Page:Hoffmann's Strange Stories - Hoffman - 1855.djvu/226

 Spalanzani, as already stated, was obliged to decamp, to escape the criminal prosecution for fraudulently introducing an automaton into human society. Coppola had vanished also.

Nathaniel awakened as from a heavy, frightful dream; he opened his eyes and felt an indescribable sensation of pleasure streaming through him, with soft heavenly warmth. He was in bed in his own room, in his father's house, Clara stooping over him, and Lothaire and his mother were standing near.

"At last, at last, oh beloved Nathaniel, hast thou recovered from thy serious illness—now thou art again mine!"

So spoke Clara, from the very depth of her soul, and clasped Nathaniel in her arms. But with mingled sorrow and delight did the brightly glowing tears fall from his eyes, and he deeply groaned forth: "My own—my own Clara!" Sigismund, who had faithfully remained with his friend in the hour of trouble, now entered. Nathaniel stretched out his hand to him.

"And thou, faithful brother, hast not deserted me?"

Every trace of Nathaniel's madness had vanished, and he soon gained strength amid the care of his mother, his beloved, and his friends. Good fortune also had visited the house, for ah old penurious uncle, of whom nothing had been expected, had died, and had left the mother, besides considerable property, an estate in a pleasant spot near the town. Thither Nathaniel, with his Clara, whom he now thought of marrying, his mother, and Lothaire, desired to go. Nathaniel had now grown milder and more docile than he had ever been, and he now understood, for the first time, the heavenly purity and the greatness of Clara's mind.—No one, by the slightest hint, reminded him of the past. Only, when Sigismund took leave of him, Nathaniel said:

"Heavens, brother, I was in an evil way, but a good angel led me betimes to the path of light. Ah, that was Clara!"

Sigismund did not let him carry the discourse further, for fear that deeply wounding recollections might burst forth