Julie, or, Love and duty

Contents

CHAPTER PAGE

I. THE DOCTOR'S VISIT 1

II. REFLECTIONS — ARRANGEMENTS FOR, AND COM- MENCEMENT OF, A PARTY OF PLEASURE . 13

Chapter I. The Doctor's Visit

Outside the northern gate of the town of

W stands a small house, painted yellow,

and surrounded by a pretty shrubbery.

One evening, about the end of January 1828, Widow von Horst, the owner of this house, sat in her comfortable armchair before the blazing fire. Her feet rested upon a stuffed stool, and upon her knees lay, in the happiest union, her work-box, spectacles, and knitting. The room was not what one would now call elegant, the painting on the walls was faded, and the furniture appeared to have

B seen its best days, some eighteen or twenty years before ; however the chairs and sofas were all stuffed, according to the good old fashion, with horsehair, and covered with damask. Those who attentively examined the fine material of the curtains might easily see that what, at a hasty survey, appeared to be new flowers upon old stuff, was simply the holes caused by increasing age, which were skilfully joined and hidden.

Between two large mirrors, under which stood gilded console tables with marble slabs, hung the portrait of the late Captain von Horst, and also those of his two deceased sons. Everything here spoke of better days, long passed away ; but there pervaded over the whole a tone of order and quiet cheerfulness, which made this residence extremely comfortable for the few friends with whom Mrs. von Horst associated.

Mrs. von Horst was a lady who knew how to retain, even in her days of adversity, a certain dignity of demeanour which well became her; and many asserted that they could remember that few ladies knew how to

LOVE AND DUTY.

appear at table, or to enter a drawing-room, with more grace than Mrs. von Horst at the time when she and her husband mixed in the gay world. But for more than ten years she had led her present quiet life. This change of fortune had tried Mrs. von Horst in the highest degree. The death of her husband and of her two sons followed close upon each other. Her husband had not left his affairs in a good state, and a scanty pension, with the small house and grounds, were all that remained to her. She was, however, cheerful under her afflictions, for she had still one child left. This one treasure was an amiable daughter of eighteen years of age, who now constituted her pride and her hope.

" Marie," said the mother, again taking up her knitting, and casting a glance at the side of the room where the engaging girl — the sweetest and most lovely of beings — sat at a table, with her small head resting upon one hand, whilst with the other she thoughtfully turned over the leaves of a book, from which she was reading aloud. At the well-known voice she raised her beautiful dark blue eyes,

B 2 but, as if by an involuntary impulse, they glided over the clock before they reached her mother. Hastily she cast them down, and whispered scarcely audibly—

" Did you call, mamma V

" Yes, my child/' continued Mrs. von Horst. " I wished to ask you why you read so indistinctly this evening. I think you had better sit nearer to me."

" Oh ! it is impossible for me to read near the stove, on account of the hea,t," answered Marie, quickly, and recommencing her occupation with a slight cough in order to clear her voice. She continued reading until nearly a quarter to six o'clock, but then closed the book, and exclaimed in an uneasy tone, as she rose —

" How very strange it is ! Klein generally comes at five o'clock, and it is now a quarter to six !"

"What do you find so strange in this, Marie V asked her mother, in that quiet and indifferent tone which, whether it be natural or assumed, so well restores the equilibrium in the train of thought of her who, upon the

LOVE AND DUTY.

impulse of the moment, gives utterance to something which she would rather should not be understood. But Marie was too inexperienced, and too innocent, to be able to avail herself of this ; she became embarrassed at her sudden agitation, and it was only after she had resumed her seat, that she answered as calmly as she could —

" The Doctor is generally very exact to his time \"

It is an uncontested truth, that all should, from various causes, be exact as to time ; but Mrs. von Horst had too much tact on this occasion either to see or to wish to see more than what she displayed to Marie.

"I should not be in the least surprised," said she, "if Klein, who, on account of his enlarged practice, must economise his time very much, discontinues his visits to us, as it is now several weeks since he declared me out of all danger. To come here three evenings in the week is a kindness which he cannot continue much longer, and which we also should be asking too much to desire.1'

As Marie did not answer, she continued —

"And besides I don't wish it; and to say the truth, I am very happy to be at last able to settle accounts with our good Doctor."

" It appears to me, dear mamma, that he would feel offended if you were to offer him money for the tender care which he took of you during your illness," stammered Marie, troubled at her audacity at saying a word in objection to her mother's determination.

