BLACKWELL FAMILY
ELIZABETH BLACKWELL
Stories and translationsonly, friend [yet] now left me!"
Edgar repeated all that had happened, and did not
forget to relate with what bright hopes.  Baldassare had
died.  The old man folded his hands, raised his tearful eyes
to Heaven, his lips moved, and he seemed to hold converse with
his absent friend.
"Forgive me," said he turning to Edgar, "if a dark suspicion
which is not natural to me, marked my behaviour to you.
It was suspected some time ago, that the cursed craft of our foes
went so far as to introduce foreign officers into our hosts, to
prepare for their treacherous designs.  The events at Taragona
have only too well confirmed these suspicions, and the Junta
has decided to remove all foreign officers.  Sir John Blake who
finds foreign engineers indispensable, has promised to shoot down
instantly any man on whom the slightest suspicion rests. If you
are really a friend of my Baldassare, your intentions must
be brave and upright._ I have now spoken to you, remember
hereafter what I have said." With this the old man left him
Fortune seemed to have deserted the Spaniards. The
courage of despair effected nothing against the approaching
enemy. Valencia was each day more closely surrounded, so
that Blake, reduced to the last extremity, determined to force
his way through the enemy with twelve thousand men. You
all know that only a few succeeded, of the rest some were killed,
some driven back into the city. It was here that Edgar at the
head of Orihuela's bold regiment of Chasseurs, offered defiance to the
enemy during some months, and in some degree covered the confusion
of flight. But here again as at Tarragona, he was struck
down by a ball, in the hottest moment of the struggle.Edgar has described his condition to me, from this moment
until the return of clear consciousness as unspeakably
strange. It seemed to him often, as if he were
in battle. He heard the thunder of the cannon, the wild cries
of the warriors, the victorious Spaniards pressed forwards,
but as he led his battalion on, inflamed with warlike ardour,
he was suddenly wounded, and sunk down in unconsciousness.
Then he plainly felt that he lay on a soft couch, that
some cooling draught was given him, he heard soft voices
speaking, and yet could not rouse himself from his dreams. Once
as he appeared again to be in the thickest of the fight, it seemed
to him that some one seized him fast by the shoulder, while a
hostile chasseur shot him in the breast, and [while] the ball slowly
buried itself in the flesh with exquisite pain, till all [sense 
of pain] feeling was lost in a death like sleep.
Edgar suddenly awoke from this trance to full consciousness,
but in such a strange situation, that he could not
imagine where he was. The soft luxurious couch with its silken
drapery, by no means suited the low mean prison-like vault in
which it stood. A shaded lamp shed a little light around; neither
door nor window was visible. Edgar raised himself with difficulty,
and then perceived a franciscan monk who sat in an
easy chair in one corner of the vault apparently asleep.
"Where am I?" cried Edgar with all the strength he possessed.
The monk started out of his sleep, snuffed the wick of the lamp,
let the light fall on Edgar's face, felt her pulse, and murmured
something he did not understand. Edgar was about asking
the monk what had happened to him, when the wall appeared
to open without sound, and a figure entered, whom Edgar instantlyinstantly recognized as the old man of the Alameda.
The monk informed him that the crisis was now passed,
and all would go well.
"God be praised!" cried the stranger, and approached
Edgar's couch. Edgar would have spoken, but the old
man forbade it, as the slightest exertion would be dangerous at
that time. It may be imagined that the surroundings in which he
found himself, were altogether inexplicable to Edgar, but few words were
sufficient, not certainly to set him at ease, but to show him the
necessity for his sojourn in this gloomy abode.
He learned that when the ball struck him down his brave companions,
notwithstanding the fearful firing, lifted him up, and conveyed
him back to the town. It happened that here in the thickest of the tumult,
Don Rafael Manchez (the name of the old man) perceived the wounded
Edgar, and instead of sending him to the Hospital, had him conveyed to his
own house, that he might surround the friend of his Baldassare, with all
possible help and comfort. His wounds certainly were severe, but his chief
danger arose from a [severe] nervous fever which broke out with great
violence.
You know that Valencia was bombarded three days and nights
with the most frightful results. That the commander, after prodigies of
valour had been achieved, capitulated with honour. Don Rafael was
not willing that Edgar in his dangerous condition, should fall into the
enemy's hands. As soon as the treaty was concluded, and the foe pressed
into Valencia, he removed Edgar to this unknown and secure vault.
"Friend of my sainted Baldapare," (continued Don Rafael) be
also mine. Your blood has flowed for my fatherland, each drop has
fallen hot into my breast, and removed every trace of that suspicion
that too easily arise in these unhappy times. The same flamewhich kindle, into deadly hate, glows also in the Spaniard's
friendship, and renders him capable of entire devotion to her
kindred. The enemy are lodged in my house, yet you are
in safety, for I swear to you, that whatever happen, I would be
burried in the ruins of Valencia, rather than betray you. Believe me
in this."
During the daytime, the most profound stillness reigned
around Edgar's apartment, but at night it often seemed to him [Edgar]
that he [often] heard the echo of light steps in the distance, with the
murmur of many voices, the opening and shutting of doors, and the
ringing of arms. Subterranean doings seemed to be carried on during
the hours of sleep. Edgar asked the Fransiscan who rarely left him
and tended him with the utmost care, about this. He replied that wen
he was well, Don Rafael would probably acquaint him with what
took place around him. And so it happened. One night, when Edgar
had grown well enough to leave his couch, Don Raphael came to him
with a lighted torch, invited him to dress and accompany him, together
with father Eusebio, as his physician and nurse was called.
What was Edgar's astonishment as he entered a spacious
illuminated vault in which were assembled a numerous company
of people who for the most part had a dirty, wild and reckless appearance.
In the midst stood a man, clothed like the commonest peasant
with dishevelled hair, and all the traces of a homeless wandering life, but
who nevertheless in his whole bearing, had some thing daring, and commanding
respect. His features were fine, and a fire sparkled in his
eyes that had betrayed the hero. To this man, Don Rafael led his friend, 
and introduced him as the young and brave german, whom he had
saved from the enemy, and who was ready to fight with them, the great
fight for the freedom of Spain. Then turning to Edgar, Don Rafael
said,"You are here in the heart of Valencia; that hearth is
surrounded by enemies on which yet burns the fire, whose
inextinguishable flames bursting forth with redoubled
fury, shall speedily consume them. You find yourself in the subterranean
vaults of the Franciscan cloisters. Through a hundred
secret passages, the chiefs of our warrior assemble here together.
From here as a focus the rays stream forth, which prepare
ruin and death for the overbearing treacherous foreigners.
We recognize you, Don Edgar, as one of us. Take part in the glory
of our enterprize!"
Empecinado - for the man in peasant's clothing, was
no other than the famous guerilla chief. Empecinado, whose dauntless
bravery rose even to fabulous wonder; who like the inextinguishable
spirit of vengeance, offered defiance to all the exertions of
the enemy; and suddenly with redoubled strength broke forth again
just when he seemed to have vanished, and at the very moment when
the enemy announced the complete downfall of his forces, appeared
before the gates of Madrid, and threw the Pretender into a terrible fright_
