Page:The Lady's Book Vol. V.pdf/79

 THE ROBBER STURMWIND. 75

“What now what's the matter? “cried a Lithuanian, holding a pistol to one who was pressing forward. “Courland swords is the matter! “answered the man, at the same time giving him a blow which disarmed and stunned him. The tumult immediately became general. The peasants rose and mingled in the fray, and the Lithuanian was speedily overpowered. The report of fire arms, and the cries of the combatants attracted every one who passed within hearing to the house, and the public room was soon thronged. Just at this juncture, the two noblemen, who had consigned Susanna to the care of the host, returned from hunting, and were met by the servant maid, who, with loud lamentations, informed them that the house was attacked by robbers, and begged their assistance. doubting what was the cause of this attack, and seeing the two robbers standing at the window, they threw themselves from their horses, and rushing from behind on the men, whose whole attention was directed to the interior of the room, they threw them down and disarmed them. Entering the house, Firks encountered another robber, while his friend looked around for Susanna. The pressure of the crowd for some time prevented him from discovering that she was not in the room.

Not

The host, the peasants, in short, all who were present were interrogated; the house was searched, and the neighboring thickets examined; but in vain: Susanna was not found. “So, “said Firks, “while I have been engaged with that scapegrace, the fair Angelina hath disappeared. “If her flight succeed, “replied Herman, “all is in the most approved order of romance; at least, our duty as loyal knights, is fulfilled. “After satisfying themselves that the fair fugitive was really out of reach, and disposing of the robbers whom they had secured, they departed.

Susanna, during the confusion which assisted her escape, had crept between benches and tables to the door, and seized an opportunity of flying again into the forest. Panting for breath, yet not daring to rest, she continued running till she reached another small public house, of which the host was a Jew. She entreated him to supply her with a plain dress, such as is worn by the country women of that district; and to take in exchange her handsome fur pelisse. To a less experienced eye than that of the gray bearded Israelite, the advantage of such an exchange could not but be perceptible; and he delayed not in supplying her with some inferior clothes, such as were generally to be found in the houses of Jew publicans, who received them instead of coin from such visitors as had no money. Seeing that his fair customer was in great haste, he offered, when the bargain was concluded, to convey her a few miles in his cart, without any recompense. To this she thankfully agreed; they rode about a league, and, at parting, he remarked that as her gold ear rings did not agree with her present appearance, she had better dispose of them to him. This offer also was accepted; and the Jew giving her about the tenth part of their value, in small silver coin, wished her good day, and returned.

Susanna was now in the high road, and felt comparatively safe, and her first emotion was to fall on her knees and thank God for her deliverance. In her present costume, it was no difficult matter for her to obtain a night's lodging in some farm house, and, during the day, the piece of white linen which the Lithuanian peasant women wear, so as to conceal at least half the face, protected her from the observation of any curious person who might otherwise have recognised her.

Often was she obliged to rest, fatigued by such unwonted exertion and distress of mind; but on the fourth day of her wandering she reached the church where she was married. Entering, she knelt at the altar, and implored the forgiveness of God for having broken the bands which were there so deceitfully and wantonly imposed on her.

Frau Margaretha was sitting at her usual employment in the old cottage, sad and melancholy that she had no news of her beloved daughter, though above a week had passed since she left her, when a peasant girl entered the room.Scarcely looking off her work, she asked what she wanted: the girl was silent a moment, then exclaimed “Oh, mother! “and fell at her feet.Scarcely could Margaretha recognise her Susanna in the pale, exhausted peasant before her. What feeling, what suffering, could be compared to the mother's at this moment? She suddenly beheld her joy, the hope of her old age, the reward of so many wakeful nights and countless cares, at the very moment when she believed she had established her happiness, lying exhausted at her feet. Their tears flowed together; Susanna once more reposed on the bosom of her mother, and was comforted. But the excessive fatigue and constant agitation which she had experienced in so short a time, quickly brought on a nervous fever, and the next day she could not leave her bed. Poor Margaretha passed several sleepless nights by the side of her child; and heard her, at the height of her fever, talk of caverns, pistols, fighting, and the rack; of Opalinsky's threatening appearance, and then she cried loudly for help!

One night, when she was thus delirious, her mother heard a noise, as if some one were trying to break open the window shutters, which were not more than a man's height above the street.— She trembled with fear, and yet felt bound to her seat. Indeed, what else could she do? if she opened the door to call for assistance from her ' neighbours, the robbers would enter before any one could arrive. The noise was continued, and presently the shutter was forced, and some panes of glass broken. “Jesu, Maria, “exclaimed Susanna, in delirium, “that is Sturmwind coming! he will seize me and take me with him! but I see the brave knight of the forest he stands in the corner with his bright arms I must call him again to save me. “With these words, in the height of fever, she sprung from the bed; and