" I don't see anything insulting in it, my child. Such false shame on the part of the patient would be of little benefit to the physician ; and according to my ideas, it is

only " Here Mrs. von Horst stopped

short, for in the anteroom a step was heard, and the well-known sound of taking off galoshes, warned them quickly to change the conversation.

" Prepare the tea, Marie ! I have something to say to the Doctor."

The daughter had hardly received this short command and withdrawn by one door, when another opened, and Doctor Klein, whom we have the honour to announce as our hero, entered.

LOVE AND DUTY.

He was a tall man of interesting appearance and dignified demeanour, with mild pleasant features, and an expression of seriousness and kindness upon his open brow.

" Good evening, mj dear madam," said he, with the familiar cordiality of an intimate acquaintance, as after a slight but respectful salutation, he took a chair near the hostess.

" I am late this evening ; but the arrangements for a pleasure party which has been fixed for to-morrow detained me. I hope your health is improving."

A speaking glance at the empty place by the little table was just as good as a question ; but Mrs. von Horst seemed not to have observed it, and eagerly answered the first inquiry.

" Yes, thanks to God and your care, Doctor, I may say that I have not felt myself so well for many years, and therefore I really hope you will allow me to leave off all medicine."

"Do you then class my continued visits under the head of medicine V said Klein jestingly, "you have already ceased several weeks ago taking what I prescribed for you/'

u Oh ! Doctor Klein," she answered in some embarrassment ; " I mean the Peruvian bark which I still take."

" That you may leave off as soon as your strength is quite restored. But forgive me the question, is the young lady not visible this evening V

"She is occupied with some little household affairs," was the mamma's excuse. "Marie will soon be here. In the meantime I have something to say to you."

The Doctor, who was just about to repair to the other end of the room, was obliged to reseat himself at this invitation.

Mrs. von Horst coughed two or three times, then rising, she went to a writing-desk, took something out of it, and returned to her seat.

" My good Doctor," she began, with the most marked expression of gratitude in her tone, " I am ashamed that I have not sooner been able to pay that part of my debt, which ought long ago to have been in your hands. As to the other part, my gratitude for what

LOVE AND DUTY.

you have done for us during this trying time, I know that this never can be repaid, nor even expressed, but only felt."

After this preparatory introduction, which according to Mrs. von Horst's way of thinking was a non plus ultra of delicacy, she delivered over to Klein a folded paper, with the certainty that he would find the sum which it contained very liberal for her circumstances; and therefore she cast her eyes down in order that she might not see his surprise. But as the Doctor stretched out his hand to take up something at her side, she could not resist looking up, and the glance which there met hers, expressed almost everything else but satisfaction.

A long unpleasant silence succeeded.

Klein distinctly saw that Mrs. von Horst wished to make use of the Doctor's fee only as a convenient pretext to let him know he might discontinue his visits. He required a few minutes to recover himself after such a surprise.

He had opened the paper with uneasiness and astonishment, but when the bank notes

B 3 met his view, he let the in fall upon the ground, amazed; and it was at this moment that he and Mrs. von Horst saw deeper into each other's thoughts and motives of action than before. She, on her part, found by the single glance which they exchanged that she had committed a great mistake ; and that it would have been better to have let the affair take its own course, " but," replied the motherly foresight, " who can venture to risk the happiness of an only and beloved child upon the possibility of such uncertain hopes ? I am curious to see how it will end; this silence must be broken at last."

" Gracious lady ! I cannot for two reasons take this money. First, because my attention during, and after your illness, was not of that kind for which a physician will receive a fee as requital for his trouble ; secondly, because I perceive that you intend in this way to gain an end, for which, excuse my frankness, you might have chosen a less mortifying means."

He made a cold, stiff bow, and took his hat.

"But what in the world are you thinking

LOVE AND DUTY.

of, my dear Doctor!" cried Mrs. von Horst, with such a natural air of astonishment that Klein could not help putting his hand in the one offered to him.

" We must not separate in this manner," said she kindly, " although I do not quite understand the delicacy of the young people of the present time, yet I will not speak again about the money. I perceive that Marie was right when she said, an hour ago, that I should give you offence by offering it."

" Did she really say so V asked Klein, who could not resist pressing the hand which he held in his.

"Yes, she understood the matter better," continued the mamma ; " and you, Doctor, if you will remain in future, as up to this time, a friend to our poor house, permit me to go and tell Marie to make haste with the tea."

Klein reflected a few moments, and too much inclined to the reconciliation himself, he said —

" Well, I will forget all, for I feel that I cannot resist the agreeable entree to your house."

Mrs. von Horst nodded kindly to her guest, and disappeared.