Empecinado now extends his hand to Edgar, and conversed
with him in animated words.
A young man was now led forth bound. The marks
of utter despair, lay on his deathlike countenance. He trembled and
held himself erect with difficulty, as they placed him before Empecinado.
He in silence, transfixed him with his glance of fire, and then
with fearful heartrending composure began.
"Antonio! You are in league with the enemy, you have
visited Suchet, several times at [unaccust] unusual hours, you
were about to betray our meeting place in the province of Cuenca!"
"It is true," replied Antonio, with a painful sigh,without raising his bowed head.
"Is it possible," cried Empecinado, now breathing
out into fierce anger, "that you are a Spaniard, that the blood
of your forefathers runs in your veins? Were not your mother virtue
itself? Were not the faintest suspicion that she could ahve sained the
honour of her house a cursed blasphemy, I should believe you a bastard
from the very dregs of the people. You have deserved death. Make
yourself ready to die!"
Antonio full of grief and despair, cast himself at Empecinado's 
feet, while he cried aloud, "Uncle - Uncle! Do you not see
that all the furies of Hell are tearing my heart. Have pity, have mercy.
Think how the cunning of Satan often conquers! - Yes Uncle, I am
a Spaniard, let one prove it! Let me expiate the shame, the ignoring
that the cursed art of hell have brought upon me - let me clear
myself to you, to my brethren! Uncle you understand me, you
know what it is I supplicate!"
Empecinado seemed softened by the youth [discourse] prayers.
He lifted him up, and said softly;
"You are right, the craft of the devil is great. Your repentance
is real, must be real. I know what you crave, I pardon you,
son of my beloved sister! Come to my heart." Empecinado himself
loosed the young man's bond, clasped him in his arms, and gave him
the dagger, which he carried in his girdle.
"Thanks" cried the youth, kissed Empecinado's hands,
watered them with tears, raised his eyes in prayer to Heaven, then
plunged the dagger into his breast, and sunk down speechless.
This scene so shocked the invalid Edgar, that he came near
fainting. Father Eusebio led him back to his vault.
In a few weeks, Don Rafael thought that he mightventure to free his friend from his prison, where it was
impossible to recover strength. He brought him at night
into a distant room, whose one window looked into a lonely
street, and warned him not to venture outside the door, during
the day, on account of the French, who were quartered in his house.
Edgar knew not what fancy induced him one
day, to [?] the corridor outside. At the very moment that
he left his room, the opposite door opened, and a french officer
met him.
"Friend Edgar, what luck brings you here? Welcome
a thousand times!" cried the officer, and springing to him,
embraced him with the utmost joy.
Edgar had instantly recognized Colonel La Combe of the
imperial guard. Accident had brought the colonel to his
uncle's house during the time of Germany's deepest degradation,
and just when Edgar who was forced to lay down his arms,
came there. La Combe was born in the south of France. By
his candour and goodness, and by a tenderness to the injured people
not generally shown by his nation, he had succeeded in conquering Edgars
deep-rooted hatred to their haughty oppressors, and gaining his
cordial friendship.
"Edgar, how come you in Valencia?" cried the colonel. 
Edgar's embarrassment, may be imagined, he was unable
to reply. The colonel looked at him fixedly, then said seriously.
"Ah I see what has brought you here. You have been airing
your hatred, you have been drawing the sword of vengeance, for
the pretended freedom of a mad people - and - I cannot blame
you for it. I shall not hold your friendship genuine, if you could
think I would betray you. No my friend! Now that I have foundyou, you may feel in perfect safety. Henceforth you will
only be the travelling agent of a german merchantile house
in Marseilles, whom I have long known. That will make [be] all
right!
Much as it troubled Edgar, La Combe would not rest until
he left his cell, and shared the more spacious chamber, Don Rafael
had granted him.
Edgar hastened to inform the suspicious Spaniard of the whole 
affair, and of his former intercourse with La Combe. Don Rafael
contented himself with replying in a grave dry tone, "indeed it is a strange
accident!"
The Colonel entered fully into Edgar's position; but he held
the faith of his nation, that out of door exercise, and distracting pleasures,
will heal the heat's deepest wounds. So it came to pass, that Edgar
and the colonel, were daily seen arm in arm walking in the Alameda,
or sharing in the mirthful feasts of his giddy comrades.
Edgar observed that many strange figures, followed them
with distrustful countenances, and it made him not a little
uneasy, when one day as he was entering a restaurant with the
colonel, he distinctly heard the whisper behind him "there is the
traitor!"
Don Rafael became daily more reserved towards Edgar,
who [till] it last [he] saw him no more, but received the message that
henceforth, instead of dining with him, he would share the table of the
Colonel La Combe.
One day when the Colonel was called away on duty, and Edgar
was alone in the room, there was a light knocking at the door and
father Easebid entered. He asked after Edgar's health, spoke of many
indifferent things, then suddenly ceasing he looked deep into Edgar's
eyes, and cried much moved; "No Don Edgar, you are no traitor!It is human nature, that in walking dreams, and in the
frenzy of fever, when the spirit struggles for life and the strained
fibres can no longer hold in the outrushing thoughts; that it
must then give up its most secret feeling. How often have I
watched by your couch, Dan Edgar when unconsciously you have
let me gaze into your [?] soul. So you are no traitor,
but take care - take care!
Edgar conjured Eusebio to tell him under what suspicion
he lay, and what danger threatened him.
"I will not conceal [you] from you," said Eusebio, that your
intercourse with Colonel La Combe and his companions, has
rendered you suspicious. It is feared that you may reveal
the secrets of this house, if not intentionally, yet in the excitement
of some boisterous feast, when the strong spanish wine
has mastered you! "You are certainly in some danger," continued
Eusebio after a pause, while Edgar sat silent and thoughtful,
"yet there is one way to escape all danger, throw yourself entirely
into the arms of the french, and they will send you out of Valencia."
"What do you say?" cried Edgar violently. "You forget
that I am a german! No, rather perish, without reproach
than seek safety in eternal shame!" "Don Edgar," cried
Eusebio with animation. "You are no traitor!" He pressed him
to his breast, and with tears in his eyes, left the room.
The same night, Edgar, who remained alone, the Colonel not
having returned, heard steps approach, and Don Rafael's voice cried,
["Arise, Don Edgar, arise!] "Open the door, Don Edgar, open the door!"
When Edgar opened it, Don Rafael stood before him with a torch in
his hand and near him father Eusebio. Don Rafael invited him toaccompany him, as he must assist at an important deliberation
in the franciscan vault. They had hardly entered the subterranean
passage, when, Don Rafael having stepped before with the torch,
father Eusebio whispered, "Oh God! Don Edgar, you are going to destruction,
there is no possibility of escape!"
Edgar's cheerful courage had never failed in many a bloody
battle, but now the dread and horror of assassination almost
overcame him, and father Eusebis with difficulty supported
him. But during the time that they traversed the long passages
he succeeded not only in gaining complete possession of himself, but
in resolving fully, to play with boldness, the desperate game that awaited
him. As the doors of the vault opened, Edgar beheld the
fierce Empecinado whose eyes sparkled with wrath and
vengeance. Behind him stood many guerillas, and several franciscan
monks. Edgar by this time completely self collected, walked
firmly up to the chief of the guerillas, and said calmly and earnestly,

