Page:Hoffmann's Strange Stories - Hoffman - 1855.djvu/42

38 immediately enviable, when the pretty Rosa came and seated herself between the two guests, busily occupying herself in offering them the best wines and the most delicate viands.

Frederick, by the side of this delicious creature, could hardly restrain his emotion; and, with his eyes fixed upon his plate, as yet full, for he was too much in love to swallow a single mouthful, he said in his soul a thousand tender things to his beloved. As for Reinhold, he was a free liver, very attentive to the attractions of the young girl, and very prone to become affected by them.

Rosa could not refrain from feeling a secret pleasure in listening to the details of his journey. It seemed to her that she saw appear, under real forms, all the events of his life that he related. Her heart allowed itself to be captivated involuntarily by the charm of this eccentricity of character, and she had not the strength to withdraw her hand, which Reinhold had taken several times, and pressed in a very significant manner.

Meanwhile Frederick, incited by his friend, had drunk a full goblet of Rhine wine. The heat of this liquid mounted to his brain, and loosened his tongue; he became more animated, and his blood circulated more freely.

"God! how happy I feel!" exclaimed he suddenly. "I feel an ineffable joyfulness!"

The daughter of master Martin could not restrain, at these words, a malicious smile.

"Rosa!" continued Frederick, "can I dare believe that you have borne me in remembrance?"

"How could I have forgotten you?" answered the young girl. "I remember the dear days of my early childhood, when you liked to play with me; and I have kept with great care that little basket made of silver wire, that you gave me one Christmas eve."

"Rosa, my beloved!" exclaimed Frederick, beside himself, his breathing accelerated, and his eyes flashing.

"I awaited your return with much impatience," continued