Page:Hoffmann's Strange Stories - Hoffman - 1855.djvu/290

 tance, then the black penitents made the circuit of the stage carrying an open bier, on which reposed, under a white shroud, the remains of the unfortunate Marianna. An actor, disguised in the costume and mask of Capuzzi, followed weepingly this sad procession. The true Capuzzi could not resist this spectacle, and his lamentations mingled with the sobs of the actors. The stage suddenly becomes dark, the thunder roars, the earth opens, and a spectre is seen to rise, whose pale visage represents Marianna's father.

"Miserable brother!" slowly uttered the citizen of the other world; "what hast thou done with my child? God curses thee, murderer of Marianna! Hell awaits thee!"

Under the blow of this terrible threat, the false Capuzzi fell upon the ground, and the real Capuzzi really fainted. When he came to himself, his despair was pitiable; he wrung his hands and tore his garments.

"Ah, my poor child!" exclaimed he, "my beloved Marianna! I have killed thee! I am an unfortunate man! An infamous man!"

Had this crisis lasted longer, the good man would have lost his reason. Salvator made a sign: Antonio and Marianna, who had advanced behind the arm-chair, threw themselves at Capuzzi's feet. Marianna, covering his hands with kisses and tears, implored her pardon and that of Antonio, who belonged to her before God. At this sight, the paleness of Capuzzi's face gave place to a tint of scarlet, his eyes flashed like lightning, and his mouth was made up to utter curses.—But Marianna, with a heavenly look, stopped the thunder:

"My uncle," said she, her hands joined, "pardon for him, pardon for me; do not separate us if you do not wish that I should die!"

And without giving him time to answer, all present exclaimed:—"How can the illustrious Signor Pasquale Capuzzi di Senegaglia, the great master, who is the pride of Italy, resist the tears, the prayers of the most beautiful of women,