"It suits me well to meet you at this time Don Empecinado.
I was about to petition Don Rafael for a visit, the permission I can
now receive from yourself. I am now quite recovered - father Eusebio
my physician, and faithful attendant can testify to this - my strength
has completely returned, and I can no longer bear a residence of
tedious inactivity amongst our detested foes. I pray you Don
Empecinado let me leave the city by your secret path, and join
your troops, that I may accomplish those deeds, for which my
very soul thirsts."

"Hem," replied Empecinado, in an almost malicious
tone," Do you then still hold to the mad people, who will suffer death
rather than pay hommage [homage] to The Great Nation? Have not your
friends taught you better than that?"The german character is unknown to you. Don Enipecinado,"
said Edgar collectedly, "you know not that german courage
burns in a clear inextinguishable flame, that the steadfast
german faith is an impenetrable armour, from which the
poisoned arrows of craft and villany rebound powerless.
I pray you again, Don Empecinado, place me once more in freedom that I
may confirm the good opinion, which I believe I have already deserved."

Empecinado looked at Edgar with astonishment,
while a low murmur ran through the assembly. Don Rafael
would have spoken with Empecinado, but he waved him back,
approached Edgar, seized his hand, and said with emotion,

"You were called here to day for something very different
- but - Don Edgar! think of your native land! The enemy
that has covered it with shame, stands before you here. Think
that the phoenix which shall ascend with brilliant wings, from
our smoldering flames, will shine also on your german
brothers till despair is changed to ardour, and the death struggle,
to victory."

"I thought of all that," replied Edgar gently, "before
I left my fatherland to shed my blood for your freedom, my
whole being dissolved in thirst for vengeance, when Don
Baldassare lay dying in my arms."

"Are you in earnest," cried Empecinado, suddenly
flaming up as if in anger, "then must you leave this night, this
moment, you must no more enter Don Rafael's house."

Edgar declared that his was his wish, and he was immediately
led away by a man named Isidore Mirr, afterward a chief of guerillas
and father Eusebio. On the way, the good father could not assure
Edgar of his sympathy often enough. "Heaven," said he, "took chargeof your virtue, and gave you that courage, that seemed to me a
miracle." - Much nearer Valencia than the enemy
dreamed of, they found the first guerilla band, and Edgar
at once joined it.

