Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: May 27, 2025
"God in Heaven!" said Eckbert softly to himself. "In what terrible solitude I have spent my life." "And Bertha was your sister." Eckbert fell to the ground. "Why did she desert me so deceitfully? Otherwise everything would have ended beautifully her probation-time was already over. She was the daughter of a knight, who had a shepherd bring her up the daughter of your father."
Very seldom was Eckbert visited by guests, and even when he was, almost no change on their account was made in the ordinary routine of his life. Frugality dwelt there, and Economy herself seemed to regulate everything. Eckbert was then cheerful and gay only when he was alone one noticed in him a certain reserve, a quiet distant melancholy.
Did he guess the name, or did he mention it designedly? And what, then, is this man's connection with my lot? The idea has occurred to me now and then that I merely imagine this accident but it is certain, only too certain. It sent a feeling of horror through me to have a strange person like that assist my memory. What do you say, Eckbert?"
Hugo now approached this man, and they talked together a long time secretly, while every now and then they glanced toward Eckbert. He, Eckbert, saw in this a confirmation of his suspicions; he believed that he had been betrayed, and a terrible rage overcame him. As he continued to stare in that direction, he suddenly saw Walther's head, all his features, and his entire figure, so familiar to him.
Eckbert followed him back to the city with a lighter heart. However, it seemed to be his damnation that his suspicions should awaken just at the time when he grew confidential; for they had no more than entered the hall when the glow of the many lights revealed an expression in his friend's features which he did not like.
As often as I tell this story I involuntarily become garrulous, and Eckbert, the only person to whom I have told it, has spoiled me by his attention. "I passed through several villages and begged, for I now felt hungry and thirsty. I helped myself along very well with the answers I gave to questions asked me.
Eckbert was strangely surprised; he met the knight's friendly advances more quickly than the other expected. They were now frequently together, the stranger did Eckbert all sorts of favors, scarcely ever did either of them ride out without the other, they met each other at all the parties in short, they seemed to be inseparable.
Eckbert could not understand his conduct. He went in to see his wife she lay in a severe fever and said that her story the night before must have excited her in this manner. After that evening Walther visited his friend's castle but rarely, and even when he did come he went away again after a few trivial words.
Walther accepted the proposal, whereupon wine and supper were brought in, the fire was replenished with wood, and the conversation of the two friends became more cheery and confidential. After the dishes had been cleared off, and the servants had gone out, Eckbert took Walther's hand and said: "Friend, you ought once to let my wife tell you the story of her youth, which is indeed strange enough."
Eckbert looked at his suffering wife with deep tenderness. He kept silent, but was meditating. Then he said a few comforting words to her and left the room. In an isolated room he walked back and forth with indescribable restlessness Walther for many years had been his sole male comrade, and yet this man was now the only person in the world whose existence oppressed and harassed him.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking