow out my brains before your eyes! My great uncle remained unmoved, and covering me with an icy look,