I shall pass over Edgar's warlike adventures, which might
seem like the heroic fables of the past, and come at once to the moment
when Edgar quite unexpectedly, met Don Rafael amongst
the guerillas. "You have really been unjustly treated," said
Don Rafael. Edgar turned his back upon him.

About twilight, Don Rafael became evidently uneasy,
and this uneasiness increased gradually, until it became [The]
fearful anguish. He ran here and the, wrung his hands sobbed,
prayed. "What is the matter with the old man?" asked Edgar.
["He succeeded]  "After he had left Valencia," replied Isidore
Mirr, "he succeeded in saving his most valuable possessions,
and lading mules with them. These he is expecting to-night,
and may well fear lest evil happen to them." Edgar was
surprised at the old mans avarice, which seemed to make
him forget everything else. It was midnight. The moon
shone clear on the mountains, when they heard quick shooting
in the ravine below. Soon several guerillas limped in, severely
wounded. They announced that the party escorting Don Rafael's
mules, were suddenly fallen on by a body of french sharpshooters.
Nearly all their comrades were overpowered, the
mules were already in the enemy's power.

"Great God, my child, my poor unhappy child!"
shrieked Don Rafael, and sunk senseless on the ground.

"What is to be done?" cried Edgar loud, "up - up brothers,
down into the ravine, down, and avenge the blood of our
brave ones, tear the prey out of the teeth of the dogs.""The brave german is right," cried Mirr, sounded the
alarm, and they rushed down to the ravine, like a
whirlwind!

A few guerillas still defended themselves with the
courage of despair. With the cry, "Valencia!" Edgar flung
himself into the thickest of the enemy, and the guerillas, with
the death-boding cry of the blood-thirsty tiger, flung themselves after
him, thrust their daggers into the breast of the paralysed foe,
beat them down with clubs. Those who fled, were brought down
by unerring bullets.

All was already decided, when Edgar heard a piercing
shriek proceed from the thicket; he hastened there and perceived
a little man fighting with a frenchman, and holding the
bridle of a mule that stood behind him, between his teeth. At
that moment, before Edgar could reach them, the frenchman
struck down the little man with his dagger, and was about
to force the mule deep into the wood. Edgar cried aloud, the
frenchman shot, missed, Edgar ran him through the body
with his bayonet. The little man moaned, Edgar lifted
him up, freed him with some difficulty from the bridle into
which he had convulsively bitten, and as he was about to place
him on the mule, perceived for the first time , that a veiled
form sat upon it, which was leaning down clasping 
the animal's neck, and softly weeping. Edgar laid the
wounded man behind the maiden, for such he judged the form
to be, from the voice, seized the mule's bridle, and soon reached
the camping ground, where Mirr and his men had already
arrived. They lifted the little man who had fainted from
loss of blood, down from the mule, and then the maiden.At that moment, Don Rafael rushed forward
quite beside himself, crying, "My child, my sweet child."
He was about to [lift] take the child who seemed hardly eight or
nine years old in his arms, when the clear torch-light
fell on Edgar's face; he suddenly fell at his feet, crying,

"Oh Don Edgar, Don Edgar, this knee has never bowed
to mortal, but you are no man, you are an angel of light,
sent to save me from endless despair! Oh Don Edgar
shameful suspicions rooted themselves in my unholy breast.
Accursed project, to condemn you, the noblest of men to
an ignominious death, you whose heart is filled with
truth and courage! Strike me down Don Edgar, take bloody
vengeance on a wretch. Never can you forgive my guilt."

Edgar who was conscious of having done nothing
more than duty and honour commanded, felt pained by
Don Rafael's behaviour. He tried in every way to calm
him, and at length succeeded.

Don Rafael related that Colonel La Combe, had
been quite beside himself, on Edgar's disappearance, he
suspected foul play, searched the whole house, and [demanded] intended
[the] to arrest him. This obliged him to fly, and it was
with difficulty that the franciscans succeeded in forwarding
his daughter with the servant and the barest necessaries
from Valencia.

Meanwhile the wounded servant, and Don Rafael's
daughter, had been sent on farther; Don Rafael who was too
old to share the daring enterprises of the Guerillas, followed
them. At his sorrowful parting from Edgar he handed
him a talisman which saved him from many pressingdangers."

Here Euchar ended his narration, which seemed
to have excited the sympathy of all the company.

The poet, who had recovered from his fit of coughing,
and come in again, thought there was good material for
a tragedy, in Edgar's spanish adventures, only he should wish
to add some love scenes, and a good conclusion, with a bonafide
murder, apoplexy, frenzy or something of the sort.

"Ah yes love,' said a young lady, blushing as she spoke,
"Your story dear baron, otherwise so pretty, needed some charming
love adventure." "Did I promise you a romance,"
said Euchar smiling, "Was I not relating the fate of my friend
Edgar? His life in the wild spanish mountains, was alas very
poor in adventures of that sort." "I rather think I know
this Edgar," murmured Victorine to herself, "he remains poor
because he disdains the richest gifts."