"Woman — woman! artful as you are," he murmured to himself, "I have seen through you. Well! that was a trying hour, but it is better as it now is I"

LOVE AND DUTY.

Chapter II

REFLECTIONS — ARRANGEMENTS FOR, AND COMMENCEMENT OF, A PARTY OF PLEASURE.

The door was now opened and a little maiden, holding a tray, entered. She set it on the table, made a curtsy to the Doctor, and after snuffing the candles and wiping off some spots on the table with her apron, she left the room, enraged that the Doctor had not once noticed her little person.

Scarcely a minute later Marie appeared in her simple, but tasteful morning dress, in which she always looked to Klein's eyes, much more lovely, than if she had made the most recherche toilet. She greeted him with a friendly smile ;

but as he, instead of making her as usual, a slight bow at a few steps distance, approached, took her hand, and for the first time, raised it to his lips, with a look which made hers sink to the ground, she felt an unusual oppression, and the change from red to white betrayed in the highest degree her inward emotion.

" Dear Marie," said Klein, in an expressive tone which went to the heart, " I thank you for not misunderstanding my honest intentions, and for having judged me better than your mother."

These words restored Marie again to her usual tranquillity of mind.

" Oh ! indeed Doctor Klein," she said with the most unaffected simplicity, " it was quite natural that I should understand you better than Mamma ; believe me, I am so happy that you did not go away in anger."

This answer, which delighted Klein, had also the effect of making him gayer than usual, so that he tried to joke Marie a little about her candour.

" And why then was it so natural, my dear Mademoiselle, that you should be able to

LOVE AND DUTY.

judge ine better V he asked with a significant smile.

" In truth, Doctor Klein/' answered she casting a look of displeasure upon him, " I cannot answer this question ; and I cannot conceive/' she added half angrily, " why you ask, what I do not know."

" Forgive me, sweet Marie/' whispered Klein, pressing her hand with deep emotion, " I will never question you so again, I hope you are not really angry with me ?"

" No, certainly not/' said she, taking her place, however, between the sofa and the tea table, and motioning the Doctor to take a seat opposite. " Do you know, Doctor/' said she sweetly, " I have got a little reward for you ; you shall see it by-and-by "

At this moment Mrs. von Horst entered, and they spent together, one of the three happy evenings of the week, without which, the Doctor could not endure the other four.

When they were about to separate, Klein said —

" Well, dear Miss von Horst, what about your promise'?"

Marie hastened away and soon returned with a paper, which she spread out on the table before the astonished eyes of her mother and the Doctor. It was a painting by her own hand, representing her mother's sick chamber. A feeble lamp lighted the room, Mrs. von Horst reclined upon a couch, pale, and, as it seemed, in the last decisive moment. At her feet sat Marie upon a stool, with her head leaning against the side of the bed ; Klein stood near the invalid and felt her pulse with one hand, while he held a watch in the other, from which he appeared to be counting the moments. His countenance expressed uneasiness and pity. The features were so correctly given upon the paper, that the Doctor and Mrs. von Horst could not sufficiently admire Marie's well-executed work.

" Indeed, Marie/' said her mother, who spoke as a judge of the art in which she herself had formerly excelled, " you deserve great praise. For whom is the picture ? w

" In case Mamma has no objection, I thought 99 she hesitated, on purpose.

LOYE AND DUTY.

" Well, speak out, my dear child ! I guess beforehand/'

" It is for you/' said Marie, handing it to Klein—" if you do not despise it."

" Oh ! Miss von Horst ! you make me infinitely happy !" exclaimed the Doctor, receiving the precious gift. " And if you will extend your kindness still further, and allow me to have the pleasure of driving you, at the sledging party to-morrow, I can only say, that fortune will have chosen me for her favourite this evening/'

Marie looked towards her mother with joyful surprise,

" That you may promise at once, my dear ; it is very necessary for you to go out sometimes/'

Marie nodded her head slightly to Klein, which was as good as an answer, and he then took his leave.

From easily conceived reasons, neither the mother nor daughter spoke one word on what had just passed. Mrs. Von Horst considered that the matter stood upon what is called " a proper footing." She had gained the end she wished, and certain about that which had disquieted her, she went to her bedroom, without touching upon the subject again.

