Page:Hoffmann's Strange Stories - Hoffman - 1855.djvu/140

 At this moment the voice of Franz was heard. He came to bring us news of the sick lady.

"The baroness," said he, "has entirely recovered from her indisposition, which she attributes to an unpleasant dream."

At these words, I was about to utter an exclamation of happiness, but a look from my great uncle closed my mouth.

"It is well;" said he to Franz, "I was only waiting to hear that before taking a little repose, for at my age watchfulness is unwholesome. God preserve us until night is passed!"

Franz retired, and although the cocks were heard crowing in the neighboring village, the justice buried himself in the feathers.

On the morrow, very early, I crept down to ask Adelheid concerning the health of my dear Seraphine. But at the entrance of the apartment I found myself face to face with the baron; his piercing look measured me with all its haughtiness.

"What do you come to seek?" said he to me in a stifled voice. I concealed my emotion as well as I could, and taking courage, I announced pretty firmly, that I came from my uncle to inquire the state of the baroness.

"All goes well," replied the baron, coldly; "she has had a nervous attack, to which she is subject. She is now reposing; and I think that she will appear at table. Tell him that: Go."

The expression of the baron's face in making me this answer, revealed an impatience which made me judge him more uneasy than he wished to appear. I saluted him and was about retiring, when he took me by the arm, and said to me with a look that seemed blasting to me,

"I have something to say to you, young man."

The tone with which he said these words caused me to make very doubtful suppositions. I saw myself in the presence of an offended husband, who had guessed what was passing in my heart, and who was preparing to exact a