No one however was so enthusiastic as Ludwig.
"Oh," cried he aloud, "I know that mysterious, 'Prophecy of the
Pyrinecs', by Don Baptista of Ariaza! It set me on fire,
I would have gone to Spain, and shared in those furious struggles,
had it only been an event of my Destiny. I can enter
fully into Edgar's situation, how I would have spoken to the
fierce Empecinado at that fateful moment, in the franciscan
vault!" Ludwig then began, so pathetic a discourse, that
everyone was astonished, and could not sufficiently admire
his courage, and heroic determination. "But it lay not
amongst the events of Destiny," interrupted the Presidentess, "but
it may lie amongst them, or at any rate happen, that I thought
to-day of a little entertainment for my friends, which will give quitea characteristic conclusion to our Euchar's narration.

The doors opened, and Emanuela entered, accompanied
by the little deformed Biagio Cubas who held the
guitar in his hands, and greeted the company with odd bows. 
Emanuela entered the circle, with that indescribable grace, which
Euchar and Ludwig had admired in the park; she bowed, and with
the sweetest of voices, said she had come there to exhibit a talent, which
perhaps might only please through its singularity.

During the few days since the friends had seen her, the maiden
seemed to have grown taller fuller and more attractive in stature,
she was tastefully and even richly dressed. While Cubas, with
a hundred ludicrous gestures made the preparations for the Fandango
amongst the nine eggs, Ludwig whispered in his friend's
ear, "now you can demand your ring Euchar!" "Ninny!"
replied he, "Don't you see it on my finger, I drew it off with my
glove, and found it in the glove the same evening."

Emanuela's dance rivetted everyone's attention, for
no one had ever seen anything like it. While Euchar directed
an earnest unchanging gaze on the dancer, Ludwig broke
out in loud expressions of the greatest enthusiasm. Victorine
near whom he sat, said in his ear, "Hypocrite, you dare to speak to
me of love, when you are in love with that little forward thing, that
spanish rope-dancer. Don't you dare to look at her again." Ludwig
was not a little embarrassed, by Victorine's immense love for him,
which could thus break out into jealousy, with no reasonable grounds.
"I am very happy," he said to himself, "but it is constraining."

When the dance was ended, Emanuela took the guitar,
and began some pleasant spanish songs. Ludwig begged her
to repeat the beautiful song, which she sang to his friend Euchar.Emanuela immediately began

Immortal glory to the great Palafox etc.
Her animation continually increased, her voice became
fuller in tone, the chords of the instrument grew louder. At last
came the strophe which announced the freedom of her native
land, then her glowing look fell on Euchar, a stream of tears
burst from her eyes, she sank down on her knee. The Presidentess
sprang quickly to her, raised her up, and said, "No more, no
more, my sweet child! And leading her to a sofa she kissed
her forehead, and stroked her hair.

"She is crazy," cried Victorine in Ludwig's ear. "You
[do] can not love a maniac. No - tell me on the spot, that you
do not love a maniac." "My God, no, no!" cried Ludwig quite
shocked. He was quite bewildered by this violent outburst of
Victorine's love.

While the Presidentess forced sweet wine and biscuits
on Emanuela, the bold little guitarist Biago who had sunk
down sobbing in a corner, was served with a glass of good
Xeres; with a joyful "Lady may you live a thousand years," he
drained it to the last drop.

It can be imagined, how the ladies now pressed
round Emanuela, and stormed her with questions about her
native land, her relations etc. The Presidentess felt [the] her painful
situation [of Emanuela] too keenly, not to force her speedily
from it; she contrived to break up the circle into groups, into
which even the piquet-players entered. The consistorial-president
thought the little spaniard, a charming creature, but that cursed
dance affected his legs, and made him as giddy, as if satan were
dancing a jig with him. The singing was something unique, it hadenchanted him.

Count Walter Puck on the contrary, despised her singing
which had no trills, but praised her dancing highly, which
he declared delicious. He added that he understood something about
it, as he once learned a similar one from the ballet master.
"Would you believe brother-president," said he, that I as a juvenile
paragon of celerity and strength, jumped the Fiocco, and
beat down a tambourine, that hung nine feet above the tip of
any nose. And as to the fandango amongst the eggs, I have crushed
more eggs at a time, than seven hens could lay in a day." Meanwhile
Emanuela and Cubas had vanished.

As the company were about to separate, the Presidentess
said, "Friend Euchar, I wager you know much more that
is interesting about your friend Edgar! Your narration is a 
fragment, which has so excited us that we shall all have a
sleepless night. I grant you only till tomorrow evening, to satisfy
us. We must learn more about Don Rafael, Empecinado,
and the guerillas, and if it is possible for Edgar to fall in
love, do not hide it from us." "That will be excellent," was
heard on all sides, and Euchar was obliged to promise to meet
them the following evening, with the materials to complete his
fragment.

On their way home, Ludwig could not expatiate sufficiently,
on Victorine's love for him, which seemed to border on frenzy.
"But," cried he, "her jealousy has opened my eyes, I have
looked deep within, and find that I love Emanuela inexpressibly.
I will seek her out, confess my love - and clasp her
to my heart!" "Do so, my dear," said Euchar calmly.

The next evening, when the company had assembledwith the presidentess, she announced with regret, that
Euchar had written to her stating, that an unforeseen occurrence
had called him suddenly away, on which account
he must delay the completion of his fragment, till
his return.

Chap 3rd
Euchar's return. Scene from a very happy
marriage. Conclusion of our history.

Two years might have passed by, when a handsome
closely packed travelling-carriage, stopped before the golden angel, the
best hotel in W. from which descended a young man, a veiled
lady, and an old gentleman. Ludwig was passing by, and
stopped to observe the new comers with his lorgnette. At that
moment the young man turned round, and with the cry, "Ludwig,
my Ludwig, how glad I am to see you!" threw himself into
Ludwig's arms.