Klein, on the contrary, spoke a great deal. It was his custom to commune with himself. As soon as he was at home and in his room, he threw off his coat, lit a cigar, sat down before the low fire, and began half aloud —

" Well, I have proved enough ! I did not wish to be deceived in what regards the happiness of my life ; and therefore, like a sensible man, I have not run after the first girl, at the sight of whose pretty face my heart beat faster than usual. Heaven be praised that I did not hastily fall into Julie St. Hal's net ! No, it is my good star which has led Marie across my path. Worthy Faye ! if he had not made over his practice to me during his absence, and if Mrs. von Horst had not been one of his patients, I should never have become acquainted with her. Marie stands every test — her heart is pure gold ; she is beautiful and innocent as an angel ! I still hear her childish and ingenuous answer; and then the painting! — I may certainly hope, for without some

LOVE AND DUTY.

feeling for me, she would never have drawn niy features so exactly ! Oh, you dear one, how happy will I not try to make you ! my whole life and soul shall belong to you ! I will not be silent any longer. But how shall I find a convenient opportunity of declaring myself?"

After a pause he exclaimed —

* That was a happy thought ! To-morrow, in returning from the sledging party. Oh, that will be excellent ! Nothing can be better ! To-morrow, then, I shall be — please God — an engaged man; and at Midsummer, I shall travel, with my beautiful bride, to Briinkenos to receive my father's blessing. I remember when I was at home last summer, how my father tried several times to bring Julie St. Hal and myself together. He promised, also, T believe, to use his interest with Mr. St. Hal for me. Now, heaven be praised ! I will let him know by the next post, that I shall not trouble him in that quarter. But it is high time to retire to rest, so that I may not look to-morrow morning as if I had been up the whole night/'

£0

The Doctor was quickly wrapped in the imagery of dreams. They did not appear, however, to be of the same nature as those with which he had fallen asleep ; for as he awoke in the morning, his first words were, " Oh awful \" — But after he had gazed around him for some time, he cried, in order at once to dispel the disagreeable remembrance of his night's dream — "Pooh! I am no fool, no old wife, to believe in dreams \" He got up, drank his coffee, dressed himself very carefully, and took his usual morning round ; after which he dined at the best hotel of the town in company with some merry companions, and thus, with clinking of glasses and lively conversation, he renewed his remembrances of the previous evening, and his hopes for that which was coming.

At three o'clock in the afternoon the market-place of the town of W was the

rendezvous for the young and elegant world. The sledges of different sorts arrived, the bells, rung, the horses neighed, the whips cracked, gentlemen gave their commands, postilions grumbled, arrangements were made to the

LOYE AND DUTY.

right and left, all life and bustle. At length the last sledge drove up.

" Why zounds, Klein! have you no lady V exclaimed bass and tenor voices from different sides.

" I shall soon procure one," answered he, " whilst you parade through the streets of the towrn, I will go and see about one."

" Ah \" said a stout gentleman, enveloped in wolfs fur, jokingly, " Klein is not of my opinion about the comforts of travelling alone. If I could loosen the ladies' tongues as well as I can their mantles and veils, wre should soon learn howr long a certain little lady outside the town will yet be wanting."

" Well guessed!" said Klein, "with your permission I will now seek the only lady missing."

And now all the sledges were put in motion. They were to meet at the northern gate. Klein drove off beforehand with his good steed.

" Step out, step out, my good racer, let us see if you are of Sleipner's* blood !" cried he gaily as he dashed round into Mrs. von Horst's courtyard.

* Odin's horse, described in the Scandinavian Mythology, as being the fleetest in the world, and having eight feet.

Marie stood already there, equipped for the journey; and her mamma put the last shawl to rights with many exhortations to take care of the night air, as the Doctor showed himself at the door.

" Excellent ! so soon ready, my dear young lady! The sledges will all be here immediately/'

Mrs. von Horst wished above all things to accompany them into the court, but Klein persuaded her from it, saying eagerly, " It is by no means necessary, my good madam, your health will not permit you to remain in the cold air. I have already made every provision for the young lady's comfort ;" and with the most winning smile in the world, Klein closed the door after him, and taking Marie's hand, he led her to the sledge ; but here our Doctor was so long occupied in buttoning and tucking in the sledge covering, that the whole caravan had passed long before he had finished.

" Make haste, dear Doctor Klein ; we shall be far behind all the others."

" There is no danger of that, dear Marie !

LOVE AND DUTY.

If you choose we will soon be before them all and quick as lightning they were off, and before Marie could take breath, they had passed half the sledges.

" Now you see that we have not remained behind !" were Klein's first words to his neighbour.

" Oh ! you have a most excellent trotter ; but who is yon gentleman driving alone in that double-seated sledge ?"

" Your old friend Doctor Faye. He is, however, so surrounded by cloaks, that one can hardly see his worthy self."

The stout gentleman now turned round.

