Page:Hoffmann's Strange Stories - Hoffman - 1855.djvu/347

 ship, he fixed on me his keen penetrating eyes, as if he would look me through and through. At last, he said, 'Brusson, thou art, in truth, an excellent clever fellow. Thou shalt henceforth live in my house, and assist me in the workshop. I shall allow thee a good salary, and thou shalt have no reason to be dissatisfied with thy place.'

"Cardillac kept his word. I was received kindly at our next meeting, and had no reason to complain of the treatment that I experienced. For several weeks I had been in the house without seeing Madelon, who was, at that time, living with a distant relation in the country. At length she returned home, and, oh heaven! how was I astonished at the innocent angelic beauty of that girl! Was there ever any mortal that loved so fondly and fervently as I have done,—and now,—oh Madelon!"

Olivier was here overcome by his feelings, and for some time could not proceed. He covered his face with both hands, and even sobbed violently; but with a determined effort, he resumed, as follows:—

"Madelon often looked at me with an expressive glance, in which I thought that I could read her approval of my evident admiration. She used also to come more and more frequently into the workshop, till, in short, I discovered with rapture that she loved me, and closely as her father might have watched us, many a stolen kiss or pressure of the hand served for a token of the agreement thus mutually understood between us. Cardillac, indeed, never seemed to observe any of our proceedings; but I had intended, after I had proved myself deserving of his good opinion, and had passed my years of trial, to pay my addresses openly to Madelon. One morning, however, when I was about to begin my work for the day, Cardillac suddenly came to me with his eyes flashing contempt and indignation. 'I have no longer any need of your assistance,' said he,—'Get out of my house within this very hour, and never again come in my sight.—The reason why I cannot suffer your presence any longer