He was greatly surprised to see his friend Euchar again,
so unexpectedly. For the young man who descended from the carriage
was no other than Euchar. "My dear friend," [who] said Ludwig,
"who is the veiled lady, and the old gentleman who are
come with you? All seems so strange to me - and there comes
the baggage waggon, and on it sits - gracious Heaven - do I see
aright?"

Euchar took Ludwig by the arm, [and] led him some steps
down the street, and said "You shall know all in good time, dear
friend, but now tell me how you are? You look very pale,
your eye is grown dull, you look, I must tell you candidly, ten
years older. Have you been ill? Have you suffered some heavy misfortune? "Oh no," replied Ludwig, "on the contrary I amthe happiest man under the sun, and lead a really utopian life
of love and pleasure. For you must know, that the divine
Victorine granted me her lovely hand, a year ago. That
beautiful house yonder with the bright windows, is my residence,
and the best thing you can do, is to come strait with
me, and visit me in my earthly paradise. How my
good wife will rejoice to see you again. Let us surprise her."
Euchar begged for time enough to change his clothes, and then
promised to come and witness his friend's perfect happiness.

Ludwig met his friend at the foot of the stairs, and
begged him to step as lightly as possible, as [she] Victorine suffered more
that ever from severe nervous headaches, which reduced her
to such a sensitive condition, that she could hear the lightest
tread, although her apartments were in the most retired
part of the house. They both crept softly along, over the carpetted
stairs, through the corridor, and into Ludwig's room.

After a hearty outpouring of joy at his return, Ludwig pulled the
bell, but cried out immediately, "Good God! what have I done,
wretch that I am!" and buried his face in his hands. It was
not long before a snappish little waiting-maid, burst in,
and cried to Ludwig [with] in a vulgar [shriek] shrill tone, "Sir
baron what are you doing? Will you kill [the] my lady the baroness,
who lies in convulsions?" "My God!" groaned Ludwig,
"good Annette, I did not think of it in my joy! See, the baron
my dearest friend is arrived - we have not met for years -
an old intimate friend of your lady's - beg her, entreat her, to
allow him to present himself. Do so good Annette!" Ludwig
put money into her hand, and she left the room, with a snappish,
"I will see what can be done!Euchar who saw in all this a scene too often found in
real life, and represented in a hundred romances and comedies
had his own thoughts about the domestic happiness of his
friend. He felt for Ludwig, and began to speak of indifferent
things. But this Ludwig would not permit. Too many
singular things had happened to him, since they met, and
he must relate them.

"You will certainly remember that evening at the
presidentess Vechi," said he, "when you related some events
in your friend Edgar's life. You will remember how Victorine
glowed with jealousy, and disclosed a heart inflamed with love
for me. And I, fool that I was, I will confess it to you, I
fell in love with that little spanish dancer, and I saw by her
looks that I did not love in vain. You must have observed, at the
close of the Fandango, that as she rolled the eggs together into a
pyramid, that the point of the pyramid pointed to me, as I
stood behind the chair of the presidentess, in the middle of the circle.
Now could she express better, how deeply I interested her?
I wished the next day, to search out the dear little thing,
but it was not amongst the events of Destiny, that it should
happen. I had almost forgotten [the little thing] her, when accidently

"The events of Destiny," broke in Euchar.

"Even so," continued Ludwig, "well, I was one day passing
through the park, by the tavern, where we first saw the little
Spaniard. The hostess ran out to me - you have no idea what
an interest that good woman who applied vinegar and water to my
wounded knee, takes in me - she asked eagerly where the dancing
girl and her attendant were, who had drawn so many people
to her house, as they had not been seen, for many weeks. It gavemyself the greatest trouble seeking for them the next day, but
nothing came of it. My heart now repented of its folly, and
turned again to the adorable Victorine. But my outrageous infidelity
was so impressed on her too sensitive mind that she
would neither see nor hear me. The good Cochenille declared
that she had fallen into deep melancholy, that she often burst into
tears, and cried disconsolately, "I have lost him, I have lost him!"
You can imagine what an effect this had on me, and how I was
overwhelmed with sorrow for this unlucky misunderstanding.
Cochenille offered to help me, he undertook to explain skilfully
to the baroness, my real feeling, to describe my despair, to tell
her that I was no longer the same, that I never danced more than
four times at the balls, that at the Theatre I stared unthinking at the
side-scenes, neglected my dress etc. I let the gold-pieces flow
freely, and every morning he brought me new hope. At last Victorine
permitted me to see her. Ah how beautiful she was! Oh
Victorine, my dear, sweet wife, grace and goodness itself!"

Annette entered and announced to Ludwig, that the
Baroness was quite astonished at the baron's conduct. First
he rang as if the house was on fire, and then expected that ill as she
was, she should be burdened with visits. She could see no one
to-day, and begged the gentleman to excuse her. Annette stared
in [Edgar's] Euchar's face, measured him from head to foot, and then left
the room.

