Page:Hoffmann's Strange Stories - Hoffman - 1855.djvu/163

 One evening that the justice, constantly occupied in seeking the proofs winch established the rights of Roderick, his protégé, was searching once more the archives of R—sitten, Daniel entered the room, walking with measured steps, like a spectre. He went directly towards the desk of the justice, on which he laid a portfolio of black leather; then he fell upon his knees, exclaiming:

"There is a Judge in heaven! I wished to have time to repent!"

Then he arose and went out of the chamber slowly, as he had come.

The black portfolio contained precious papers, all written by the hand of Wolfgang, and sealed with his seal. These papers established clearly the legitimacy of his son, and contained the history of his secret marriage. These proofs became indisputable. Hubert was obliged to recognize them when they were presented to him, and he declared before the judges that he desisted from all claims to the inheritance of his uncle Wolfgang of R—sitten. After this move he quitted the city and the country. It was known that he went to St. Petersburg, where he served in the Russian army, and had been sent to Persia. His mother and sister occupied themselves, after his departure, with putting in order the affairs of their domain in Courland. Roderick, violently smitten with the charms of Hubert's sister, followed these ladies to their homes, and the justice V having returned to K, the castle of R—sitten became again more gloomy and deserted than ever.

Since the scene of the black portfolio, Daniel had become so ill, that it had been necessary to bestow his office upon another major-domo. Franz was invested with this employment, which was a just recompense for his faithful service. A short time after, all the judicial affairs relative to the entail were completely elucidated; the legal formalities were fulfilled by the care of justice V, who gave himself no rest until he had seen the young Roderick installed securely, and sheltered from all