Page:Hoffmann's Strange Stories - Hoffman - 1855.djvu/153

 which has separated us for so many years. Hubert hates me because I am rich, and because he has spent, like a true prodigal, the greater part of his fortune. He comes to me with the most hostile disposition, as if I ought to become responsible for his folly. I cannot and will not dispossess myself of the smallest part of the revenues of my inheritance. But, like a good brother, I would consent to abandon to him a half that belongs to me, of a vast domain, that our father possessed in Courland. This sacrifice, on my part, would place Hubert in a position to pay the debts that he has contracted, and to withdraw from annoyance his wife and children, who are suffering now the consequences of his improvidence and misconduct. But, figure to yourself, my dear V, that this prodigal madman has discovered, I know not by what sorcery, the existence in my hands of the coffer which contains the hundred and fifty thousand ducats, that we found in the vault. He pretends that he can force me to give up to him a half of this sum! But may the lightning strike me before I consent to it; and if he meditates any evil trick against me, God preserve me, and make his attempts unsuccessful."

The justice forgot nothing that would make Wolfgang look upon the visit of his brother in a less odious light. Charged by the baron with the negotiation of a transaction with Hubert, he acquitted himself of this confidential mission with infinite zeal. Hubert, pressed by a very active need of money, accepted the offers of Wolfgang with two conditions: the first, that Wolfgang should add to his part of the inheritance a present of four thousand ducats, which should be employed to calm the pursuit of the most pressing among his creditors; the second, that he should be permitted to pass several days at R—sitten, near his beloved brother.

To this demand Wolfgang loudly exclaimed, that he could never subscribe, his wife being on the point of arriving. For the rest, he counted out to Hubert two thousand pieces of gold, as a gift. 13*