Ludwig looked down in silence, and then continued
in rather a low voice, "You can hardly imagine with what
an almost scornful coldness, Victorine met me. Indeed Had not her
former outburst of love, convinced me that the coldness was
assumed in order to punish me, I should have been in great doubt.At last the dissimulation was too much for her, her behaviour
grew more friendly till [at last] one day she entrusted me with her
shawl at a ball. This completed my triumph. I arranged
that fated dance a second time. I danced divinely with her,
the heavenly one, while my arm was around her, and I balanced
on the right toe, I whispered, "Divine, heavenly Countess,
I love you inexpressibly, I adore you - be mine Angel of
light!" Victorine laughed in my face, but this did not
prevent my calling on her the next day, at a proper hour, that
is to say about one o'clock, and through the good offices of my
friend Cochenille, I gained access to her, and supplicated
her hand. She looked silently at me. I fell at her feet,
seized her hand, and covered it with glowing kisses. She
let me do so, but it struck me as strange that her solemn fixed
look, seemed without the power of sight, like a lifeless image.
At last two large tears fell from her eyes, she squeezed my hand
so violently that I cried out, for I had a sore finger, then rose, and
with her handkerchief to her eyes left the room. My happiness
was no longer doubtful to me. I hastened to the Count
and demanded his daughter. "Good, very good, my dear Baron,"
said the count, smiling well pleased, "but have you let the
countess understand this, does she love you? I am quite
a fool about love!" I told the Count what had happened at
the dance. His eyes sparkled with joy. "That is delicious,
quite delicious, he repeated again and again. What is the
step my dear baron!" I danced the [step] figure for him,
and remained standing in the position that I once described
to you. "Charming, my angelic friend, perfectly charming,"
cried the count full of rapture, then running to the door24

cried "Cochenille, Cochenille!"

When Cochenille entered, I hummed the tune I
had composed for this figure, to him. "Take your flageolet,"
said the Count, and play the air." He made me dance
with him and represent the lady, then hovering on the
point of his right foot, he whispered in my ear," Chosen
one of the baron, my daughter Victorine is thine!"

The charming Victorine, now behaved [as] with the caprice of most young
ladies [do]. She remained silent and frigid, said neither
yes nor no, and behaved in such a way to me, that my hopes
again sank. I now learned too, that at the time when I had
mistaken the cousin for Victorine in the dance, the two
girls had concerted that wicked plot together, in order to
mystify me in a horrible manner. Indeed I was greatly
troubled and began to think that it lay in the events of Destiny
that I should be led about by the nose. Vain trouble - quite
unexpectedly, when I was almost sunk in the deepest
grief. The heavenly yes! trembled on the sweet lips. I was
now sure of the constraint which Victorine had put upon herself,
for she showed an extravagant gaiety quite unusual
in her. True, she would not permit the most innocent caress,
I hardly dared kiss her hand, but that was from excessive modesty.
It is true many of my friends tried to put nonsense into my head,
but the day before my marriage served to annihilate my last
doubt. Early in the morning, I hastened to my bride. She was
not in her room. Some papers were lying on her work-table. I
cast a glance on them, it was Victorine's neat feminine writing.
I read, it was a [jour] diary - Oh heaven! each day, gave me a new
proof of how ardently, how unspeakably, Victorine always25

loved me. The most trivial event was set down, and it ran
thus, "Thou dost not understand this heart - Unfeeling one! Shall
I, casting aside all maidenly shame, in my despair, fall at thy
feet, and say to thee, that without thy love, life seems a sleep of
death?" In this manner it went on. Of that evening when I
fell in love with the little spaniard, I read, "All is lost - he
loves her - nothing is more certain. Madman, dost thou
not know that the glance of a loving woman penetrates the
inmost thought?" - I was reading that aloud, when Victorine
entered, I flung myself down before her, with the diary in my
hand, crying, "No, no, I never loved that singular child,
than thou alone, wast always my idol!" Victorine
stared fixedly at me, then with a ringing voice that still
sounds in my ear she cried, "wretched man! It was not you
I meant!" and fled from me, into an adjoining room.

Could you have believed that female bashfulness, would have
gone so far!" -

At this moment Annette entered, and asked in the
baronesse's name, why the baron did not introduce the stranger
to her, as she had been vainly awaiting the proposed visit
for half an hour. "Admirable, excellent woman," said the
baron, quite moved, she sacrifices herself to my wishes."
Euchar was not a little astonished to find the baroness
elaborately dressed.

"I bring you, our dear Euchar, come to us once more,"
cried Ludwig; but as Euchar approached the baroness, and
took her hand, she trembled all over, and with a low cry, "Oh God!"
she sank fainting on the couch.

Euchar who could not support the pain of that mo-26

-ment, withdrew quickly. "Wretched man," said he to himself,
"no, you were not meant." He foresaw the boundless misery,
into which his friend's inconceivable vanity had cast him. He
knew now, whom Victorine's love concerned, and felt deeply
moved by it. Many moments now became clear to him, that
he had not regarded in his unconscious simplicity. Now for
the first time he understood the passionate Victorine, and could
hardly comprehend, how he had never suspected her love. Those
moments came clearly before him, in which Victorine's love
had nearly declared itself regardless of restraint, and he felt
now, that those were just the moments when a mysterious antipathy
to the beautiful girl had [seized upon him put him
into the most ill-humored disposition to her] produced the
most ungracious displeasure towards her. This displeasure
now turned against himself, while the deepest compassion
filled him, for one so tried.

The same evening, the company who had listened two
years before to Edgar's spanish adventures, was assembled at
the presidentess Vech's. He was received with loud rejoicings,
but it felt like an electric shock, when he perceived Victorine,
whom he had not expected. She bore no trace of illness, her
eyes beamed as radiantly as ever, and a rich tasteful dress
heightened her graceful beauty. Edgar, distressed by her presence,
was depressed and embarrassed. Victorine managed to approach
him, seized his hand, and leading him aside, said calmly and
earnestly, "You know my husband's theory of the events of Destiny.
Our [true] destiny, I think we form ourselves, by those follies which
we commit, [and] repent, and again commit, till our life becomes
one in which self persecutes us unceasingly. Euchar I know all!I know whom I shall see this evening - I know that today
for the first time you have understood me. Not you, but
my evil spirit, brought bitter hopeless suffering on me.
The demon left me, at the very moment when I saw you again!
Rest and peace be with us Euchar!" - "Yes," replied
Euchar moved. "Yes Victorine, rest and peace be with us,
the eternal Power leaves no mistaken life without hope." -
"All is now over, and well," said Victorine, brushed away two
tears, and again joined the company.

