Page:Hoffmann's Strange Stories - Hoffman - 1855.djvu/36

32 skilful cooper in the city, I renounced my vocation of artist, to become a workman. I have now come back to Nuremberg to beg master Martin to accept me as one of his journeymen. But the nearer I approach to the fulfilment of my wishes, and the more I think of Rosa, who must be much improved by this time, timidity and the fear of being refused, struggle in my soul; for I know not if I am loved, or if I can ever hope to be."

Reinhold had listened to the story of Frederick with mute attention. When this confidence was ended, he spoke; but his features expressed a painful anxiety, which he tried in vain to conceal. "Is it true," said he at last, "that Rosa has never given you any pledge of affection?"

"Never!" exclaimed Frederick. "Rosa was only a child when I left Nuremberg. I can suppose, without vanity, that I was not disagreeable to her. When I plucked for her the finest flowers in Mr. Holzschuer's garden, she always thanked me with angelic smiles; but"

"There is then a gleam of hope for me!" exclaimed Reinhold, with an explosion of vivacity which made his friend tremble. His tall figure straightened, his sword rattled by his side, and his eyes flashed.

"For heaven's sake!" asked Frederick, "what is passing in thy mind?"

And before this face, then so sweet, and now so violently agitated, he could not avoid a shudder; and, making a step backwards, he struck his foot against Reinhold's travelling bag. This shock sounded a mandolin that was tied to the baggage.

"Accursed companion!" cried Reinhold, throwing at him a savage and threatening glance. "Do not crush my mandolin!"

And immediately taking the instrument, he struck the strings with a violence that might have broken them; then suddenly a reaction took place in his movement; he became