" Listen/' said he to Klein. " Your new racer is certainly a good one, but he will not be able to keep pace with mine ; so at least, I

believe old D 1 said the other day. Are

you inclined for a bet ? The lake is only half a mile long, and the one that loses shall pay a bowl of punch, which we will drink on our return to the town."

Klein bent down to Marie, and said, "If you are afraid of such a rapid drive, I will decline it V

" Oh no, no, not in the least, if you are my driver," she answered, with much confidence.

" Well ! what do you say ?" cried Faje. They were now on the margin of the lake.

" Done !" cried Klein, and the two sledges started at once, at first in a common trot, which, however, became more and more rapid; until at last they only appeared like a rising vapour floating over the lake. The one was not a hair breadth before the other. However, as they approached the end of the lake, Klein became the winner ; his horse breathed three or four times before the other came up.

" Zounds ! I have lost the bowl," laughed Faye. " Well, well, it can't be helped !"

" You do not feel yourself unwell, I hope ?" asked Klein, anxiously, as he saw that Marie held her hand to her head.

" Nothing particular," answered she ; " however, I will confess that I am no heroine, and that I am very glad the race is over "

" My dear Marie, why did you not say so before? I would willingly have stopped at any moment. It vexes me extremely to have caused you uneasiness."

LOVE AND DUTY.

" Oh ! indeed, Doctor Klein, it is all right again. Could I, because I am rather childish, have deprived you of the pleasure of saving the honour of jour horse, which Doctor Faje wished to attack."

" Ah, my dear Miss von Horst, what is such a conquest to me, if I thereby cause you even a moment's pain? You must promise me you will always be candid with me, otherwise my good spirits will not return again to-day/7

" Oh, yes, yes, always !" answered Marie, and as a confirmation, she ventured slightly to return the Doctor's pressure of the hand, as he helped her out of the sledge.

In the middle of the great saloon at Halleberg, where the company had now arrived, stood a large round table with a smoking coffee pot and the necessary appurtenances^ thereunto belonging. A bright fire blazed in the large chimney; the ladies, with the gentlemen's help, had soon taken off their cloaks, and shaken the hoarfrost from their hair, and were now occupied with the enviable pleasure of helping themselves and their cavaliers from

o the handsome shining coffee pot, to its excellent contents.

They had seated themselves in a wide circle round the table, and all the town and country news, of course, as usual, exaggerated and improved, passed rapidly around.

Whilst they thus enjoyed themselves, the gentlemen amateurs conveyed some violins, flutes, &c, into the next room, and began to play for dancing.

LOVE AND DUTY.

Chapter III. The Meeting — The Ball

On the same day and at the same time at which the company mentioned in the preceding chapter were assembled in a happy circle round the coffee table, two sledges had nearly driven against each other before the Inn of Ingelstadt in Smaaland, so that the gentlemen who sat in them, from the violent shaking of the sledge shafts, had almost embraced a tree. The driver s firm foot, which, from old praiseworthy custom, hung far out, rested at the right time upon the ground, and thus, to the great satisfaction of both parties, the balance was again restored.

c 2

From one sledge sprang a tall handsome man, by whose easy and proud bearing, one could quickly recognize a gentleman of good birth. The small black moustache, and the cockade upon his travelling cap, showed that he was military. With one bound he was in the parlour, and whilst he rubbed his hands, which seemed to require it (for he was scarcely protected from the severe cold by a light blue mantle, and a green neckcloth), he began a conversation with the innkeeper, in which he discussed the important question as to whether his own horses were able to go on, so as not to be obliged to wait for a relay.

In the mean time the gentleman in the other sledge had so far extricated himself from his covering of bearskins, wolf's furs, and mantles, that he could give his orders. He was clothed in a closely fitting travelling dress and overshoes.

" Attend to what I tell you ! " cried a voice which seemed to brook no contradiction. " Take the bottles out of the box, then lift up that case of flasks there to the left ; be cautious — not so violently, you lubber ! Take

LOVE AND DUTY.

care ! Now then, that glass ; if you break anything, you understand ? " The speaker at the same time raised a pretty little whip which he held in his hand. " You shall have a taste of this/'

" Eh ! What I " answered the postilion offended. u I should think I had carried many a bottle and little box before now."

These words did not, however, reach the ear of the traveller, for by this time he stood at the door of the parlour, and greeted the host with a tolerably friendly — " Good day, mine host ; is there a chamber for mef

" Certainly, Sir, if I may say so, although it is not yet heated," answered he.

The gentleman in the cloak now turned round.

" What the devil, comrade, is that you ! "