The Presidentess who had observed them, now whispered
to Euchar, "I have told her all, did I do right?" Euchar assented sadly.

The Company, now, while joyfully welcoming Euchar's return,
beset him with questions as to where he had been, and what
had happened to him.

"I am now come," Euchar began, "to fulfil my promise
of two years ago; namely to relate other occurences of my friend
Edgar's history, and to round it off properly by adding the Keystone
which our poet missed. And as I can assure you, that there will
be no more gloomy vaults, no murders or the like, but on the contrary
according to the wish of the ladies a thoroughly romantic love,
I shall hope for full approval." There was universal applause,
and a close circle was quickly formed, in the midst of which Euchar
was seated, and began at once;

I shall pass over the almost fabulous adventures of Edgar
while he fought amongst the guerillas, and only observe, that the
talisman which Don Rafael had given him, was a ring with secret
ciphers, which marked him as one initiated into the most secret counsels
of the confederates. This gained him everywhere, the unbounded
confidence of the initiated, and rendered the recurrence of such a dangeras he had run in Valencia, impossible. He afterwards joined
the english troops, and fought under Wellington, no more
hostile balls struck him, and on the termination of the campaign
he returned strong and vigorous to his native-land.
He had neither seen nor heard anything farther of Don Rafael.
Edgar had been for sometime in his [own country] native town, when
one day, Don Rafael's ring, which he constantly wore, disappeared
in a strange way, from his hand. Quite early the next morning,
a strange little man entered his room, and holding up the ring,
asked if it was not his. When Edgar in a friendly tone assented,
the man quite beside himself, cried out in spanish, "Oh Don Edgar,
it is you - it is you, there can be no more doubt of it!" The form and
features of the little man, now came back to Edgar's remembrance,
it was Don Rafael's faithful servant, who had endeavoured
with such heroic courage to save his daughter. "By all the saints,
you are Don Rafael's servant! I recognize you now - where is he!
My strange presentiment, verifies itself!" So cried Edgar, and
the little man besought him, to come with him at once.

He led Edgar to a distant suburb of the town, and to the garret
of a miserable house. What a spectacle! There lay Don Rafael
Marchez, on a straw matress, thus seek[ing], with the traces of a consuming melancholy on his pallid
countenance, and by him knelt a maiden, a child of heaven! As
Edgar entered, she rushed towards him, and leading him to the old
man, cried in a tone of rapture, "Father - Father, it is he, is it not?"

"Yes," said the old man, while his sunken eyes kindled, and he
raised his clasped hands with difficulty to heaven," it is he, our
preserver! - Oh Don Edgar, who would have thought, that the
fires which glowed in me for freedom and my country, would be
turned against me for my ruin.

After the first expressions of delight and pain, EdgarEdgar learned that through the crafty wickedness of the enemy, after
peace had been restored, he had been made suspicious to the government,
a sentence of banishment passed on him, and his estates
confiscated. He fell into the deepest misery. His faithful daughter
and servant, supported him by dance and song. "It
is Emanuela, it is Biagio Cubas," cried Ludwig, and all exclaimed
together, "yes it is Emanuela, it is Cubas!"

The presidentess commanded silence, as although much had
become clear, the narrator must not be interrupted until the full
completion of his story. Besides she guessed that when Edgar
beheld ["It is even so," continued Euchar,] the charming Emanuela
he fell deeply in love with her.

"It is even so," continued Euchar, while a light
flush overspread his face. "Already, when he had before seen
this admirable child, the sweetest presentiments had filled his
breast, and the unknown feeling of fervent love had kindled
his heart! Edgar could, must help them. He brought Don
Rafael, with Emanuela & the faithful Cubas to his Uncle's estate. (I
myself helped in the arrangement) Don Rafael's star, was now
again in the ascendant, for he soon after received a letter
from the good father Eusebio, telling him that the monks who
[were] knew the corner of his house, where he had buried considerable
treasure of gold and jewels before leaving Valencia, had succeeded
[in forwarding them to him by a trusting person] in securing them
and only awaited a trusty person to forward them. Edgar determined
to journey to Valencia, with the faithful Cubas. He saw
his good nurse, father Eusebio again, and received Don Rafael's
treasure from him. He knew however that Don Rafael, held his
honour far higher than gold. He succeeded in convincing thegovernment of Don Rafael's entire innocence, and the
sentence of banishment was revoked."

The doors suddenly opened, and a richly clothed
lady entered, accompanied by an old man of proud lofty
presence. The presidentess hastened to meet them, led the
lady into the circle, while all rose from their places, and said,
"Donna Emanuela Marchez, our Euchar's bride, - Don Rafael Marchez!"

"Yes," said Euchar, "while the bliss of attained [2] happiness [1]
sparkled in his eyes, and glowed on his cheeks, "it only remains
for me to say that, he whom I have named Edgar, is no other than myself." Victorine clasped the lovely Emanuela in her arms, and
in that pressure they learned to know each other. Ludwig, while
he cast a somewhat troubled glance on the group, said, "All that lay
in the events of Destiny!"