Page:Hoffmann's Strange Stories - Hoffman - 1855.djvu/294

 terrified and trembling, at the same time wishing in her heart Baptiste (or rather his sister and her wedding party) au diable.

Meanwhile the knocking continued to thunder on; and it seemed as if she distinguished a voice at intervals, crying out "Open the door, pour l'amour de Dieu,—open the door!—At last, in great agitation, Martiniere siezed the candle, and ran out into the corridor, where she plainly heard the stranger's voice, repeating anxiously and vehemently, "For God's sake open the door!" In truth," thought Martiniere, "no robber would speak in this manner; who knows whether it may not be some poor persecuted man, who seeks protection from my lady, knowing that she is ever inclined to succor the distressed? But let us be cautious." She now drew up a window that looked into the street, and called out, "Who is there, at such unseasonable hours, thundering at the gate, and rousing every one from sound sleep?" At the same time she endeavored to give as much as possible of a manly tone to her voice, which was naturally none of the weakest.

By the gleam of the moonlight, which just then broke through the clouds, she perceived a tall slim figure, attired in a light grey-colored mantle, and with a broad hat slouched over his features. Thinking to intimidate him, she called out within the house, but loudly, so that the stranger might hear her, "Baptiste—Claude—Pierre! rouse, and see what is the matter. Here is a good for nothing vagabond, who has been knocking as if he would break down the house about our ears." Then from without she was answered by the tones of a soft and plaintive voice. "Martiniere," said the stranger, "I know very well that it is you, however you may try to disguise your accents. I know too that Baptiste has gone into the country, and that you are alone in the house with your lady. Be not afraid, but open the door for me. You have nothing to apprehend; but I must absolutely speak with Mademoiselle de Scuderi, and this without a moment's delay." "What art, thou thinking of?" answered Martiniere, angrily; "thou wouldst speak with my lady, forsooth, in the middle of