CHAPTER V.
"Nevertheless," thought I, "there is the likeness. It is not chance. Whatis chance? There is no such thing; it is nonsense to talk of chance. Itmust be something higher!"
I was following my friend Sperver, deep in thought, who had now resumedhis walk down the corridor. The portrait of Hedwige, in all its artlesssimplicity, mingled in my mind with the face of Odile.
Suddenly Gideon stopped, and, raising my eyes, I saw that we werestanding before the count's door.
"Come in, Fritz," he said, "and I will give the dogs a feed. When themaster's away the servants neglect their duty; I will come for youby-and-by."
I entered, more desirous of seeing the young lady than the count herfather; I was blaming myself for my remissness, but there is nocontrolling one's interest and affections. I was much surprised tosee in the half-light of the alcove the reclining figure of the countleaning upon his elbow and observing me with profound attention. I wasso little prepared for this examination that I stood rather dispossessedof self-command.
"Come nearer, monsieur le docteur," he said in a weak but firm voice,holding out his hand. "My faithful Sperver has often mentioned your nameto me; and I was anxious to make your acquaintance."
"Let us hope, my lord, that it will be continued under more favourablecircumstances. A little patience, and we shall avert this attack."
"I think not," he replied. "I feel my time drawing near."
"You are mistaken, my lord."
"No; Nature grants us, as a last favour, to have a presentiment of ourapproaching end."
"How often I have seen such presentiments falsified!" I said with asmile.
He fixed his eyes searchingly upon me, as is usual with patientsexpressing anxiety about their prospects. It is a difficult moment forthe doctor. The moral strength of his patient depends upon the expressionof the firmness of his convictions; the eye of the sufferer penetratesinto the innermost soul of his consciousness; if he believes that he candiscover any hint or shade of doubt, his fate is sealed; depression setsin; the secret springs that maintain the elasticity of the spirit giveway, and the disorder has it all its own way.
I stood my examination firmly and successfully, and the count seemed toregain confidence; he again pressed my hand, and resigned himself calmlyand confidently to my treatment.
Not until then did I perceive Mademoiselle Odile and an old lady, nodoubt her governess, seated by her bedside at the other end of thealcove.
They silently saluted me, and suddenly the picture in the libraryreappeared before me.
"It is she," I said, "Hugh's first wife. There is the fair and noblebrow, there are the long lashes, and that sad, unfathomable smile. Oh,how much past telling lies in a woman's smile! Seek not, then, forunmixed joy and pleasure! Her smile serves but to veil untold sorrows,anxiety for the future, even heartrending cares. The maid, the wife, themother, smile and smile, even when the heart is breaking and the abyss isopening. O woman! this is thy part in the mortal struggle of human life!"
I was pursuing these reflections when the lord of Nideck began to speak--
"If my dear child Odile would but consult my wishes I believe my healthwould return."
I looked towards the young countess; she fixed her eyes on the floor, andseemed to be praying silently.
"Yes," the sick man went on, "I should then return to life; the prospectof seeing myself surrounded by a young family, and of pressinggrandchildren to my heart, and beholding the succession to my house,would revive me."
At the mild and gentle tone of entreaty in which this was said I feltdeeply moved with compassion; but the young lady made no reply.
In a minute or two the count, who kept his watchful eyes upon her, wenton--
"Odile, you refuse to make your father a happy man? I only ask for afaint hope. I fix no time. I won't limit your choice. We will go tocourt. There you will have a hundred opportunities of marrying withdistinction and with honour. Who would not be proud to win my daughter'shand? You shall be perfectly free to decide for yourself."
He paused.
There is nothing more painful to a stranger than these family quarrels.There are such contending interests, so many private motives, at work,that mere modesty should make it our duty to place ourselves out ofhearing of such discussions. I felt pained, and would gladly haveretired. But the circumstances of the case forbade this.
"My dear father," said Odile, as if to evade any further discussion, "youwill get better. Heaven will not take you from those who love you. If youbut knew the fervour with which I pray for you!"
"That is not an answer," said the count drily. "What objection can youmake to my proposal? Is it not fair and natural? Am I to be deprived ofthe consolations vouchsafed to the neediest and most wretched? You knowI have acted towards you openly and frankly."
"You have, my father."
"Then give me your reason for your refusal."
"My resolution is formed--I have consecrated myself to God."
So much firmness in so frail a being made me tremble. She stood like thesculptured Madonna in Hugh's tower, calm and immovable, however weak inappearance.
The eyes of the count kindled with an ominous fire. I tried to make theyoung countess understand by signs how gladly I would hear her give theleast hope, and calm his rising passion; but she seemed not to see me.
"So," he cried in a smothered tone, as if he were strangling--"so youwill look on and see your father perish? A word would restore him tolife, and you refuse to speak that one word?"
"Life is not in the hand of man, for it is God's gift; my word can beof no avail."
"Those are nothing but pious maxims," answered the count scornfully, "torelease you from your plain duty. But has not God said, 'Honour thyfather and thy mother?'"
"I do honour you," she replied gently. "But it is my duty not to marry."
I could hear the grinding and gnashing of the man's teeth. He layapparently calm, but presently turned abruptly and cried--
"Leave me; the sight of you is offensive to me!"
And addressing me as I stood by agitated with conflicting feelings--
"Doctor," he cried with a savage grin, "have you any violent malignantpoison about you to give me--something that will destroy me like athunderbolt? It would be a mercy to poison me like a dog, rather thanlet me suffer as I am doing."
His features writhed convulsively, his colour became livid.
Odile rose and advanced to the door.
"Stay!" he howled furiously--"stay till I have cursed you!"
So far I had stood by without speaking, not venturing to interferebetween Father and Daughter, but now I could refrain no longer.
"Monseigneur," I cried, "for the sake of your own health, for the sakeof mere justice and fairness, do calm yourself; your life is at stake."
"What matters my life? what matters the future? Is there a knife here toput an end to me? Let me die!"
His excitement rose every minute. I seemed to dread lest in some frenziedmoment he should spring from the bed and destroy his child's life. Butshe, calm though deadly pale, knelt at the door, which was standing open,and outside I could see Sperver, whose features betrayed the deepestanxiety. He drew near without noise, and bending towards Odile--
"Oh, mademoiselle!" he whispered--"mademoiselle, the count is such aworthy, good man. If you would but just say only, 'Perhaps--by-and-by--wewill see.'"
She made no reply, and did not change her attitude.
At this moment I persuaded the Lord of Nideck to take a few drops ofLaudanum; he sank back with a sigh, and soon his panting and irregularbreathing became more measured under the influence of a deep and heavyslumber.
Odile arose, and her aged friend, who had not opened her lips, went outwith her. Sperver and I watched their slowly retreating figures. Therewas a calm grandeur in the step of the young countess which seemed toexpress a consciousness of duty fulfilled.
When she had disappeared down the long corridor Gideon turned towards me.
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"Well, Fritz," he said gravely, "what is your opinion?"
I bent my head down without answering. This girl's incredible firmnessastonished and bewildered me.