The Kaleidoscope; or, Literary and Scientific Mirror/Series 2/Volume 4/Number 200/The Garret-Window

by Friedrich August Schulze

For other versions of this work, see Das Dachfenster.

THE GARRET-WINDOW.

[ORIGINAL TRANSLATION, BY SPERANS, FROM THE GERMAN OF FREDERIC LAUN.]

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(Concluded from our last.)

Chapter 20th. A Message.—I attempted a show of displeasure, but it did not answer the purpose; on the contrary, I had the mortification to perceive a general disposition to laugh and titter at the very moment I intended to rise in a pet; and, when I became aware of the cause, I could not help laughing myself, although I felt otherwise but little inclination for it. In the excess of my bad humour, I had not only demolished the tart which stood before me, but I had actually swallowed the entwined names, just as I had before unconsciously despatched several full bumpers which my complaisant neighbours had poured out for me. At that moment, a servant came to tell me that somebody wanted to speak to me, and I was very glad to escape from my purgatory, even for a short time. A girl was in waiting for me with the following note:

“I am under the absolute necessity of requesting a moment’s conversation with you, and I will thank you to call in the evening. Emma Stern.”

I read the paper with so much attention, and so many times over, that the girl must surely have thought me a very beginner in the noble art of reading. At last, I promised to come, and returned to the room in as great confusion as I had left it.

Chapter 21st. Curiosity on the stretch.—A great alteration had taken place. The collector and his daughter must have passed me unheeded, since I found them, at my return, on their places; and, apparently, in very good spirits. The young lady said that their coming so late must be entirely attributed to me; and she asked me whether behaviour such as mine was very usual in large towns? The eyes of the company were fixed on the fair examiner, and she related, with exquisite humour, all that happened in the course of the morning, including my overturning of her father, and my disappearance with the pretty embroiderer. The guests were thunderstruck with surprise, and I was so with rage; but the collector added, “Indeed this wicked girl of mine has no great cause to boast of her own conduct, however. He lifted up his glass, winked significantly at his daughter, and made her pledge him with a chinking of glasses, during which she-blushed and cast down her eyes. The curiosity of all the spectators was on the rack.

Chapter 22d. A Marriage.—After dinner, the Collector became a little more communicative, and he told us that his daughter and the son of an old friend had long been destined for each other; but that a recent quarrel between the two families had broken off the match; and that the present journey had been chiefly undertaken with the view to make Miss Ida forget her grief. The latter had, nevertheless, found means to inform her lover of her stay in town, and he had taken the earliest opportunity to join her. His own father had already relented; and it had not been particularly difficult to win also the Collector, by a declaration of unchanged mutual love and affection. After having listened to this explanation, I exclaimed, with tolerable composure, “Well! it is then settled in the book of destiny that I am to die a bachelor.” The smile with which I uttered this was, however, a little forced; for the two notes, which I had in my pocket, did materially interfere with my affected tranquillity and stoical indifference.

Chapter 23d. The Robbery.—The clock struck seven, and I hastened to my appointment. I found the aunt with Emma; and was told there must have been thieves in the room, since her best things were gone. I now recollected that the circumstance had already been pointed out to me by the landlord; but I had not particularly noticed it at the time. Ida had left the door open; and I might have laid the blame on her: but what right had I to find fault with a young inconsiderate girl, whilst I was guilty of so many oversights myself. I offered, of course, to replace every thing; but Emma said that there were many articles among the stolen ones which she could easily do without; and that the loss must be borne by herself, since it was owing to my keeping her company that the misfortune had happened: she only requested me to assist her with a small loan, which her situation made indispensible, and for which she could not apply to any body else.

Chapter 24th. The mercantile hand.—Whilst she was yet speaking, the pigeon came again with another paper tied to its neck. Emma carossed the little carrier, and took the note with a smile. After having read it, she said to the aunt, “It appears that a previous billet has fallen into wrong hands.” “Into mine,” I exclaimed, presenting it at the same time. “I am much obliged to you,” she said, without showing any emotion, “a young lady, to whom I give instructions, feels amused with this kind of correspondence, and I take pleasure in humouring her.” “A girl?” I asked, quite shocked at the assurance with which she told me such a falsehood; but she repeated her assertion. I lost all patience; and, not thinking it worth while to conceal my sentiments any longer, I plainly declared, that it would require a more implicit faith than I was master of to take so bold and mercantile a hand-writing for that of a young girl; “No more it is,” replied the accused, “my little friend has hurt her arm, and her father has been good enough to act as her secratary since the accident.” The assurance with which all this was advanced drove me almost mad, and I resolved to set aside all delicacy. Consequently, I said, “This kind father has then rather outstepped his commission, since he writes in his own name; ‘hasten into the arms of him who cannot live without you.’” “There I must beg your pardon, Mr. Haller, here is the note, and, according to your own remark, the writing is very good and legible; here stands ‘into the arms of her,’ as plain as letters can make it,” “Astonishing (I ejaculated, whilst looking at the note;) I have read it three times, and every time the fatal him presented itself to my eyes, though I cannot now deny that it is her.” Emma smiled again, and I rather think I looked a little foolish at the time. Suddenly my joy became as great as my vexation had been a moment before. In my ecstasy I overleapt all the barriers of form and precedent; and, coming to the point at once, I spoke as follows:—“Dear Emma! after all that has passed to-day, this dwelling must have become more unpleasant to you than ever, and you cannot too speedily change your residence; in my own there is far more room than I shall ever want for myself alone, and all our discussions about indemnifications or loans would be best settled by your becoming my wife.” “Mr. Haller,” retorted Emma, “you do me infinite honour; but I should prefer the declaration made on calm conviction, to one which seems to be the effect of spontaneous feeling.” “Never mind all that, dear girl, I have now seen enough to be convinced that you are the very person I want.” Four weeks afterwards we became man and wife, and neither of us repent of it. My friends are freed from the fear of seeing me die an old bachelor; and the pattern of embroidery, which I purchased from Emma on the memorable day, has been given as a present to the lady whose instigations had caused me to bespeak the garret, in which my happiness began.