Page:Hoffmann's Strange Stories - Hoffman - 1855.djvu/64

60 execution of which transported me with enthusiasm. I immediately understood that there was something better than the mannerly grace of the Italian style; and I soon resolved to visit the studios of the celebrated German painters, to initiate myself into the secrets of their compositions. On arriving at Nuremberg, the first object that struck my sight was Rosa; and I thought that I saw the beautiful Madonna of Albert Dürer. An immense love burst out in my soul like a conflagration. The rest of the world was effaced from my thoughts, and Art, which until then had so exclusively occupied me, seemed to have no other mission for me than to produce numberless sketches of the features of the divine object of my passion. I sought means to introduce myself into master Martin's house; but nothing was more difficult. The ordinary tricks employed by lovers became impracticable. I was then about to announce myself openly to Tobias Martin, and ask of him the hand of his daughter, when, by chance, I learned that this worthy man had formally decided that he would accept no other for son-in-law than the most skilful cooper in the country. Far from becoming discouraged at this obstacle, I set off for Strasburg, where I secretly learned this laborious trade, leaving to providence the care of rewarding my efforts. Thou knowest the rest; and I have only one thing more to reveal to thee, which is, that quite recently master Martin, in a fit of good humor, predicted that I should become, under his auspices, a famous cooper, and that it would please him to see me become, some day, the husband of his pretty daughter, who, as he said, was not too indifferent to me."

"Oh, yes, I feel it well, it is thou that she loves," interrupted Frederick. "I am in her eyes nothing but a miserable workman; but in thee she has discovered the artist."

"Stop there!" said Reinhold; "thou art extravagant, and thou forgettest, dear brother, that the little Rosa has not decided. I well know that until now she has shown herself full of kindness and amenity towards me, but this is far from